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Transfer Of PropertyClosing_and_escrowMEDIUM

A California buyer's lender requires an impound account for property taxes and homeowner's insurance as a condition of the loan. Which of the following most accurately describes what the buyer will owe into the impound account at closing?

Correct Answer

D) An initial deposit based on the next upcoming tax and insurance installments, plus a lender cushion of up to two months per item as permitted by RESPA

Under the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (RESPA, 12 U.S.C. §2609) and its implementing regulation Regulation X (12 C.F.R. §1024.17), lenders may require an initial impound deposit at closing sufficient to cover the next upcoming tax and insurance installments, plus a cushion not to exceed two months' worth of each escrow item. The total initial deposit will vary depending on how soon the next tax or insurance payment is due, but the two-month cushion per item is the statutory maximum the lender may collect above the projected disbursement amount.

Answer Options
A
A deposit equal to 12 months of taxes and insurance, collected upfront to pre-fund the entire first year
B
No deposit at closing, because impound contributions begin with the first monthly mortgage payment
C
A deposit equal to the seller's existing impound balance, transferred directly from the seller's account
D
An initial deposit based on the next upcoming tax and insurance installments, plus a lender cushion of up to two months per item as permitted by RESPA

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Related Topics & Key Terms

Key Terms:

impound_accountescrow_reservesRESPAclosing_costsproperty_taxes
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