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Solving Common Mortgage Problems

Even well-planned home loans can hit bumps, before closing or years later. Federal rules give you real protections in many common situations. Here’s what to do when one of these problems comes up.

Reviewed by Patriot Home Mortgage compliance, October 2026 · 3 min read

“My costs changed between the Loan Estimate and closing”

Within three business days of applying, you receive a Loan Estimate. At least three business days before closing, you receive a Closing Disclosure with your final terms. Federal rules limit how much certain costs can increase between the two:

  • Some fees can’t increase at all, such as most charges from the lender itself.
  • Some third-party fees can increase only within a set limit in total.
  • Other costs, such as prepaid interest and homeowners insurance, can change.

If certain terms change significantly, such as a large increase in your APR or a change in loan product, a new three-business-day review period begins before closing.

What to do: compare your Closing Disclosure with your Loan Estimate line by line and ask your loan officer to explain any increase. The CFPB’s Closing Disclosure explainer shows what to check.

“I can’t make my mortgage payment”

Job loss, illness or a family emergency can make payments hard. Act early.

  • Call your mortgage servicer right away, before you miss a payment if possible. Servicers have options such as forbearance, repayment plans and loan modifications.
  • Ask about foreclosure protections. Federal rules generally prevent a servicer from starting foreclosure until you’re more than 120 days behind, which gives time to apply for help.
  • Talk to a HUD-approved housing counselor, a free resource that can help you review options.

The CFPB explains the timeline in How quickly can foreclosure begin?

“I made a payment, but my servicer says it didn’t get it”

Servicers must credit a full payment to your account as of the day they receive it.

What to do:

  1. Gather proof, such as a bank statement or payment confirmation.
  2. Contact your servicer and ask them to research the payment.
  3. Send a written notice of error if it isn’t resolved. Servicers generally must acknowledge it within five business days and resolve it or explain their findings within 30 business days.

Most loans also have a grace period before a late fee, and a payment usually isn’t reported late to the credit bureaus until it’s 30 days past due. Check your loan documents for your terms.

“My escrow payment went up”

If your property taxes or homeowners insurance increase, your servicer adjusts your escrow payment, usually after an annual escrow analysis. Review the statement, confirm the tax and insurance figures, and ask about spreading a shortage over the coming year.

“I’m not sure who services my loan”

Loans are often transferred to a new servicer. You should receive notice from both the old and new servicer. Your monthly statement lists the current servicer and how to contact them.

Questions about your Loan Estimate or Closing Disclosure? Your loan officer can walk you through every line before you sign.

Talk to a Patriot loan officer

Every situation is different, and a short conversation is the quickest way to know what fits yours.

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This article is general information, not an offer to lend or a commitment to lend. All loans are subject to credit approval, underwriting and property valuation. Belem Servicing LLC, NMLS ID #715386 (NMLS Consumer Access).

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