I think I may have answered your question on a recent blog post. You may want to take a look. Here is the link. http://thesomersteam.activerain.com/

j...i answered your other post as well. here is the scoop. when you buy a property you need a "pre-approval" to show the seller you're "ready" to buy. the good faith estimate from your lender shows you your closing cost from the lender and your interest rate etc....the estimate from your real estate agent includes estimates for the customary closing cost. if you are comfortable with the loan your lender has given you than stick with him. your agent does not need the good faith estimate, if your confident with your real estate agent you may want to share the good faith est. with him to review the charges. you need a preapproval and an earnest deposit to go with your written offer to show the seller/bank that you are ready, willing and able to buy the property and to show you have enough money to cover the closing/settlement cost.
these are questions you need to ask your agent, if you're not comfortable asking these questions to your agent, get a new real estate agent! one that can answer the question and guide you through the home buying process.

Hello, J,

It is PA Law that a LENDER MUST provide a written Good Faith Estimate to you. I think it is within 72 Hours. That way, they are making a full disclosure of what the costs and charges are. You can always check with the PA Dept of Banking to confirm this.

Carol Murray Cei
ReMax Millennium
215-643-9661
carolcei@remax.net

I am unfamiliar with Pennsylvania law, but it is always a good idea to have everything in writing...verbal contracts are not usually enforceable should you run into problems later on. Best to have in writing so all parties are protected.