I’d rather be the annoying question-asker than hand over cash for nothing.
Same here—asking questions saved me a few hundred bucks during my refi. I started making a checklist of every fee and just went down the list, one by one. Has anyone ever had luck negotiating down the appraisal fee, or is that one always set in stone?
I’ve wondered about the appraisal fee too. I tried to negotiate it once, but the lender said it’s a third-party thing and “non-negotiable.” Still, I’ve heard some folks get a break if they shop around or if the lender has a preferred appraiser. Maybe it depends on the area or the lender’s flexibility? I always ask, just in case—sometimes they’ll at least explain what’s behind the number.
I tried to negotiate it once, but the lender said it’s a third-party thing and “non-negotiable.”
- Appraisal fees are usually set by the appraiser, not the lender. Lenders can’t just slash the price, even if you ask nicely (trust me, I’ve tried for clients).
- Sometimes, if you’re using a smaller local lender, they might have a bit more pull with their preferred appraisers—but don’t bank on it.
- Shopping around rarely helps since most lenders use appraisal management companies now. It’s like trying to haggle at Starbucks...not much luck.
- Always ask for a breakdown though. At least you’ll know what you’re paying for, and sometimes there’s a weird admin fee in there that can be trimmed.
I get what you’re saying, but when I refinanced last year, I actually called a couple of local lenders and one of them did offer to “review” the appraisal fee. Not saying they slashed it in half or anything, but they dropped a $75 processing charge that was bundled in. Maybe it depends on the area or how busy the appraisers are? Either way, it never hurts to ask—sometimes there’s a little wiggle room, even if they act like there isn’t.
That’s interesting, and I’ve actually had a similar experience. When I bought my first place, I was convinced all those “non-negotiable” fees were set in stone. Turns out, not so much. Like you said, sometimes it’s just about asking. I remember one lender who wouldn’t budge on the appraisal itself but quietly took $100 off the origination fee after I pointed out a competitor’s lower rate. It wasn’t a huge win, but every bit helped.
Either way, it never hurts to ask—sometimes there’s a little wiggle room, even if they act like there isn’t.
That’s been my takeaway too. I do think it depends a lot on the market and how busy everyone is. When rates are low and lenders are swamped, they’re less likely to negotiate. But if things are slow, suddenly there’s more “flexibility.” I’ve also noticed that smaller, local lenders seem more open to these conversations than the big national banks. Maybe it’s because they’re trying harder to win your business?
One thing I’d add—sometimes the fees are bundled in ways that aren’t super obvious. I once got a “credit report fee” that was double what another lender quoted. When I asked about it, they said it included some “administrative review” that wasn’t really necessary. After a little back and forth, they dropped it. It’s not always about haggling over the big numbers; sometimes it’s those sneaky little charges that add up.
I wouldn’t say you can always get a discount, but it’s worth being persistent and asking questions. Worst case, they say no. Best case, you save enough for a nice dinner out after closing... or at least a pizza during move-in week.
