Totally agree on questioning fees—even at the eleventh hour. I've had clients shave off hundreds just by asking lenders to clarify vague charges. Zillow's okay as a starting point, but always cross-check with recent local comps to get a clearer picture.
Yeah, lenders can be pretty sneaky with those vague fees... I've caught a few myself just by asking for specifics. Zillow's handy, but you're right—nothing beats local comps for accuracy. Good reminder to stay vigilant, especially when it's your money on the line.
Totally agree about lenders slipping in those vague fees. A few years back when I refinanced my place, I remember going through the paperwork and noticing something labeled as a "processing fee." It wasn't huge, but it was enough to make me pause. When I asked the lender about it, they gave me some vague explanation about administrative costs. I pressed a bit more, and suddenly they were willing to waive it. Funny how quickly that changed once I questioned it directly.
And yeah, Zillow can be helpful for a quick glance, but I've found it's often off by quite a bit—especially in neighborhoods where homes vary widely in style or condition. When my neighbor sold his house last year, Zillow had it valued way lower than what he actually got. Local comps from recent sales really are the best way to get an accurate picture of your home's value.
One thing I've learned over the years is that you really have to advocate for yourself when dealing with financial institutions. They're not necessarily out to get you, but they're definitely looking out for their own bottom line first. Staying informed and asking questions—even if you feel like you're being annoying—is key. After all, it's your money and your home on the line... better safe than sorry.
"Funny how quickly that changed once I questioned it directly."
Haha, isn't that the truth? I've had similar experiences—it's almost like lenders have a secret "oops, you caught us" discount ready to go. Zillow's estimates can be pretty hit-or-miss, especially in quirky neighborhoods. I once saw a property valued way above market because Zillow didn't realize half the house was gutted for renovations. Definitely pays to dig deeper and trust local comps over algorithms...
Had a similar thing happen with Zillow myself. They valued one of my projects way off because they didn't factor in that we'd split the lot and sold half separately. Algorithms just can't keep up with local quirks or recent changes. Good on you for questioning it directly—sometimes that's all it takes to shake loose the real numbers. Always worth double-checking with someone who actually knows the neighborhood...
