It’s wild how fast some of those charges disappear when you push back a little.
Seriously, that’s the part that always gets me. Like, if it can just vanish with a little pushback, was it ever real to begin with? Sometimes I feel like half these fees are just “let’s see if they notice” charges.
About sellers covering closing costs—yeah, it’s a tough sell right now. I’ve seen buyers try to get creative, like offering over asking and then asking for concessions, but in a hot market, most sellers just roll their eyes. The “free guac” analogy is spot on.
Curious though, for folks who actually got approved with a 580 credit score, did you end up paying a bunch more in random lender fees or higher rates? I’ve heard stories where the low score gets you in the door, but the terms are rough. Wondering if anyone managed to negotiate any of that down, or if it’s just baked in at that point.
Pushed back on some “processing” fees last year when I was helping a buddy buy with a 590 score. Here’s what happened:
- Lender tried to tack on a $400 “document prep” fee. I literally just asked what it covered, and poof—gone.
- The rate was definitely higher than what you see advertised, but the weirdest part was the random little charges. Flood cert, courier, “funding fee,” etc. Some stuck, some didn’t.
- We negotiated a couple down, but honestly, most of it felt baked in because of the low score. The rate itself was the real kicker, not just the fees.
It’s wild how much is negotiable if you just question stuff. But yeah, with a 580 or so, you’re not exactly in the driver’s seat. Sellers weren’t budging on concessions either—felt like we were fighting for scraps at closing. Still, sometimes even a small push gets you a better deal... or at least makes them sweat a little.
Yeah, I hear you—those junk fees are wild. I had to fight tooth and nail over a “processing” charge that made zero sense. It’s crazy how much they’ll drop if you just ask. The rate stings, but every bit helps, right? Good on you for pushing back.
You’re not wrong about those fees. I’ve seen buyers get tripped up by “document prep” costs or some vague “compliance” charge that nobody can actually explain. A lot of folks don’t realize how much is negotiable—sometimes you just have to push back and suddenly a $400 fee vanishes.
But here’s the thing: with a 580 credit score, you’re already kind of at the mercy of the lender’s terms. They know you’ve got fewer options, so they’ll try to sneak in every extra charge they can. I’ve watched deals fall through because buyers didn’t question the line items and got overwhelmed at closing. If you’re in that credit range, you need to be twice as vigilant.
It’s not just about the rate or the down payment—those little fees add up fast. I always tell people: scrutinize every page, ask what each charge is for, and don’t be afraid to walk away if it feels off. You’d be surprised how many “required” fees can suddenly disappear when you call their bluff.
I get what you’re saying about being at the mercy of the lender with a 580 score, but I still think people underestimate how much power they actually have—even in that situation. Like you said,
That’s spot on. I’ve seen folks with less-than-ideal credit push back on junk fees and get them reduced or dropped, just because they asked the right questions and didn’t let themselves get steamrolled.“you need to be twice as vigilant.”
But here’s where I get a little nervous: sometimes buyers get so focused on shaving off a few hundred bucks in fees that they forget the bigger picture. If you’re already stretching to qualify, is it really worth rushing into a mortgage with a high rate and a bunch of hidden costs? I always wonder if it’s smarter to pause, work on bumping up your score even just 20-30 points, and then come back with more leverage.
Has anyone here actually walked away from a deal because of these fees or terms? Or did you just grit your teeth and sign anyway? I’m genuinely curious how often people decide it’s not worth it.
