"Also, timing matters. It's usually easier to negotiate these costs earlier in the process rather than waiting until you're close to closing."
Good points overall, but I've actually found the opposite can sometimes be true. When I refinanced last year, I waited until closer to closing—when the lender had already invested time and resources into my application—and they seemed more willing to budge on fees to keep me from walking. Maybe it depends on the lender or situation...anyone else had luck negotiating late in the game?
I've seen that happen occasionally, but it's definitely not a sure thing. Waiting until late can work if the lender really wants your business, but I've also had clients try this and end up stuck because the lender called their bluff...so tread carefully.
Agreed, it's a gamble. I've seen it work, but lenders aren't dumb—they know when you're bluffing. Another angle worth considering is negotiating upfront by leveraging competing offers. Anyone here tried that route successfully? Curious how it compares...
Tried the competing offers thing once... felt like playing poker with sunglasses on backwards. 😂 It did work, sorta, shaved off a tiny bit—but honestly, lenders see through it pretty quick. Anyone had better luck or am I just terrible at bluffing?
Haha, I feel this! I tried the same trick once and felt like a kid caught sneaking cookies—awkward and totally busted. 😅 Got maybe a quarter percent knocked off, but honestly, it wasn't worth the cringe factor. I think lenders have some sort of sixth sense for bluffing... or maybe I'm just terrible at poker too. Either way, I've had better luck just shopping around upfront and skipping the drama altogether.
