I’ve had to sign a stack of physical docs at closing more than once, even when everything else was digital. It’s like they’re allergic to letting go of paper for the “important” stuff. My advice—always ask for a breakdown of every fee before you get to the table. Sometimes they’ll drop the weird ones if you just question them. It’s a bit of a dance, but worth it to avoid paying for a courier that’s just delivering... pixels?
It’s like they’re allergic to letting go of paper for the “important” stuff.
You’re not wrong about the paper obsession. I once had a client who joked that signing at closing felt like buying a house and adopting a tree at the same time. The courier fees are wild too—one time, we asked what exactly was being delivered, and the answer was literally “the original wet signature.” It’s 2024, but some lenders still treat DocuSign like it’s black magic. I do think pushing back on fees is underrated, though. Half the time, they can’t even explain what you’re paying for...
It’s 2024, but some lenders still treat DocuSign like it’s black magic.
That line cracked me up. I swear, the stack of papers at my closing was taller than my kid. And yeah, those “courier fees” are wild—half the time it’s just someone driving across town with a single piece of paper. You’re spot on about questioning fees. I pushed back on a few and magically, they disappeared. It’s like they just throw stuff at the wall to see what sticks... Don’t let them intimidate you.
Pushing back on those random fees is key. I remember my lender tried to sneak in a “processing fee” that made zero sense—gone as soon as I questioned it. You’re right, half this stuff is negotiable if you just ask. Don’t let them steamroll you.
That’s exactly it—most people don’t realize how much is actually up for negotiation. I’ve seen lenders tack on “document prep” or “courier” fees that are just fluff. If you push back, they’ll often drop them without a fight. It’s wild how much you can save just by reading the fine print and not being afraid to ask questions. I’d say, don’t assume anything’s set in stone until you’ve challenged it at least once.
