Seen that plenty—once had a lender try to sneak in a “processing review” fee on top of the usual stuff. When I asked for a breakdown, they dropped it right away. Always worth a second look; those extras can really pile up over time.
That’s a great catch—those little fees can really sneak up on you if you’re not careful. I always tell folks, don’t be shy about asking for a full breakdown. Did you notice any other odd charges, or was that the only one they tried to slip in? Sometimes it’s just a “review” fee, other times it’s something like a “courier” fee that makes you scratch your head.
Those “courier” fees always crack me up—like, are they hand-delivering my paperwork on horseback? I’ve seen some wild ones over the years. Once, a client got charged a “document preparation” fee and a “processing” fee, which sounded suspiciously like the same thing with a fancier name. Sometimes it’s just creative labeling, but it all adds up.
Did you get a Loan Estimate early on, or did these extra charges pop up closer to closing? I’ve noticed some lenders are pretty upfront, while others seem to wait until you’re already emotionally invested in the house before springing the surprises. It’s almost like they’re banking on you being too tired to argue by that point. Ever feel like you need a decoder ring just to read those disclosures?
Yeah, those “courier” fees are wild—sometimes I joke they must be sending the docs by carrier pigeon. I’ve seen lenders tack on a “funding fee” and a “wire fee” that basically mean the same thing. It’s frustrating, especially when you think you’ve budgeted for everything. The Loan Estimate is supposed to lay it all out early, but not every lender is as transparent as they should be. I always tell folks: if something looks weird or redundant, ask for a breakdown. You’re not being difficult—you’re just making sure you know what you’re paying for.
The Loan Estimate is supposed to lay it all out early, but not every lender is as transparent as they should be.
Yeah, transparency is hit or miss. I’ve seen “processing” and “admin” fees pop up too, and half the time no one can explain what’s actually being processed or administered. I get that lenders need to cover costs, but the overlap gets shady fast. Has anyone ever managed to negotiate these down, or are they mostly non-negotiable in your experience?
