Totally agree, questioning those fees can make a difference. When I bought my place in Oak Cliff, I noticed a “processing fee” that seemed weirdly high. I just asked what it was for, and suddenly it dropped by $150. Didn’t expect them to budge, honestly. Not every fee is up for debate, but if something looks off, it’s worth poking at. Sometimes they’ll just shave it down to keep things moving.
Definitely seeing the same thing with closing costs lately. Here’s what I tell folks:
- Lender fees, “processing” or “admin” charges—these can be surprisingly flexible. If something feels padded, it probably is.
- Title company fees are a mixed bag. Some are set in stone, but others have wiggle room, especially if you’re using their preferred partners.
- Don’t forget about prepaid items (taxes, insurance). Those aren’t negotiable, but sometimes people lump them in and think they’re all just “fees.”
- If you’re not sure what a fee is for, ask. Even if they don’t budge on the amount, they’ll at least have to explain it.
I’ve seen buyers save hundreds just by being a bit nosy. Worst case, you get peace of mind knowing what you’re paying for. Best case...you keep more cash in your pocket for that first Home Depot run.
Title: Closing Costs in Dallas—Not Always as Flexible as You’d Think
I get where you’re coming from on negotiating lender and title fees, but I’d caution folks not to expect too much movement, especially in the current Dallas market. Lenders are under a lot of regulatory scrutiny, and while some “junk” fees can be shaved down, most reputable lenders have pretty standardized costs these days. I’ve had clients push back on admin charges only to find out they’re non-negotiable because of company policy.
Title companies can be a bit more flexible, but again, it depends who you’re working with. If you’re using the seller’s preferred title company, there’s usually less room to negotiate than people think. I’ve seen more success when buyers shop around for their own title company, but that’s not always practical.
Totally agree on asking about every line item, though. Even if you can’t get it reduced, at least you’ll know what you’re paying for—and sometimes just questioning a fee makes the other side double-check if it’s really necessary. But expecting to save hundreds every time might set folks up for disappointment. Sometimes peace of mind is the real win.
I remember when I bought my place in Dallas a few years back, I thought I’d be able to haggle down every little fee—didn’t really work out that way. The lender barely budged, and the title company only shaved off a tiny bit after a lot of back and forth. It honestly felt like more trouble than it was worth sometimes. But I agree, just asking questions made me feel more in control, even if I didn’t end up saving much. At least there weren’t any surprise charges at closing... which is a win in my book.
At least there weren’t any surprise charges at closing... which is a win in my book.
Honestly, that's half the battle right there. People always think they can negotiate every fee, but in Dallas, most lenders and title companies just aren’t that flexible. Still, asking questions is key—sometimes just pushing back a little uncovers stuff you wouldn’t have noticed otherwise. Even if you don’t save much, at least you know what you’re paying for.
