Honestly, I get where you’re coming from, but not every fee is negotiable or “random.” Some are lender or government requirements, and those can’t just be shaved off. It’s smart to ask, but sometimes there’s not much wiggle room. Just depends on the fee.
I get that some fees are set in stone, but I still think it’s worth questioning every single line item. When I got my estimate, there were “processing” and “admin” fees that seemed kind of vague. I pushed back and actually got one reduced. Maybe not everything’s negotiable, but you never know unless you ask.
Maybe not everything’s negotiable, but you never know unless you ask.
That’s been my experience too. When I refinanced last year, I went over every single fee with a fine-tooth comb. Some of them were non-negotiable, but I did manage to get the “courier fee” knocked off after asking what it was actually for (turns out, nothing). It’s a bit awkward pushing back, but those little charges add up fast. I’d say it’s worth the hassle, even if you only save a couple hundred bucks. Better in your pocket than theirs, right?
I hear you on the awkwardness of pushing back—felt the same way when I bought my place a few years ago. The closing disclosure was like reading a foreign language, but I made myself question every random fee. The “processing” and “document prep” ones especially got under my skin. Turns out, a couple were just standard line items that nobody ever challenged. Once I asked, the lender actually dropped one and reduced another. It wasn’t a fortune, but it covered my moving truck.
Honestly, I think a lot of buyers just assume they have to accept whatever’s on the sheet. But if you’re willing to be a little persistent (and maybe a tiny bit annoying), you can shave off more than you’d expect. Not everything’s up for debate, but it’s wild what you can get if you just ask. Dallas market’s competitive, but that doesn’t mean you have to roll over on all the extras.
Totally get what you mean about those random fees—when I bought last year, I actually made a spreadsheet just to track what each line item was supposed to cover. Ever notice how “courier” or “wire transfer” fees sometimes pop up more than once? I asked my lender if they could explain, and suddenly one of them disappeared. Made me wonder how often people just pay without questioning. Did you ever get pushback from your agent or lender for asking? I felt a little awkward, but honestly, it saved me a few hundred bucks. Worth the hassle, in my book.
