Totally get what you mean about the “courier fee”—I’ve seen that pop up on digital-only deals and it always makes me roll my eyes. It’s like, are they mailing me a gold-plated flash drive or what? The fine print is where they get you, for sure. I’ve had clients who thought they were getting a killer rate, but once we dug into the disclosures, the fees made it a wash. Ever notice how some lenders use different names for the same charges just to confuse people? It’s almost like they want you to give up and just sign.
Had to laugh at the “gold-plated flash drive” bit—seriously, where do they come up with these fees? I remember when I was shopping around last year, one lender tried to label their doc prep fee as a “compliance charge.” Same thing, just a fancier name. I’ve started making a spreadsheet to compare charges line by line. It’s a pain, but at least you know what you’re paying for. The trick is not getting worn down by all the jargon and just signing because you’re tired.
The trick is not getting worn down by all the jargon and just signing because you’re tired.
That’s the real battle, isn’t it? I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve had to pause mid-signature and double-check some random “processing” or “courier” fee. I actually keep a folder of closing docs from previous deals just to cross-reference what’s “normal” and what’s just creative labeling.
One tip that’s helped me: ask for a full fee breakdown before you even get to the closing table. If they can’t explain a charge in plain English, I flag it. Sometimes they’ll drop or reduce fees just because you pushed back. Not always, but it’s worth a shot.
Curious—has anyone ever actually gotten a lender to remove or lower one of those weird fees? I’ve had mixed luck. Sometimes they’re stubborn, sometimes they fold if you show them a competitor’s quote.
I hear you on the stubborn lenders. Had one try to sneak in a “document handling fee” last year—$175 for something that literally didn’t exist on my previous closings. I pushed back and, after some awkward silence, they cut it in half. Not a total win, but better than nothing. It’s wild how much is negotiable if you just ask, but man, it does wear you down. Keeping those old docs handy is smart—I’ve started doing the same. Helps to have receipts when someone tries to get creative with the fees.
I’ve seen that “document handling fee” pop up more than a few times, and every time I wonder if someone just made it up on the spot. It’s almost like there’s a secret menu of fees they pull out when they think no one’s looking. Good on you for pushing back—most folks don’t even realize you can question those charges, or just feel awkward about it.
What gets me is how inconsistent these fees are from one lender to another. I’ve had clients bring in closing docs from two years ago, and the line items are completely different. Makes you wonder if there’s really any rhyme or reason, or if it’s just a “let’s see what sticks” approach. That said, sometimes there actually is a legit reason for a new fee, but... not usually for “document handling.” If you ever see a “courtesy fee,” that’s another one that always makes me laugh. Courtesy for whom, exactly?
Anyway, keeping your old docs is smart. It’s a lot easier to call out nonsense when you’ve got proof in hand.
