Couldn’t agree more—it’s wild how many of those “admin” or “processing” fees are just fluff. I’ve seen lenders drop $400+ off the top just because I asked what a charge was for. They’re banking on most folks being too stressed or overwhelmed to challenge the line items. Not saying every fee is bogus, but you’d be surprised how much is negotiable if you’re willing to push back a bit. It’s your money—act like it.
They’re banking on most folks being too stressed or overwhelmed to challenge the line items.
You nailed it—there’s a reason those fees are buried in paperwork thicker than a Texas summer. I’ve had clients who thought “processing fee” meant someone was hand-crafting their loan documents with artisanal care. Spoiler: it’s usually just a line item someone added years ago and nobody ever questioned.
To be fair, not every fee is smoke and mirrors. Some are legit, like appraisal or credit report costs. But you’re spot on—if you don’t ask, you’ll never know what’s actually negotiable. I’ve seen lenders “find” hundreds of dollars in savings just because a buyer politely asked for an explanation. It’s wild how fast things can change when you start poking around.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, just remember: the worst they can say is no. And sometimes, they’ll surprise you and say yes... or at least knock off enough to buy yourself a decent steak dinner after closing.
if you don’t ask, you’ll never know what’s actually negotiable
- 100% agree. I refinanced last year and just asked, “What’s this admin fee for?” They dropped it by $200 without blinking.
- Not every fee is a scam, but man, some are just... creative accounting.
- My tip: if it sounds weird or vague, question it. Worst case, you get a “no.” Best case, steak dinner like you said.
Funny how just asking can save you hundreds. I’ve seen lenders tack on “processing” or “courier” fees that are basically just extra profit. Once, I questioned a $150 “document review” charge and—poof—it disappeared. If it sounds fishy, it probably is.
If it sounds fishy, it probably is.
Yeah, I’ve noticed that too. My lender tried to sneak in a $95 “wire fee” and when I asked what it was for, they just kinda shrugged and said they’d remove it. Makes me wonder how much people pay without realizing... Gotta read every line, even if your eyes glaze over.
