Honestly, I get where you’re coming from about questioning the numbers, but I can’t help feeling like the whole “just keep negotiating” thing has its limits. I pushed back with two different lenders, and sure, they knocked off some fees, but after a point it felt like I was just getting a runaround—like they had a script for every question. Maybe it’s just me, but sometimes I wonder if we’re actually saving real money or if they’re just shuffling things around to make it look better on paper.
And yeah, walking away is tough when you’ve already sunk hours into paperwork and calls. But at some point, I feel like you gotta draw a line—if they’re not upfront from the start, what else are they hiding? I’d rather walk than feel like I’m being hustled, even if it stings a bit. Maybe that’s naive, but I’d rather be out a few hours than locked into a 30-year mistake.
I totally get that frustration. I remember when I was shopping for my first mortgage, it felt like every lender had a different way of hiding fees—one would drop the origination fee but then “adjust” the rate or tack on some weird processing charge. After a while, I started asking for the full loan estimate in writing before I even bothered with more paperwork. If they hesitated or got cagey, that was my cue to move on. It’s a pain, but I’d rather deal with a few wasted afternoons than end up regretting it for decades. Sometimes you just gotta trust your gut when something feels off.
Honestly, you nailed it with asking for the full loan estimate upfront. I’ve seen way too many buyers get tripped up by “discounted” fees that just pop up somewhere else in the paperwork. One thing I’d add—don’t just compare the interest rates. Look at the APR, since that actually factors in most of those extra costs. Sometimes a lender will advertise a super low rate, but the APR tells a different story once you see all the fees baked in.
Also, it’s worth double-checking if there are prepayment penalties or weird lock-in periods. I’ve had clients who thought they were getting a deal, only to find out they’d get dinged for refinancing or paying off early. It’s tedious, but reading the fine print (or at least skimming for red flags) can save a lot of headaches.
And yeah, if a lender gets weird about transparency, that’s usually a sign to walk. There are enough options out there that you don’t need to settle for someone who’s dodgy about the numbers.
Couldn’t agree more about the APR—learned that lesson the hard way. When I bought my last place, I got sucked in by a “no lender fee” promo, but then they padded the title fees and appraisal costs. Ended up paying more than if I’d just gone with a higher rate and lower fees. Also, those prepayment penalties are sneaky. If you’re even thinking about refinancing down the road, you gotta check for that. Some lenders will bury it deep in the paperwork, hoping you won’t notice. Transparency should be non-negotiable, honestly. If they’re cagey, I’m out.
I get where you’re coming from, but sometimes those “no lender fee” deals can actually work out if you’re planning to stay put for a long time. Have you ever tried negotiating the third-party fees directly? I’ve seen buyers save a chunk just by shopping around for title or appraisal services. Not every lender is shady, but yeah, reading the fine print is a pain...
