Yeah, I hear you on those “rush” fees. Lenders love to dangle that carrot, but in my experience, fast-closing rarely means less hassle—just more money out the door. I’ve had a couple refis where the timeline was “expedited,” but underwriters still dragged their feet and asked for last-minute docs. Unless you’re up against a rate lock or selling deadline, I’d pocket the savings too. No sense paying extra just to get the same old paperwork scramble.
I get where you’re coming from—those “rush” fees can feel like a money grab, especially when the process still drags on behind the scenes. But I’ve actually seen a few situations where paying for a faster close made a real difference. There was a client last year who was up against a rate lock expiration during a pretty volatile week. Rates jumped almost half a point right after. They paid the expedited fee, closed in nine days, and honestly, it saved them thousands over the life of the loan.
That said, I wouldn’t recommend it for everyone. If you’re not facing a hard deadline or a big market shift, it’s usually not worth the extra cost. Still, sometimes the peace of mind is valuable—like if you’re coordinating a sale and purchase back-to-back. The paperwork scramble doesn’t always go away, but at least you’re not stuck waiting for weeks while things are in limbo.
I do agree, though, that “expedited” doesn’t always mean “easier.” Underwriting seems to have its own internal clock, no matter what you pay. But in certain cases—tight timelines, shifting rates, or competitive buying situations—it can be the lesser of two evils. Just have to weigh the cost against what you stand to lose if things drag out.
Funny thing is, I’ve also seen folks pay for the rush, then end up delayed anyway because of missing docs or a slow appraisal. It’s never a guarantee. I guess it just comes down to how much risk you’re willing to take on timing. Sometimes slow and steady really does win the race... unless you’re about to lose your rate or your dream house.
That line about underwriting having its own clock made me laugh—so true.
I’m in the middle of my first purchase and the wait is honestly the worst part. I keep thinking, is there a magic fee that makes the paperwork fairy show up faster? But yeah, paying extra for “expedited” sounds risky if it’s not a sure thing. Has anyone ever had it actually backfire and end up taking longer?Underwriting seems to have its own internal clock, no matter what you pay.
I keep thinking, is there a magic fee that makes the paperwork fairy show up faster?
If there is, I haven’t found it. I tried the “rush” option once (not for a purchase, but for a refi), and honestly, it felt like I just paid for a shinier version of the same waiting room. The lender promised a 10-day close, but then the underwriter flagged some random deposit in my bank account and everything ground to a halt. In the end, it took almost three weeks—so much for “expedited.”
Here’s how I approach it now, for what it’s worth:
1. **Ask for a realistic timeline upfront.** I get the urge to pay extra for speed, but I’ve found it’s better to pin the lender down on what’s actually possible. Sometimes their “rush” is just marketing.
2. **Get your docs together early.** Underwriting loves to ask for the same thing twice. I keep a folder with pay stubs, tax returns, bank statements, and even explanations for weird deposits (like that $50 Venmo from Aunt Linda).
3. **Stay on top of communication.** If they email or call, I try to respond within the hour. It doesn’t guarantee speed, but at least I’m not the bottleneck.
4. **Don’t assume paying more = faster.** Like you said, “expedited” can backfire. I’ve heard stories where the rush fee just means your file gets a sticker, but the underwriter is still buried in other files.
5. **Prepare for random delays.** Appraisals, title searches, even holidays can throw things off. I try to build in a buffer so I’m not panicking if things slip by a few days.
I get the temptation to throw money at the problem, but underwriting seems immune to bribes (legal ones, anyway). The only “magic” I’ve found is being annoyingly organized and persistent. Not glamorous, but it beats refreshing my inbox every five minutes.
If you do go for the 10-day close, just make sure you know what happens if they miss the deadline. Some lenders will refund the rush fee, others just shrug. Fine print matters more than ever with these “guaranteed” timelines.
Anyway, hang in there. The waiting is brutal, but you’ll get through it. And then you can join the club of people who laugh about the “underwriting clock”... after the fact, of course.
I’ve had similar experiences—paying for “priority” processing just meant my file got a colored tab, but the actual review still took ages. I do wonder if anyone’s actually had a lender stick to a 10-day close, or if it’s just marketing fluff. Has anyone here managed to pull it off without some last-minute hiccup? I’m skeptical, but maybe I’m just jaded after too many delays.
