Every time I try, they say it’s non-negotiable since it goes to a third party.
I get where you’re coming from on the appraisal fee. Every lender I’ve dealt with has said it’s a hard pass—strictly third-party, non-negotiable, blah blah. Honestly, in my experience, that’s mostly true. The only time I saw a break was when a lender offered a promo to reimburse the appraisal at closing, but that was baked into their marketing budget, not actual negotiation.
If you’re set on saving there, shopping around for lenders running promos is about the only angle I’ve seen work. Otherwise, it’s usually one of the few fees that’s just locked in.
Yeah, that’s been my experience too. The appraisal fee is just one of those things you can’t really wiggle on.
—I’ve seen that once or twice, but it’s rare. Sometimes credit unions will throw in a deal, but it’s hit or miss.“shopping around for lenders running promos is about the only angle I’ve seen work”
I’ve noticed the same thing—appraisal fees are almost always non-negotiable, no matter how much you push. Every now and then, a lender will cover it as part of a promo, but in my experience, those offers are usually offset somewhere else in the loan terms. Credit unions sometimes play ball, but it’s unpredictable. If you’re refinancing, it’s worth asking, but I wouldn’t bank on it saving you much.
I’ve run into the same wall with appraisal fees. Last time I refinanced, I tried to negotiate, but the lender wouldn’t budge. They did offer a “credit” elsewhere, but when I looked closer, the rate was a bit higher than competitors. It’s almost like they shuffle the costs around. I’ve had slightly better luck with local credit unions, but even then, it’s hit or miss. At the end of the day, I just factor the appraisal fee in as a given and focus on the bigger numbers.
Yeah, the appraisal fee dance is a classic. I’ve tried haggling too, but it’s like arguing with a brick wall—just not happening. I hear you on the “credit” offers; they always seem to sneak that cost back in somewhere else. At this point, I just treat it like the cost of admission and focus on the stuff that really moves the needle, like the rate and closing costs. If you ever find a lender that actually waives the appraisal without making it up elsewhere, let me know... I’ll buy a lottery ticket that day.