Yep, good catch on those sneaky fees. Quick tip for anyone going through this: First, get a detailed breakdown of every single charge—don't accept vague labels. Second, politely question anything that sounds off or unclear. And third, remember you're allowed to push back a bit. Most reps won't fight you too hard on minor fees if you're calm but firm...works like a charm most times.
Those sneaky fees are the worst, honestly. When I refinanced last year, I swear they tried to slip in a "document preparation fee" that was like $150. Pretty sure that's just code for "we pressed print and stapled some papers." 😂 Anyway, you're totally right about politely pushing back. I just casually asked, "Hey, what's this doc prep thing exactly?" and the rep paused awkwardly before mumbling something about standard procedure. After a little friendly back-and-forth, it magically disappeared from the final statement...go figure.
Honestly though, half the battle is just paying attention and being chill but persistent. They count on us not reading the fine print or feeling too awkward to question stuff. Don't let them get away with it—your wallet will thank you later.
Haha, reminds me of when I bought my first place. They slipped in some vague "administrative fee"—I asked what exactly it covered, and the guy literally said, "um... paperwork and stuff?" Yeah, no thanks. It disappeared pretty quick after that awkward convo.
