Title: When A Mortgage Quote Makes You Go “Hmm…”: What’s Your Dealbreaker?
At what point do you just walk away from a lender? For me, if they can’t give a straight answer or start dodging, that’s usually enough.
That’s a solid gut check. I’ve seen folks get so focused on snagging the lowest rate that they’ll overlook these weird little red flags, but honestly, transparency is non-negotiable for me. Had a client once who was promised “no hidden fees,” but every time we asked for a fee sheet, another charge would pop up under a new name. We walked. Sometimes the peace of mind is worth more than shaving off an eighth of a percent. If they’re cagey now, imagine what closing day looks like...
Title: When A Mortgage Quote Makes You Go “Hmm…”: What’s Your Dealbreaker?
I get the whole “walk if they’re not transparent” thing, but is it always that black and white? I mean, I’m new to this, but every lender I’ve talked to so far has had at least one thing that felt a little off. Sometimes it’s just the way they explain stuff, or maybe they’re just not great at communication. Does that always mean they’re hiding something, or could it just be bad customer service?
I’ve had a couple of quotes where the numbers didn’t add up right away, but after pushing back and asking for details, they actually broke it down for me. It was annoying, yeah, but not necessarily shady. Maybe I’m too forgiving, but if the rate is good and the fees are all there in writing eventually, I’m willing to deal with a little awkwardness.
What’s tripping me up more is when lenders are super pushy about locking in a rate before you’ve even seen all the paperwork. That’s my red flag. If someone’s rushing me or making it sound like I’ll lose out if I don’t sign right now...that’s when I start thinking about walking.
But then again, maybe I’m just overthinking it? Is expecting perfect clarity from the start realistic? Or is some back-and-forth just part of the process? This whole thing feels like a weird mix of car shopping and speed dating...
What’s tripping me up more is when lenders are super pushy about locking in a rate before you’ve even seen all the paperwork. That’s my red flag.
Had the exact same thing happen last year. Here’s how I handled it:
1. If they won’t give you a full breakdown, walk. Doesn’t matter if the rate looks good—hidden fees can kill you.
2. If you have to ask three times for an answer, that’s a pattern, not just bad customer service.
3. Pushiness is my dealbreaker too. Once a lender tried to get me to sign “just to hold the rate”—turned out there were extra points buried in the fine print.
A little confusion is normal, but if you’re always chasing them for info, that’s a sign. Clarity might not be perfect upfront, but basic transparency shouldn’t be a negotiation.
Definitely agree that pushiness is a huge red flag, but I’d add one more thing to watch for: vague answers about timelines. If a lender can’t give you at least a ballpark on how long underwriting or closing will take, that’s usually a sign they’re either overpromising or not super organized.
I always tell folks to ask for a Loan Estimate (LE) early on—by law, they have to provide it within three business days of your application. If they drag their feet or try to gloss over the details, that’s not just annoying, it could mean surprises down the road.
One time, I had a client who got a “rate lock” email before she’d even submitted her docs. Turns out, the rate wasn’t actually locked and the fees changed twice before closing. She ended up switching lenders mid-process... stressful but worth it.
Bottom line: if you feel like you’re being rushed or kept in the dark, trust your gut and don’t be afraid to walk away. There are plenty of lenders out there who’ll treat you right.
Totally with you on the vague timelines—if a lender can’t give me a straight answer, I’m out. Here’s what I watch for:
- Fees that keep changing or aren’t clearly explained. If they can’t break it down line by line, that’s a dealbreaker.
- “Rate locks” that magically disappear or get “revised.” That’s just games.
- Overly rosy promises about closing fast. If it sounds too good, it usually is.
Had one lender try to sneak in a prepayment penalty at the last minute... caught it because I always read every doc. Trust but verify, every time.
