I’ve actually walked away once when the fees just kept creeping up—felt like every time I asked for a breakdown, something new popped up. It’s a hassle, but sometimes starting over with a new lender is less stressful than fighting every line item. Has anyone had luck getting a lender to actually remove those “standard” fees, or do they just dig in their heels?
Title: Thinking about refinancing my VA mortgage, curious what others are doing
You’re not alone—those “standard” fees are a pain point for a lot of folks. I’ve been through this dance more times than I care to admit, and honestly, I’ve had mixed results. Sometimes you get a lender who’s willing to shave off a couple hundred bucks here or there, especially if you push back on things like “processing” or “admin” fees. Other times, they just say it’s non-negotiable and act like you’re asking for the moon.
One thing I’ve noticed: if you come in with quotes from other lenders, it puts a little pressure on them. I had one lender drop their origination fee by half after I showed them a competitor’s breakdown. Didn’t get rid of all the junk fees, but it helped. Still, there’s always something they claim is “required”—credit report, flood cert, whatever. Some of it’s legit, some of it feels like padding.
Walking away isn’t a bad move if you’re getting nickel-and-dimed. The hassle of starting over is real, but sometimes it’s the only way to keep your sanity (and your wallet intact). I’d say don’t be afraid to call their bluff. Worst case, you find someone else who’s a little more transparent.
Curious if anyone’s actually gotten a lender to waive the VA funding fee, though. That’s the one I’ve never seen budge unless you qualify for an exemption. Everything else? It’s a negotiation, and sometimes you just have to be stubborn about it.
Walking away isn’t a bad move if you’re getting nickel-and-dimed. The hassle of starting over is real, but sometimes it’s the only way to keep your sanity (and your wallet intact).
Couldn’t agree more. I walked away from a refi last year when the fees kept creeping up—felt like every time I blinked, there was a new “mandatory” charge. It’s a pain to start over, but sometimes that’s the only way to send a message. And yeah, that VA funding fee? Never seen it budge either unless you’ve got the disability exemption. Just gotta keep pushing on the other stuff.
Yeah, those “surprise” fees can really add up fast. I always tell folks to get a detailed loan estimate up front and compare it line by line—sometimes lenders will negotiate on certain charges, but that VA funding fee is pretty much set in stone unless you qualify for the exemption. It’s a hassle, but walking away can save you a lot in the long run. Had a client last month who bailed after the third “processing” fee popped up... sometimes you just gotta trust your gut.
I’ve seen a few lenders try to sneak in “courier fees” or random admin charges that aren’t even explained properly. Curious if anyone’s had luck getting their credit score re-pulled right before closing to see if it’d drop the rate or fees a bit? Sometimes timing makes a difference, but not sure if that’s just luck.
