Had a similar experience a couple years back—those vague fees drove me nuts. Ended up pushing back pretty hard on the lender, and they waived about $400 worth of "processing" charges. Definitely pays to question everything they throw at you...
Good on you for pushing back—it's surprising how often those fees magically disappear when you question them. Did they give you a hard time about it, or was it pretty straightforward once you challenged them? I've found lenders sometimes rely on people just accepting whatever's listed without asking. Always worth double-checking the fine print, especially with VA loans where some fees aren't even allowed... Glad you caught it and saved yourself some cash.
I've seen this happen more times than I can count—lenders slipping in fees hoping nobody notices. Honestly, it's not always malicious, but they're definitely counting on people not reading the fine print. I've challenged a few myself, and usually, once you point it out, they back down pretty quickly. But every now and then, you'll get someone who tries to justify it with some vague explanation about "standard practice" or "processing costs."
VA loans are especially tricky because there are specific rules about what lenders can charge. It's surprising how many loan officers either don't know or conveniently forget these restrictions. My advice: always go into refinancing armed with a bit of research. If you can quote the VA guidelines back at them, they'll realize you're not an easy mark and back off pretty fast. Glad you caught it early—it's your money, after all.
Couldn't agree more—it's surprising how often lenders overlook (or conveniently ignore) VA guidelines. Have you noticed how some lenders try to frame certain fees as "discount points" or "origination charges" to skirt around the rules? I've seen borrowers get caught off guard by that. Always worth double-checking exactly what each fee covers... and if something seems vague, don't hesitate to ask for clarification. Better safe than sorry when it comes to your money.
Yep, seen that happen firsthand. Had a client once who almost paid extra because the lender labeled something vaguely as "processing fees." Pays to be skeptical and double-check those docs closely—never know what might slip through otherwise.
