Had a similar experience when I refinanced last year—at first, everything seemed crystal clear, but once I started asking about specific fees, things got a little fuzzy. It wasn't like they were hiding anything exactly, but I definitely had to push a bit to get straightforward answers. Felt like pulling teeth at times, haha.
One thing I learned: always ask about the "origination fee." Mine was higher than expected, and when I questioned it, suddenly there was room to negotiate. Makes me wonder how many people just accept the first number they're given without pushing back...
Did anyone else manage to negotiate down their fees, or was that just beginner's luck on my part?
Negotiating fees definitely isn't beginner's luck—it's just smart practice. When I refinanced my VA loan a couple years ago, I had a similar experience. Initially, the lender presented everything as pretty much set in stone, but when I started questioning some of the fees (especially the origination and processing fees), they suddenly found some wiggle room. I think lenders often count on borrowers accepting the first offer without question, especially if the numbers look good overall.
One thing I've learned from improving my credit and dealing with lenders is that almost everything can be negotiated to some extent. It never hurts to politely push back or ask for clarification. Worst case scenario, they say no...but more often than not, they'll try to meet you halfway to keep your business. Glad you were able to save some money!
I've definitely seen lenders budge on fees, especially origination and processing, like you mentioned. It's interesting because I've had clients who didn't even realize these were negotiable until we started reviewing their loan disclosures together. Seems like lenders often count on borrowers being overwhelmed by the paperwork or just eager to finish the refinance process quickly.
I do wonder, though, if anyone has had success negotiating other parts of their VA refinance—like appraisal fees or even interest rate buy-downs? I've seen mixed results there. Appraisal fees seem pretty standardized in most areas, but I've heard of lenders occasionally covering or reducing them as part of a deal. And interest rate buy-downs...those can be tricky. Sometimes lenders offer enticing options upfront, but when clients push back or shop around, they suddenly "find" better deals.
Also, timing seems to matter a lot. Rates fluctuate so much, and lenders' willingness to negotiate seems to correlate with how busy they are or how competitive the market is at any given moment. I had a client last year who managed to get a significantly better deal simply because rates had ticked up slightly, and the lender was eager to lock in the refinance rather than risk losing the client entirely. Curious if others have noticed timing playing a big role in their refinance negotiations as well?
Either way, it's always worth pushing back politely or at least asking questions. Worst that happens is they say no, right?
I've noticed timing can definitely swing things in your favor, especially if lenders are trying to hit quarterly targets or close out a slow month. But I'm curious if anyone's had luck negotiating lender credits specifically? I've had mixed experiences—some lenders seem flexible, others just won't budge. Wondering if it's more about the lender's policies or just the individual loan officer you're dealing with...
Agree timing can help, but lender credits are usually more about internal policies and margins than the individual LO. I've seen some lenders who just won't budge because their pricing model doesn't allow it, period. Others have more wiggle room built into their rates, so they're open to negotiating credits if it means closing the deal. Doesn't hurt to ask, but don't expect miracles if their margins are already tight...
