Honestly, I had the same reaction—felt like the bank was living in a different reality than I was. They didn’t factor in my student loans, daycare, or...

VA loans definitely don’t require a separate home inspection—just their own appraisal, which, like you said, is pretty bare-bones. The appraiser’s job...

That’s a perfect example of why it pays to question every line item on those closing docs. I’ve always found it odd how some lenders act like these fe...

I’ve run into those weird document requests too—once they asked for proof of insurance on a car I traded in years ago. I get that lenders need to chec...

I hear you on the “business meals” thing. I once had an underwriter ask for receipts for every single lunch I’d expensed in a year—like I’m out here l...

Had a similar experience with a “document review fee” that was literally just someone emailing me a PDF. I swear, half these charges are just creative...

That refinancing example hits home—been there myself. But I'd still be careful about equating a financial decision with a career jump. Numbers on pape...