Had a similar experience when I was helping a client navigate their financing. The lender kept brushing off detailed questions, saying stuff like "everyone signs this," but when we dug deeper, there were some pretty questionable clauses buried in there. Makes me wonder how often people actually catch these things... Did you end up switching lenders entirely, or were they willing to adjust once you pointed out the hidden fees?
"Makes me wonder how often people actually catch these things..."
Honestly, probably not often enough. I've seen lenders rely heavily on the "everyone signs this" line too, and it's usually a red flag. In my experience, once you push back and show you're serious about walking away, many lenders suddenly become a lot more flexible. But if they're shady from the start, it's usually better to move on—there are plenty of trustworthy lenders out there who don't bury surprises in the fine print.
One thing I've learned from dealing with lenders is to always ask for a full breakdown of fees upfront. If they hesitate or give vague answers, that's your cue to dig deeper. Also, don't underestimate the power of online reviews—check multiple sources, not just their own website. I once caught a hidden fee buried deep in the paperwork because someone else mentioned it in a review. Saved me a headache later on...
"If they hesitate or give vague answers, that's your cue to dig deeper."
Couldn't agree more with this. I remember one client who almost signed off on a loan without realizing there was a pretty hefty "processing fee" tucked away in the fine print. Luckily, she paused to ask questions after noticing the lender was being oddly evasive. Trust your gut—if something feels off, it probably is. And yeah, online reviews can be gold...or at least save you from some nasty surprises down the road.
Another thing worth doing is asking for a breakdown of every fee upfront. Don't just rely on the lender's verbal explanations—get it in writing. If they start dancing around specifics or suddenly "can't find" the document, that's a red flag. Had a buddy who got burned by hidden appraisal costs...lesson learned the hard way. Better to seem overly cautious than get stuck paying for surprises later.
