My cash out refi got hit with a huge appraisal fee I didn't see coming

Just closed last week and the final costs showed a $750 appraisal fee. My lender originally said it would be around $500, but they claimed 'market conditions' in Phoenix made it higher. That extra $250 felt like it came right out of my cash to close. Always ask for a full fee sheet upfront, not just the estimate. Anyone else get blindsided by a big jump in their appraisal cost?

3 comments

3 Comments

phoenixp901mo ago

Ugh, that's the worst. Feels like every "estimate" these days is just the starting point for the real price.

laura_lee1mo ago

Tell me about it, @phoenixp90.

-1

phoenixcampbell19d ago

Absolutely, those last minute fee jumps are brutal. My last refi had a similar surprise with the title insurance, where the final bill was almost double the estimate. The lender just shrugged and said vendor costs went up. It makes you feel like you have no control over the process at all. Getting that full fee sheet locked in early is the only real defense.