what closing costs did you shop around for?

our lawyer will take care of everything, but i'm finding that we can save a chunk of change just for shopping around--

for ex, he quoted us 1k for a new survey, and i found a company that's going to be doing the survey for 550

i know we can also shop around for homeowner's insurance

is there anything else?

Re: what closing costs did you shop around for?

Nothing. They told us what everything would cost

Re: what closing costs did you shop around for?

YES!

Here are the few:

1 - shop for the most affordable home/hazard insurance
2 - negotiate the items in the 1100s section of the GFE: title insurance, title search, title exam, attorney's fees and settlement fees.
3. shop for the best mortgage rates

Definitely can shop for title insurance and the best rate from a mortgage broker. You can save big $$ that way.

I've always tell people to stay away from bank issued loans 'cus you want to get a loan from a broker instead. The broker will in most cases offer the best rates and will turn around and sell it to a big name bank.

I've shopped for rates 4 times in my life and have ALWAYS gotten much much better rate from brokers.

The broker will also refer you to the preferred title insurance company they use, but you can get online quotes very easily and save a few hundred easy just by telling the broker that you want their title ins. co. to match the title rate you got. Lotsa junk fees involved in issuing title insurance!

If you are refinancing, you can also ask for the reissue (title) rate which is lower than the regular rate.

For mortgage rates, check zillow.com for rates and reviews and go from there.

Re: what closing costs did you shop around for?

We shopped around the most for home/hazard insurance, we got about 10 quotes.

Ended up using a broker, he gave us the best price. I can give you his contact info.

The homeowners had a recent survey.

Our mortgage broker set up the appraisal, this was $365.

Re: what closing costs did you shop around for?

ING's appraisal was 300. Our title check, recording & ins was about 4500 total. We paid less than 10k (I think closer to 8500) in total for all closing fees.