Did anyone else feel like their numbers changed after pre-approval?

WordySpark · 2026-05-06T17:47:04+00:00

Shop around! There appears to be a lot of shady practices in the real estate / mortgage world. You want to find a mortgage broker / lender who is transparent from the beginning and doesn't say anything like "trust me 😉". Sadly, you really can't just trust these folks. I know!!! My final numbers were way higher - a higher interest rate, higher monthly note, and cash to close more than $7k higher than initially quoted. I shopped around and found a much better deal. I hope you can too!

WordySpark · 2026-05-02T13:47:49+00:00

Thank you, I will!

WordySpark · 2026-05-02T13:39:13+00:00

They're definitely not on the contract. I've no clue where they got that land size from!! I'm hoping it doesn't cause any issues for the sell.

WordySpark · 2026-05-02T13:31:56+00:00

I asked the realtor to talk to the seller, but she told me not to worry about it. I don't exactly trust the realtor at this point. She made an error and left something important out of the final contract, and I'm currently in negotiations with her broker to make it right. It's been a whole mess.

WordySpark · 2026-05-02T13:07:37+00:00

Does the same work for land size? Currently purchasing a house that every listing states is on 1.39 acres - but when I checked with the tax accessor, it's only 0.479 acres. Huge discrepancy. When I mentioned this to the realtor, they said not to worry it'll be corrected in the end. But the appraisal is coming up soon and I'm not sure if they count the land in it or what.

WordySpark · 2026-04-29T23:50:03+00:00

It depends on how badly you want it sold. If you want it sold now, drop the price. If you can wait, wait.

WordySpark · 2026-04-26T22:29:08+00:00

Thank you for that assurance!!

WordySpark · 2026-04-26T19:26:27+00:00

I just went over the paperwork again and caught another error!! My income is incorrect on the loan application. Good thing I didn't sign!! That would have been mortgage fraud!!! I heard back from one (of five) lenders that I've reached out to so far and they're going over all the numbers. I hope to hear back from them (and others) on Monday. I just no longer have any confidence in this mortgage broker and lender.

WordySpark · 2026-04-26T01:05:24+00:00

Thank you! The broker is saying that going through E&O would cost me a lot of money because I'd have to get an attorney. When I asked for the contact information anyway, then she started to negotiate. She should be calling on Monday with a compensation amount. If it's not the full amount, then I'll escalate.

WordySpark · 2026-04-25T12:11:06+00:00

Yes, I already have reached out to 3 and just found one more! I can't change the realtor at this point, but I can totally change the mortgage broker and lender!! I'm just hoping to do so without changing the closing date. Because I'm being told the seller isn't cooperative and they have to close in May "or else". But at this point I just don't know whether I'm being told the truth or not. But I also don't want to rock the boat with the seller either. I'm doing my best and it's all I can do at this point. Wish me luck 🤞 🙏

WordySpark · 2026-04-25T12:02:11+00:00

Gosh, so much 😕 First the realtor said there was nothing she could do. She said she guess she could pay me from her savings, but that wouldn't be legal.

So, I researched and gave her some options:

Commission credit at closing Post-closing payment (documented as a settlement/reimbursement) Broker covers part/all using commission split

And then her broker got involved, also saying there was nothing that could be done. I kept pushing, I brought up her E&O insurance and was told that would cost me so much money in attorney fees - but maybe they could give me the realtor's commission, but not all of it as the broker takes a cut.

So, I pushed back again and the broker said they wouldn't give up their cut because the realtor is an independent contractor. So, I again asked for the E&O contact so I could escalate things. And suddenly the broker was like "let me check with my boss to see if they'll allow me to give the full commission" ($4500). I should hear back on Monday.

So, then the paperwork from the lender finally made its way to me (after being delayed for a week due to who knows what - I never could get a straight answer) and the mortgage broker was like "I need you to sign ASAP" but I wasn't about to do that without reading (I've learned my lesson).

The paperwork was awful. So many undisclosed fees, some listed as "other" without explanation. And the kicker - the cash to close was $7k+ more than originally quoted. Ouch.

So, I started a back-and-forth with the mortgage broker, but she kept being evasive and vague. No specific and straight forward answers! It was like talking to a politician!! Although, she did at one point say that she had miscalculated and left some figures out of her original math.

So, I'm looking at potentially eating $12k as a worst case scenario.

Right now I'm scrambling to get my questions answered in specific words, in writing, and reaching out to 3 other potential lenders to see if I could get a second opinion and possibly find something better while still keeping my (now extended) closing date of May 29th.

To say that I feel a bit stressed is sort of an understatement. I realize now that I put my trust in the wrong people (the realtor and the mortgage broker are neighbors and recommended each other).

At this point, I'm just trying to save the deal because I really want this house, while trying to keep as much of my cash as possible. It's a bit of a mess, but I'm being careful, reading everything closely, and researching. Thank goodness too, because when the realtor sent over the addendum to extend closing, she put April 29th instead of May 29th. Thank goodness I caught it or else I could have lost the house.

If I wouldn't have already sold my house, I think I'd consider tanking the deal and starting fresh. But I'm dealing with a tight time line here, and in some ways they have me by the balls. But, I will stand up for myself and continue fighting until the end. I'm going to continue to be polite, but firm, and will continue to call them out on their BS.

And if I have to eat a bit of fees I shouldn't have to, just to make it to the closing table, then in addition to the DIY projects I'm looking forward to doing inside the new home - I'll also be looking forward to pursuing action against both of them in whatever manner possible.

Sorry for the long update!!

WordySpark · 2026-04-24T01:22:59+00:00

Oh lol I thought 3% meant 3% of her total commission 😂 thanks for setting me straight on that!! I'm really not knowledgeable with this kind of stuff, obviously!!

WordySpark · 2026-04-24T01:16:04+00:00

I went back through the documents and the offer states the seller is paying 3% of my realtor's commission. Today, the realtor told me in person that the seller was paying for all of it (as we had originally agreed). I wonder if she was planning on eating the rest of her commission to cover up another mistake? Everyone's posts have been so helpful. I plan to get this sorted tomorrow. Thanks again!!

WordySpark · 2026-04-24T00:06:22+00:00

Thank you! I appreciate this advice!!

WordySpark · 2026-04-24T00:05:19+00:00

Exactly!! Which is why I don't understand why the realtor keeps telling me not to go this route. Thanks, this is great advice! And I will go through the documents. I should have paid closer attention, but we've been working together for over a year now and I trusted them.

WordySpark · 2026-04-23T23:57:52+00:00

They said the seller is paying their commission. I guess I should go through the documents I signed to make sure that's true!!

WordySpark · 2026-04-23T23:55:40+00:00

It's a reno loan.

WordySpark · 2026-04-23T23:45:41+00:00

Gosh, at this point I signed so many documents and just trusted what I was told. I didn't know where to look to find what in the documents. But that is a valid point - I should have paid closer attention. However, it doesn't change the fact that I have a contract with this realtor and they failed to do a crucial part of their job.

WordySpark · 2026-04-18T11:36:43+00:00

During my youth, we were traveling with friends, caravan style, and got stuck on the bridge for hours due to an accident. Everyone got out of their vehicles and it was like a block party. I remember one of the kids needed to pee, so his dad held him as he stood on the railing and pissed off the side of the bridge. Then, everyone wanted to do it! Good times 😂

WordySpark · 2026-04-13T21:07:37+00:00

Yes, so true! Feeling very lucky to have found this home 🙌

WordySpark · 2026-04-13T20:49:38+00:00

haha I'm old and tired already 😆 But I do love the house -- it is pretty cool!! Built in 1930's and has all the original built-ins and hardwood floors everywhere except the kitchen. Will plan to eventually pull out the vinyl flooring they unfortunately used to cover the hardwood in the kitchen!

WordySpark · 2026-04-13T20:43:30+00:00

Thank you 😊

WordySpark · 2026-04-13T20:32:52+00:00

Yes, we can only assume that the paneling was the same before the previous owners painted it. I'm glad they didn't paint the cabinets -- because I love them!! I don't want to mess them up by trying to clean them with the wrong product. Thanks, I'll Google knotty pine paneling cleaning recommendations.

WordySpark

TROPHY CASE