Too many buyers simply accept the settlement costs proposed by the mortgage lender or bank. These buyers believe that the costs are perhaps regulated at some level of government, or they are fearful the mortgage lender will refuse them service if they don't accept the proposed table of settlement costs. But none of this is true. Read on.

Settlement costs when buying a home are not regulated by the government. The costs represents what the lending institution wants to charge you. You don't have to accept their fees. You have the ability to negotiate every single line item in the prposed settlement costs. And if you don't like the respons of the lending institution you can shop for another lender. Let the new lender know that excessive settlement costs drove you to them and that you will want to review their settlement costs as well.

Settlement costs are not written in stone. You don't have to accept them. You can shop around and pick among lenders with the most reasonable settlement fees. Remember, its your money, not theirs, and you alone have the right to accept or decline.