An application fee is a one-time, non-refundable charge levied by a lender to cover the costs of processing a loan application. The fee is generally paid up front, and can range anywhere from $50 to $350.
Application fees are not to be confused with origination fees, which are also charged by lenders when taking out a loan. Origination fees are typically a percentage of the loan amount (usually 1% to 6%), and are paid at closing.
How Application Fees are Used
The money from an application fee goes towards paying for a number of things related to processing your loan, including:
– ordering a credit report
– verifying employment and income
– property appraisal (if applicable)
– flood certification (if applicable)
– title insurance policy (if applicable)
Essentially, an application fee helps to offset some of the costs associated with underwriting a loan.
Are Application Fees Required for All Loans?
No – application fees are not required for all loans. For example, FHA loans do not require borrowers to pay an application fee. Some lenders may also waive the application fee for certain types of loans, such as VA loans or small business loans. However, it’s important to note that if a lender does waive the application fee, they may compensate for this by charging a higher interest rate on the loan.
See also article on Late payment fee.
Conclusion: In short, an application fee is a one-time charge assessed by a lender when you apply for a loan. The fee helps to cover the costs associated with processing your loan application, such as ordering a credit report and verifying employment and income. Not all loans require an application fee – for example, FHA loans do not have one. Some lenders may also waive the application fee for certain types of loans. However, if you are charged an application fee, it’s important to know that this does not guarantee you will be approved for the loan.
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