When you get a new mortgage, whether it is to purchase a new home, or to refinance your current one, you need to make sure that the closing costs and fees you are charged are reasonable. Of course, you may think the closing costs seem unreasonable no matter what they are, but you do have some options for getting them lower.

The fact of the matter is, the mortgage broker must show any fees or costs associated with the transaction on a good faith estimate. This means that appraisals, title work, credit reports, underwriting fees and all other money that changes hands must be reflected on the good faith estimate. The key to lowering your closing costs lies in knowledge. Here are a few things you can do to avoid high closing costs.

Disclose Everything
Make sure lenders know all of the details of your loan. Many things can change closing costs, some you may not even be aware of. Things such as escrow waivers, new construction homes, condominiums and investment properties can all affect closing costs. If you have poor credit, have filed a bankruptcy, are self-employed or haven