Last updated: 2026-04-25
Unsure if your lender’s underwriting fee is competitive? Run a Fair Loan Check.
Benchmarked against 6,721 real South Dakota mortgages.
| Range | Low | Typical | High | Flag Above |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Underwriting Fee | $300 | $600 | $900 | $1,200 |
Based on South Dakota closing cost data. Median home price: $320,000.
Data source: HMDA Modified Loan Application Register 2025, published by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB).
Statistics reflect originated first-lien purchase mortgages on owner-occupied principal residences. Medians exclude loans with exempt or unreported fee disclosures. Learn more at ffiec.cfpb.gov.
The underwriting fee compensates the lender for evaluating your creditworthiness, verifying your income and assets, and deciding whether to approve your loan. It appears in Section A of your Closing Disclosure.
Underwriting fees typically range from $300 to $900. Like processing fees, many consumer advocates view this as duplicative when charged alongside an origination fee — underwriting is a core lending function that the origination fee should cover.
This fee appears in Section A — Origination Charges of your Closing Disclosure.
The underwriting fee appears at two stages of the mortgage process — each with its own audit tool.
Before closing · Loan Estimate
Fair Loan Check
You received a Loan Estimate within 3 days of applying. Use this to check whether your underwriting fee and interest rate are competitive — before you commit to a lender.
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Analyze my Loan Estimate →3 days before closing · Closing Disclosure
Fair Closing Check
You received your Closing Disclosure 3 days before signing. Use this to audit every final fee — including the underwriting fee — against South Dakota benchmarks and get a negotiation email.
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Underwriting fees are negotiable. If your lender charges a separate origination fee, ask why underwriting isn't included. Having a competing Loan Estimate that bundles these costs gives you strong leverage to negotiate.
Upload your Closing Disclosure to see if your underwriting fee is fair
Every fee is cross-referenced against South Dakota benchmarks. Results in 60 seconds.
Underwriting fee charged alongside both an origination fee and a processing fee
Fee exceeds $700 without clear explanation
Lender charges 'underwriting review' as an additional line item
Fee appeared on CD but was not on the original Loan Estimate
See these red flags on your CD? Don't sign yet.
Upload your Closing Disclosure and every line item is audited against South Dakota benchmarks — in 60 seconds.
From $29 · Results in 60 seconds
A typical underwriting fee is $300 to $700. If you're also paying an origination fee, the total of all Section A lender charges should be evaluated as a whole rather than line by line.
Yes. Underwriting fees are negotiable, especially when you have competing offers from other lenders. Many lenders will reduce this fee or fold it into the origination charge.
The underwriter reviews your credit, income, assets, and the property appraisal to decide whether to approve the loan. This is a core lending function that many argue should be included in the origination fee.
You have 3 days to review your Closing Disclosure.
Federal law gives you 72 hours to push back before you sign. Every fee is cross-referenced against South Dakota benchmarks and the negotiation email is drafted for you.
Most buyers find $1,500–$3,000 in negotiable fees.
From $29· Results in 60 seconds