Does Stearns Lending charge junk fees?

18% of Closing Disclosures we've analyzed for Stearns Lending included at least one fee flagged as potentially excessive. "Junk fees" are charges that are inflated beyond what comparable lenders charge or that provide little discernible value to the borrower. Upload your Closing Disclosure for a line-by-line analysis of your specific loan. This is informational only and not financial or legal advice.

How do Stearns Lending's fees compare to other lenders?

Stearns Lending currently holds a grade of C on Fair Closing Check, placing them near the national average for comparable lenders. Their median closing costs of $16,175 are roughly in line with the $16,418 national peer median. Grades are based on real homebuyer-submitted Closing Disclosures and scale from A (well below average) to F (significantly above average). This is informational only; individual loans vary by state, loan type, and borrower circumstances.

Can I negotiate closing costs with Stearns Lending?

Yes — closing costs are almost always negotiable to some degree. Based on our data, Stearns Lending's document preparation (avg $195 vs $164 peer avg) and rate lock fee (avg $371 vs $347 peer avg) have both run above comparable lenders — making them the most important fees to challenge. Lender-controlled fees like origination, processing, and underwriting charges can often be reduced or waived, especially if you have a strong credit profile or are comparing offers from multiple lenders. Third-party fees such as title insurance and settlement services can sometimes be shopped around for better rates — you are generally entitled to choose your own providers. Fair Closing Check analyzes your specific Closing Disclosure and identifies which fees to challenge and how much room there is to negotiate. This is informational only and not legal or financial advice.

Fair Closing Check

Stearns Lending

Name: Fair Closing Check — Closing Disclosure Audit
Brand: Fair Closing Check
Price: 29.00 USD
Availability: InStock

Mortgage Company · California · NMLS #1020

49 verified reports

Avg Closing Costs

$16,175

median across reports

vs. National Average

below national avg

Avg Origination Charge

$7,546

Section A lender fee

Reports with Junk Fees

18%

of submitted reports

Fee Breakdown

Filter by state:

Fee Category	This Lender (avg)	National Avg	Verdict
Origination Fee	$7,546	$7,829	🟡 Average
Title Insurance	$3,038	$3,110	🟡 Average
Underwriting Fee	$1,389	$1,459	🟡 Average
Appraisal	$1,045	$1,065	🟡 Average
Settlement/Closing Fee	$946	$973	🟡 Average
Processing Fee	$738	$777	🟡 Average
Rate Lock Fee	$371	$347	🟡 Average
Title Search	$370	$388	🟡 Average
Recording Fee	$332	$340	🟡 Average
Document Preparation	$195	$164	🔴 Above Avg
Tax Service Fee	$121	$126	🟡 Average
Credit Report	$66	$68	🟡 Average
Wire Transfer Fee	$66	$68	🟡 Average
Courier/Delivery	$57	$58	🟡 Average
Flood Certification	$23	$23	🟡 Average

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Frequently Asked Questions

Based on 49 closing cost reports

Based on 49 homebuyer-submitted Closing Disclosures, Stearns Lending's median total closing costs are $16,175. This is roughly in line with the $16,418 national peer median for comparable lenders. Actual costs vary by loan type, loan amount, property state, and individual borrower profile. This data is informational only and not financial advice.

Related Guides

Are Closing Costs Negotiable?

Which fees you can push back on and how to do it.

What Are Junk Fees on a Mortgage?

Spot the charges that pad lender profits.

How to Read Your Closing Disclosure

Page-by-page walkthrough of the 5-page form.

Average Closing Costs by State

Benchmark your costs against the state average.

Closing Costs in California

State-specific benchmarks for California.

Compare Stearns Lending with another lender

See how closing costs compare side-by-side