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The Mortgage Expert
Closing Costs

What are VA non-allowable fees?

Short answer

Specific lender and third-party charges that VA does not permit the borrower to pay. Examples: attorney fees outside the limited allowable group, escrow waiver fees, certain processing/document-prep fees, and HUD/FHA inspection fees. Those costs shift to the seller or the lender.

Plain-English explanation

What this actually means.

VA's lender fee rules require the lender to either charge a flat 1% origination (which absorbs most non-allowables) or itemize fees within VA's allowable list. Anything outside that list cannot be charged to the veteran. In practice this rarely changes the cash-to-close — the seller or lender absorbs the line. Florida-specific items: doc stamps on the mortgage are non-allowable in some structures, doc stamps on the deed sit with the seller in most contracts. Subject to VA guidelines.

What can change the answer?

Where this can move.

Title and escrow fees, Florida doc stamps, the funding fee, prepaids, escrow setup, and lender fees within VA's allowable list. Non-allowable fees shift to seller or lender.

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Educational only. VA guidelines, lender overlays, rates, fees, and underwriting requirements can change. Final eligibility depends on full underwriting review. Mortgage Expert, Inc. is not affiliated with the VA, HUD, or any government agency.