Homebuyers are paying more for mortgage credit checks. Here’s why

In this articleEFXTRUFICOMorsa Images | Digitalvision | Getty ImagesThere's a line item in homebuyers' closing costs that's causing a clash in the mortgage industry: the fee for lenders to check borrowers' credit.While the charges — typically in the tens or hundreds of dollars — represent a tiny slice of the amount that buyers pay when a home purchase is finalized, the cost has risen sharply in recent years. Costs in 2026 could rise an average 40% to 50%, according to a Dec. 12 letter from the Mortgage Bank ...