How do I avoid pre-qualificiation and pre-approval service fees?

There should not be charge of any sort for pre-qualification or pre-approvals.

You should never be charged for a pre-approval or pre-qualification.

As the others have said, there should NOT be any charges for these fees.

You avoid them by not dealing with the big box banks (ie, Wells Farog, etc..) Most all mortgage brokers do not charge any fees up front.. but a lot of the big banks do.. Plus, there are many options to help get your closing costs paid.. too many to list here.. so for this reason I suggest you contact a LOCAL mortgage broker and apply with them. Once they see your complete loan profile, they will be better equipped to advise you properly. Also, by applying with your LOCAL Broker, you have an advantage because he's familiar with local customs and works with many lenders with each one offering a different type of lending program. This is unlike the local bank which typically only has a few lending programs. The more lenders, the more lending options, and the more likely your scenario will be accepted.. Plus, the broker is experienced in seeking out the best loan terms for your particular scenario, and he has lower overhead which typically results in lower rates and fees than most of the larger lenders.. I'm a Broker here in Scottsdale AZ and I only lend in Arizona. If you or someone you know is looking for financing options, feel free to contact me or pass along my information. William J. Acres, Lender411's number ONE lender in Arizona. 480-287-5714 WilliamAcres.com

To be honest, I would not go with any company who charged you an upfront pre-approval or pre-qualification fee. With most lenders and brokers they will do this for free. Best wishes, Sean