It depends who you negotiate with. Some lenders are willing to haggle on both the loan rate and the number of points, but this is not typical among more established lenders. This is why it pays to shop around for the best loan rates. And know the market so that you sound informed when talking to a lender. Read the published rates in local newspapers, or check the growing number of internet sites that publish such information. Also, always make a point to consider the interest rate along with the points to determine which loan is truly the best.
Interest rates are much more open to negotiation on purchases that involve seller financing. While they’re usually based on market rates, some flexibility exists when negotiating on the rate.
