In a tight market or if the seller has to move, he or she may be willing to pay points. Shop around for the best mortgage terms. The lender with the lowest interest rates may also have the highest closing costs. You may be able to negotiate with your lender to waive or reduce certain fees if the competition among lenders is strong. Negotiate with attorneys on their fees.
Most attorneys base their fees on a percentage of the price of the house.
You may be able to negotiate an hourly rate with your attorney. Expect to haggle by insisting on the price and conditions that you desire. Many buyers don't realize they are allowed to bargain on any feature of the deal, and traditional real estate professionals don't always tell them. This is where the services of a buyer's broker or agent can be valuable. Expect to make compromises.