Buyer questions junk fees

      DEAR BOB: We are in the process of refinancing our home loan. I recall your writing about mortgage broker junk fees, but when we confront our mortgage broker about fees we think shouldn't be charged, he replies, "That's a normal fee."
      Which of these fees are junk fees we should resist? Appraisal, $350; credit report, $59; tax service, $63; underwriting, $400; processing, $400; flood certificate, $27.50; document preparation, $100; wire transfer, $26; closing fee, $425; title insurance, $439.11 -- Jean H.
      DEAR JEAN: I've seen worse junk fees. But I notice you didn't list any loan fee. I'll presume you're either being charged a loan fee or the lender's loan fee is included in the loan's interest rate.
      Of the fees you listed, the underwriting, processing, document and closing fees are negotiable "junk fees." Most are pure profit to the mortgage broker. In other words, they add to the your costs without providing a benefit to you. The other fees you list are normal and to be expected.
      -- Send your questions to Robert J. Bruss, Tribune Media Services, 435 N. Michigan Ave., Suite 1400, Chicago, Ill. 60611.