Last year a median price house for a first time buyer cost $150,000 and just a $4,500 deposit. But closing costs on the mortgage ran almost as high as the down payment, $4,000.

What many of those home buyers didn't realize was that many fees were negotiable.

You can't negotiate recording fees, taxes or insurance premiums but there are others you can.

Here are a few:

1. The fee you pay to the lender, known as the loan origination fee which can be as high as 1% of the loan can be avoided by using a mortgage broker.
2. Title insurance can be lowered by choosing your own company, or if the seller has lived in the home less than 10 years, ask for a discount.
3. Try to negotiate how much money is escrowed for insurance and property taxes and negotiate attorney fees.

Also be sure you receive your closing costs statement one to three days before you sign. This will give you time to questions the costs.