Is it fair to ask for small fee up front as a private lender?

[Rodney Marcantel]

As a private lender, I have a rehabber who wants me to lend money to them. They do several RE transactions a year and look good on paper. I'm asking for $300 up front with paperwork to cover the cost of our RE Lawyer to produce a Deed of Trust. Is it fair to ask for $300 up front to cover that cost as a small earnest money investment by the rehabber? I don't see an issue with requesting this but they do and aren't willing to pay the $300 until closing.

[Ned Carey]

Of course it is fair.  It is your money and you can ask for whatever you want. You can ask them to stand on their head for three hours if you want. That doesn't mean they will do it. 

It is a negotiation. How badly do you want the $300 up front and how badly do you want to do the deal