Redfin

MARCH 11, 2025

Its credited back to the buyer at closing: If the deal moves forward, your earnest money is applied toward your down payment or closing costs. However, if you back out of the deal for reasons not covered by contingencies (such as inspection or financing), you may forfeit the earnest money to the seller.

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Realtor.com

OCTOBER 29, 2020

Get all contingencies squared away. Most purchase agreements have contingencies —things that buyers must do before the real estate transaction is official, explains Jimmy Branham , a Coral Springs, FL, real estate agent at the Keyes Company. It’s rarely advisable to waive an inspection contingency.

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HomeLight

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020

These properties are typically sold as-is, without the option to negotiate repairs, and as the buyer, you’re unlikely to get the seller and their lender to agree to cover your closing costs. If you’re interested in a short sale opportunity, get a better idea of what you’re in for and what closing costs you can get covered.

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HomeLight

NOVEMBER 1, 2021

Industry experts estimate that sellers can expect to pay anywhere from 6% to 10% of their home’s purchase price in closing costs when it’s time to sell. To top it off, buyers sometimes ask sellers to pitch in for their closing costs, too — another 2% to 3% of the sales price. Appraisal fee. Property inspections.

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Closing costs Closing Seller concession Purchase and sale agreement 97

Redfin

MARCH 18, 2025

It can cover part of your closing costs. If your down payment is already covered, the earnest money can help pay for lender fees, title fees, and other closing expenses. If your earnest money exceeds your total costs due at closing, youll get a refund for the excess amount. You may receive a refund.

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HomeLight

DECEMBER 30, 2023

What buyer contingencies might put a listing back on the market? What home contingency missteps should you avoid when making an offer? While under contract, there are typically contingencies in the buyer’s offer that need to be resolved before the sale moves forward. If contingencies are not met, the deal might fall through.

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Realty Biz

DECEMBER 15, 2022

A Low Appraisal Can Torpedo the Sale. An appraisal is part of securing financing for the property. If it comes in low: The buyer can get a second appraisal. Even with a solid appraisal, financing is not guaranteed. This stage of escrow totals up the closing costs plus other fees and costs of buying a house.

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Redfin

FEBRUARY 22, 2021

However, there are other transaction details you may easily overlook, such as the myriad of additional fees and costs charged to buyers as part of their home purchase transaction, also known as closing costs. What are closing costs? . For a first-time homebuyer, closing costs may come as a big surprise.

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HomeLight

OCTOBER 30, 2020

A cash deal can close in as little as 7 days, while financed home purchases tend to take an average of 45 days to close. And if you add a home sale contingency into the mix (that is, if you need to sell your current home before you can buy a new one), closing the deal can take even longer.

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Realty Biz

JUNE 7, 2021

What’s the difference between the appraised price and the asking price? Appraised price. It requires a professional appraiser that is an uninterested third party without a financial interest in the purchase (the appraiser does not represent the buyer, seller, or mortgage company). Contingencies and contingency offers.

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Redfin

MARCH 2, 2023

One important concept that all homebuyers should be familiar with though is the appraisal contingency. In this guide, we will explore what an appraisal contingency is and how it can impact your homebuying journey. What is an appraisal contingency? What is a contingent offer?

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Realty Biz

APRIL 20, 2022

Let’s look at the most common contingencies in an offer and what they mean to buyers and sellers. Common Contingencies Found in an Offer to Purchase. Home Inspection Contingency. One of the most common terms in an offer is the home inspection contingency clause. Help From the Seller.

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Purchase and sale agreement Home sale contingency Earnest money deposit Inspection contingency 104

HomeLight

JUNE 23, 2022

If a seller terminates the contract outside of these contingencies , they typically must forfeit the buyer’s earnest money and — depending on the circumstances — may even be required to pay additional money damages and face other possible repercussions for breach of contract. Is earnest money refundable? The short answer is yes, usually.

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Windemere Selling

JANUARY 19, 2022

Before a buyer can hold the keys to their new home, and before a seller can celebrate the sale of their property, closing costs must be paid. Learn more about the costs of buying and selling a home here: 10 Costs Associated with Buying a Home 10 Costs Associated with Selling Your Home What are closing costs?

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HomeLight

AUGUST 31, 2021

The associated contingencies , which come with additional risks for the seller, are where you’ll find most key distinctions between a cash offer and an offer backed by a mortgage loan. The most obvious contingency with an offer that requires financing is, of course, the financing itself. There’s no financing contingency.

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HomeLight

JULY 12, 2024

You can then make a strong offer on your next home with no home sale contingency. Home appraisal: Assessing the property’s market value to ensure it aligns with the purchase price. Home inspections: Conduct a thorough inspection of the property to identify any issues that need addressing.

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Purchase and sale agreement Earnest money deposit Home sale contingency Title search 111

HomeLight

JULY 31, 2022

The template will include your offer price, down payment amount, earnest money deposit, contingencies, and desired closing date. Contingencies. Contingencies allow you to walk away from the purchase in certain circumstances, even after the offer has been accepted. Common contingencies include: Inspection contingency.

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HomeLight

JULY 26, 2022

In a best case scenario, negotiations go smoothly, the inspection doesn’t reveal any major issues, the appraisal comes in right where it should, and the whole process is very efficient (we’ll get into what could create some hiccups later on). When you make an offer, be sure to include any contingencies that you want fulfilled.

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Marco Santarelli

APRIL 27, 2025

Speed of Light Closings: Forget waiting 30, 45, or even 60 days for mortgage approval, appraisal, and all the hoops. A cash deal can often close in a week or two, sometimes even faster if everyone is on the ball. The financed offer comes with contingencies (like getting the loan approved, the house appraising high enough).

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HomeLight

SEPTEMBER 15, 2021

Pre-listing inspection report. Contingency removal form (CA-specific). Home inspection report. Home appraisal report. A new contract can be signed without the old contract, and the new buyer will conduct new inspections and obtain a new title insurance policy.”. Give buyers time to conduct a lead inspection.

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Realtor.com

NOVEMBER 8, 2022

A year ago, sellers were calling all the shots and buyers were launching legendary bidding wars, waiving contingencies, and paying for homes in cash. Wave goodbye to waived contingencies. This time last year, desperate buyers were willing to waive finance contingencies, inspections, and more to snag their dream home.

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HomeLight

OCTOBER 29, 2021

You still have to make it through the house closing process, where inspections , credit problems, or paperwork issues can trip you up. The closing process fills several weeks as you navigate through multiple steps to make it to the closing table. Step 6: Order the inspection and any follow-ups.

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Realty Biz

JANUARY 19, 2024

In many instances, buyers must remove contingencies to remain competitive. Navigating the Home Inspection and Negotiation Process Once you have put a house under contract, the next step will be the home inspection. Navigating the home inspection and negotiation process is a critical step in buying a house.

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Debt-to-income ratio Pre-approval Purchase and sale agreement Inspection 100

HomeLight

JANUARY 3, 2023

FSBO sellers in Colorado may consider getting a home inspection prior to listing their home for sale. However, be aware that if you get a pre-listing inspection, you will be required to share relevant findings with buyers and how you did or did not address them. Get a pre-listing appraisal. Closing costs.

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RIS Media

SEPTEMBER 21, 2020

Appraisal : An educated and well-documented valuation of a home, prepared by a licensed and certified appraiser. Value is based on data about comparable homes in the area, as well as the appraiser’s walk-through. Closing costs : Fees associated with the purchase of a home due at the end of the sales transaction.

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The Close

MARCH 11, 2025

If your offer is accepted, the next step would be to perform a property inspection and appraisal. Buyers will typically shoulder the cost of home inspections, which range from $300 to $500. Each state has its own laws on the contingency period. Appraisals are optional if the purchase is made with no financing.

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HomeLight

MARCH 31, 2022

FSBO sellers in Florida may want to consider getting a home inspection prior to listing their home for sale. Addressing any issues upfront helps buyers have peace of mind when making an offer and helps to prevent inspection-related closing delays. Get a pre-listing appraisal. Get Estimate.

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Purchase and sale agreement Inspection Title Inspection contingency 111

HomeLight

MARCH 2, 2023

Consider factors such as how long you plan to be in the area, if you have steady employment, and if you have enough money saved for not just the down payment, but for closing costs , maintenance, property taxes, and more. During this time, review your credit score and determine if it’s considered excellent, good, fair, or poor.

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HomeLight

MARCH 20, 2023

Most often, this type of scenario calls for a home sale contingency. With the help of real estate agent Jesse Allen , a single-family home expert in southern Indiana , we’ll help to explain the ins and outs of home sale contingencies, and offer additional alternatives for buyers who currently own a home.

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Home sale contingency Purchase and sale agreement Sales Earnest money deposit 105

HomeLight

MARCH 31, 2022

FSBO sellers in Arizona may consider getting a home inspection prior to listing their home for sale. However, be aware that if you get a pre-listing inspection, you will be required to share relevant findings with buyers and how you did or did not address them. Get a pre-listing appraisal. Closing costs.

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Purchase and sale agreement Inspection Inspection contingency MLS 110

HomeLight

JULY 31, 2020

This is important: if your real estate agent puts in an all-cash offer on your behalf, they will not include a financing contingency. The seller makes decisions based on the terms of your offer, including contingencies. Graves points out that other contingencies are also optional with an all-cash offer.

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Realty Biz

OCTOBER 12, 2021

Another big danger associated with maintenance costs is that it has become increasingly more common for buyers to waive the home inspection contingency to try and get their offer accepted. According to the NAR, 23% of buyers waived inspections in August. Lastly, buyers need to prepare themselves for closing costs.

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HomeLight

AUGUST 30, 2021

Will you get an appraisal and ballpark future value growth, for example?). To protect yourself, consider adding contingencies (such as an inspection contingency ) that allows you to get an inspection before you occupy the house so you’re fully aware of any existing conditions. Step 9: Save for closing costs.

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Purchase and sale agreement Inspection Inspection contingency Closing costs 115

HomeLight

MARCH 6, 2023

Consider factors such as how long you plan to be in the area, if you have steady employment, and if you have enough money saved for not just the down payment, but for closing costs , maintenance, property taxes, and more. down payment and/or closing cost assistance. Loans are between 3%-3.5%

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Earnest money deposit Closing Sales Title 110

HomeLight

APRIL 28, 2023

Step 1: Address needed repairs and maintenance FSBO sellers in Texas may consider getting a home inspection prior to listing their home for sale. However, be aware that if you get a pre-listing inspection, you will be required to share relevant findings with buyers and how you did or did not address them.

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Purchase and sale agreement Inspection Title Inspection contingency 102

Redfin

MARCH 4, 2025

There are many steps to the homebuying and selling processes – and one of the common steps is a home appraisal. A home appraisal determines the value of a home and is important for both buyers and sellers. Key takeaways Home appraisals are unbiased determinations of a homes fair market value. What is a home appraisal?

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FHA loan Inspection Loans Mortgages 31

Realty Biz

JULY 7, 2021

If the appraisal doesn’t support the higher offer, you can probably still get the mortgage you are preapproved for, but you’ll need to pay cash for the difference between the appraised value and what you offered above the appraised value. Minimal or no contingency clauses. Require a minimal home inspection.

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