Redfin

JUNE 27, 2025

These can greatly affect both the quality of your purchase and your bottom-line expense. You’ve saved for a down payment and spent more time scrolling through listings than you’d like to admit. One thing is clear; you’re ready to dive into homeownership. In this article, we’ll outline 17 common mistakes for first-time homebuyers.

Pre-approval

Redfin

JULY 21, 2025

Backing out without cause may result in losing your earnest money deposit. If you’re having doubts, want to reassess your finances, or simply change your mind, doing so before any paperwork is signed allows for a clean exit without risking earnest money or triggering legal consequences.

Earnest money deposit

Redfin

JULY 11, 2025

That means if the sale is completed, the money is not refunded – it’s credited toward what you owe. But what about if your deal falls through, is the earnest money refundable then? Short answer: Yes, earnest money is often refundable, but only if specific conditions in your contract are met.

Earnest money deposit

Redfin

JULY 10, 2025

When buying a home, understanding earnest money vs. due diligence is key. Earnest money is a refundable deposit held in escrow to show your serious intent to buy, while due diligence fees are usually non-refundable payments made directly to the seller to secure time for inspections and evaluations.

Due diligence

Redfin

MARCH 7, 2025

One of the most common questions that come up during this phase is: who pays for the home inspection? In this Redfin article, well break down who pays for the home inspection and answer other common home inspection questions. What is a home inspection? A home inspection is a thorough evaluation of a propertys condition.

Inspection

Redfin

JULY 9, 2025

Decide on important terms like earnest money deposits, contingencies (inspection, financing), and closing dates that can make your offer stand out. During this time, your lender will finalize your mortgage, the home will be appraised and inspected, and a title search will be conducted.

Pre-approval

Rochester Real Estate

NOVEMBER 5, 2015

While a 20% down payment is a lot of money to save, making this easier with a gift from a relative or even your employer is possible. If your offer is accepted, you will sign a purchase agreement and pay an earnest money deposit. Home Inspection The home inspection will show if this is a property you want to buy.

Purchase and sale agreement

Rochester Real Estate

NOVEMBER 5, 2015

Should I Have A Home Inspection When Buying A House Buying a home is a significant investment and one you want to be happy with. One of them is the home inspection, and it’s not a great idea to waive it. The reality is that some homebuyers are waiving their home inspection. Yes, they move the home buying process along faster.

Inspection

Redfin

AUGUST 4, 2025

A professional home inspection will reveal potential issues such as roof damage, plumbing problems, or outdated systems. Never skip the inspection — it’s one of your best tools in determining how to negotiate real estate price with confidence. Do your homework before you make an offer Negotiation begins long before you submit an offer.

Earnest money deposit

Redfin

AUGUST 5, 2025

Buyers can benefit from the leg up in a competitive housing market, avoid mortgage fees and interest rates and save money in the long run. In a multiple-offer situation, sellers look at a number of different variables between offers, from inspection timelines to appraisal guarantees, to financing terms. Can you buy a house with cash?

Earnest money deposit

HomeLight

JANUARY 26, 2024

For this reason, most contracts contain an inspection contingency clause. But what happens if the inspection contingency expires? If this contingency period lapses before you’ve finalized your decisions, will you lose your deposit? Get Started How does an inspection contingency work?

Inspection contingency

HomeLight

JANUARY 10, 2024

Most purchase agreements are contingent on two key items: home inspection and financing. As a homebuyer, knowing what these contingencies mean for you and the seller can help you make decisions with more confidence and avoid unexpected surprises and pitfalls. Get Started What does contingent mean when buying a home?

Earnest money deposit

Realtor.com

OCTOBER 29, 2020

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. Clear the title. Review your closing disclosure.

Closing

Dwell Real Estate

JULY 10, 2020

The earnest money deposit—the cash you as a buyer offer to essentially call dibs on real estate—is one of the most important (and often misunderstood) parts of the home-buying process. In the Sarasota area, home buyers will usually put down anywhere from 1 to 5 of the real estate purchase price as earnest money. (If

Earnest money deposit

Dwell Real Estate

JULY 10, 2020

The earnest money deposit—the cash you as a buyer offer to essentially call dibs on real estate—is one of the most important (and often misunderstood) parts of the home-buying process. In the Sarasota area, home buyers will usually put down anywhere from 1% to 5% of the real estate purchase price as earnest money. (If

Earnest money deposit

HomeLight

SEPTEMBER 11, 2020

Source: (Andrea Piacquadio / Pexels). Educate yourself about how offers work. First, buyers should enter into the process prepared with a fundamental understanding of how offers work in order to be as engaged and competitive as possible in the process. It’s a legally binding document once it’s signed by both you and the seller.

Earnest money deposit

Realty Biz

FEBRUARY 20, 2021

Contingencies in Real Estate Explained. Do you know what a real estate contingency is and how it works? Real Estate contingencies are when some defined action or outcome must occur before a contract becomes legal and binding. Most buyers will have a home inspection contingency in their contract.

Purchase and sale agreement

HomeLight

JANUARY 3, 2024

It means the buyer and seller have agreed to the terms of the contract, such as the price, the closing date, the personal property, the earnest money, tax preparation, and contingencies.” What contingencies might be attached to ‘under contract’ listings? There are four common types of real estate contract contingencies.

Purchase and sale agreement

HomeLight

JANUARY 12, 2024

Whether you’re just starting to explore the housing market or are in the midst of deciding whether to remove a loan contingency from an existing offer, this guide is tailored for you. We’ll also share how, as an existing homeowner, you can make a stronger non-contingent offer to get the home you want. What is a loan contingency?

Loan contingency

Realty Biz

DECEMBER 5, 2022

One of the most vital phases of buying a house is having it inspected. Home inspections over the last few years were few and far between. The crazy hot seller's market forced many home buyers into forgoing their inspection. Let's look at what you need to know about home inspection negotiations.

Inspection

HomeLight

OCTOBER 1, 2020

Will you lose your deposit? You now have skin in the game in the form of your earnest money deposit, plus you have a legal duty to buy the home (barring certain circumstances). So as a buyer, you should have a contingency in your contract to protect you in case you can’t get proper financing for the home.

Earnest money deposit

Realtor.com

SEPTEMBER 18, 2020

We got lucky, but it left me wondering: Is it ever OK to waive a home inspection? Should you ever waive a home inspection? But waiving a home inspection comes with sizable risks. The risks of waiving a home inspection. ” Why people are waiving home inspections during the COVID-19 era.

Inspection

HomeLight

SEPTEMBER 22, 2020

The “best” component refers to all the other terms included in a contract that can be tweaked to sweeten the deal — such as waived contingencies , putting down more cash upfront , or offering a more flexible closing date. It’s official: Your house is a hot commodity. Your biggest fear? Picking the wrong offer. and that’s it,” says Lunger.

Earnest money deposit

Norada Real Estate

APRIL 15, 2023

Purpose of Under Contract The purpose of the under-contract period is to allow both parties to fulfill any contingencies and prepare for closing. However, the duration can be influenced by several factors, such as contingencies, negotiations, and local regulations. But how long can a house be under contract?

Earnest money deposit

HomeLight

JULY 26, 2022

Knowing that they will save money by not paying the listing agent’s commission, a seller might list their home at a lower price than they would if they had hired an agent. When both parties work with agents, you’ll likely go through them to schedule showings, inspections, appraisals, and offer submissions. Is it a yard sale?

Earnest money deposit

HomeLight

OCTOBER 30, 2020

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. Suddenly, you have less money than you realized. Another issue that can come up is when a buyer wires money to the wrong account (imagine the horror!).

Closing

RIS Media

MAY 19, 2021

” There are other statuses in the MLS listings like “Pending,” “Contingent,” “Coming Soon” and “Expired.” ” There are other statuses in the MLS listings like “Pending,” “Contingent,” “Coming Soon” and “Expired.” Pending Meaning.

Purchase and sale agreement

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. If this all sounds perfect and you’re getting serious about purchasing a home in San Diego, read on.

Closing

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.

Purchase and sale agreement

HomeLight

NOVEMBER 29, 2021

But first, you have to sell your old home, potentially secure financing, and secure a home appraisal (and likely an inspection) on your new house. Most purchase agreements have some terms in place that must be met for the deal to go through, such as having a home inspection completed. Do contingencies benefit homebuyers?

Purchase and sale agreement

Point2Homes

DECEMBER 23, 2021

As a buyer, you’ll be required to pay a deposit that will go into an escrow account. Therefore, holding the buyer’s funds in escrow encourages them to continue with the deal because their money is at risk. But, if a contingency protects the buyer, they should get most of their deposit returned to them. What is an Escrow?

Earnest money deposit

HomeLight

SEPTEMBER 1, 2022

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. She adds that Florida also has numerous down payment assistance programs, many of which are tied to state bond money.

Earnest money deposit

HomeLight

SEPTEMBER 1, 2022

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. Let’s dive into the steps of buying a house in Connecticut: 1. Assess your readiness.

Earnest money deposit

First Team Real Estate

AUGUST 8, 2021

Approximately 25% of all escrows fall through because of inspection contingencies, lending hiccups, appraisal surprises, and more. The difference between a primary offer and a backup offer is that the backup offer’s contractual viability is contingent on the primary offer not going to escrow. of offers faced bidding wars.

Backup offer

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. The Bay Area is also close to beaches, national parks, and the wineries of Napa Valley.

Earnest money deposit

HomeLight

JULY 31, 2022

You’ve decided it’s time to buy a house ! One of the first steps is to pick a real estate agent to work with. But what if you decide that you don’t want to work with a buyer’s agent to buy your home? Well, welcome to your step-by-step guide to buying a home without a real estate agent. Find a lender you can trust. Research your ideal neighborhoods.

Earnest money deposit

Realty Biz

NOVEMBER 11, 2020

For example, if a home sale is contingent or pending, can you still make an offer? Let’s take a closer look at the meaning of contingent , so you can see how it might affect a home you are looking to buy. For example, some agents will mark your home contingent, while others will mark pending. What does Contingent Mean?

Backup offer