Redfin

JULY 15, 2025

One way to do this is with a home sale contingency. Key takeaways A home sale contingency protects buyers from owning two properties at once. When deciding to accept a home sale contingency, consider market conditions and personal timing preferences. Table of Contents What is a home sale contingency?

Home sale contingency 31

Home sale contingency Purchase and sale agreement Earnest money deposit Sales 31

Redfin

JUNE 11, 2025

In this article: Home inspection contingency Appraisal contingency Financing contingency Title contingency Home sale contingency Home insurance contingency Kick-out clause FAQs about contingencies in real estate 1. If financing falls through, buyers can withdraw and get their earnest money back.

Purchase and sale agreement 31

Purchase and sale agreement Home sale contingency Inspection contingency Earnest money deposit 31

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 53

Pre-approval Closing costs Purchase and sale agreement Inspection 53

BAM Media

MARCH 5, 2025

A Strong Earnest Money Deposit A standard deposit is 5%, but serious buyers should consider going higher10%, 15%, or even more. The bigger the deposit, the stronger the commitment. Sellers want certainty, and a significant deposit shows that your buyer is serious. But price alone isnt always enough.

Earnest money deposit 66

Earnest money deposit Agents Inspection Marketing 66

Redfin

JULY 11, 2025

This good-faith payment, typically 1% to 3% of the purchase price, is held in escrow and applied to your down payment or closing costs if the sale goes through. That means if the sale is completed, the money is not refunded – it’s credited toward what you owe. When is earnest money refundable?

Earnest money deposit 31

Earnest money deposit Purchase and sale agreement Escrow holder Pre-approval 31

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 31

Due diligence Purchase and sale agreement Inspection Earnest money deposit 31

Redfin

JULY 14, 2025

Walking away from one could cost you your earnest money deposit (typically 1%–3% of the home price), and in some cases, you could even be sued for breach of contract. For example, a home sale contingency or financing contingency can create legal room to back out without penalty. Yes, it’s legal but there’s a catch.

Earnest money deposit 31

Earnest money deposit Pre-approval Home sale contingency Agents 31

Redfin

MARCH 18, 2025

Understanding how earnest money works can help you feel more confident as you move through the homebuying process. This Redfin article will break down exactly what happens to your earnest money at closing, and what to expect in different scenarios. What is earnest money? You may receive a refund.

Closing 43

Closing Purchase and sale agreement Earnest money deposit Seller concession 43

Redfin

JULY 9, 2025

Are you looking at homes for sale in Juneau, AK or Miami, FL ? Work with your agent to determine a competitive price based on recent sales, current market demand, and how many buyers are interested. Make sure you’ve paid down your credit cards and that your credit score is in good shape. How many bedrooms do you need?

Pre-approval 31

Pre-approval Purchase and sale agreement Earnest money deposit Inspection 31

Redfin

FEBRUARY 18, 2025

These costs are in addition to the purchase price of the home (if you’re buying) or the proceeds from the sale (if you’re selling). Can you roll closing costs into your mortgage? The answer is a bit of a yes and noit’s a double-edged sword. Title insurance fees: The title company costs to ensure the title is free of issues.

Closing costs 52

Closing costs Closing VA loan Seller concession 52

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. (585) 704-7095 Contact Now Search Homes Home Fair Housing S.O.P. After the chaos of the pandemic and a booming seller’s market, 2023 might be a better time to buy a house.

Purchase and sale agreement 52

Purchase and sale agreement Earnest money deposit Pre-approval Debt-to-income ratio 52

Redfin

JUNE 30, 2025

If you’re not working with a real estate agent Also known as purchasing “for sale by owner,” buying a home without a real estate agent means you’ll be responsible for drafting and submitting the offer yourself, handling all negotiations, and managing the paperwork. In this article: What is a real estate offer?

Earnest money deposit 31

Earnest money deposit Purchase and sale agreement Pre-approval Inspection 31

Rochester Real Estate

NOVEMBER 5, 2015

What To Expect From Your Listing Agent Why For Sale By Owners (FSBOs) Fail Blog Featured Articles Home Buying Home Selling LOCAL Rochester NY Articles Should I Waive My Home Inspection When Buying A House? Yes, they save money by not getting the home inspection done. (585) 704-7095 Contact Now Search Homes Home Fair Housing S.O.P.

Inspection 52

Inspection Earnest money deposit Inspection contingency Agents 52

Redfin

MARCH 26, 2025

Quick answer: A financing contingency gives buyers a way to walk away from the deal and keep their deposit if their loan application is denied. If your loan falls through, you could lose your earnest money or even be legally obligated to follow through with the purchase. What is a financing contingency in real estate?

Finance 52

Finance Pre-approval Purchase and sale agreement Earnest money deposit 52

Redfin

MARCH 7, 2025

Since the home inspection is primarily for the buyer’s benefit, ensuring the property is in good condition before finalizing the sale, the buyer usually covers the cost. One of the most common questions that come up during this phase is: who pays for the home inspection? What is a home inspection? Who pays for the home inspection?

Inspection 39

Inspection Inspection contingency Earnest money deposit Purchase and sale agreement 39

Rochester Real Estate

NOVEMBER 5, 2015

(585) 704-7095 Contact Now Search Homes Home Fair Housing S.O.P. Top Mortgage Blogs From 2017 Best Mortgage & Home Financing Blogs From 2017 We’re back! This week we’re highlighting the best mortgage blogs from this year! Top Reasons Why Home Buyers Can’t Qualify For A Mortgage “Why Can’t I Get A Mortgage?”

Finance 52

Finance Mortgages VA loan Pre-approval 52

Housing Wire

APRIL 9, 2025

I have even seen non-refundable earnest money deposits, Joe Tamburo, a Bergen County-based Coldwell Banker Realty broker, said. I have even seen non-refundable earnest money deposits, Joe Tamburo, a Bergen County-based Coldwell Banker Realty broker, said. They are doing just about everything. It was crazy.

Earnest money deposit 380

Earnest money deposit Marketing Inspection Mortgages 380

Housing Wire

DECEMBER 10, 2020

JetClosing was built to operate in a fully digital world, so we are well-positioned to help our agent and lender partners adjust to recent shifts in business operations and consumer preferences brought on by the pandemic,” said Matt Rockhold, vice president of sales at JetClosing.

Earnest money deposit 417

Earnest money deposit Marketing Title Closing 417

Housing Wire

FEBRUARY 9, 2021

Specifically, they want to be sure it’s worth the money they’re lending you and, most importantly, that they’ll recoup their investment if you default on the loan. This leaves you with three options if you want to move forward with the sale. Put simply, it’s a risk-mitigating measure. But what does it mean for you as the buyer?

Earnest money deposit 468

Earnest money deposit Seller concession Loans Lending 468

Realtor.com

DECEMBER 3, 2020

Your earnest money deposit was too ‘cheap’ If there’s one part of the offer you shouldn’t cheap out on, it’s the earnest money deposit. Natee Meepian/Getty Images For first-time home buyers, finding the perfect place to settle down is hard enough. But hold on!

Earnest money deposit 145

Earnest money deposit Due diligence Home sale contingency Agents 145

Realty Biz

JULY 17, 2022

Kick-Out Clause vs. Home Sale Contingency. When the real estate market favors sellers home sale contingencies almost become extinct. In hot markets there would never be a need for a seller to even considered a home sale clause. Most real estate agents would laugh at the thought of seeing an offer with a home sale contingency.

Home sale contingency 132

Home sale contingency Purchase and sale agreement Sales Earnest money deposit 132

HomeLight

JUNE 23, 2022

If you need assistance navigating the legalities of keeping earnest money from a real estate transaction, HomeLight always encourages you to reach out to your own advisor. What is earnest money? Earnest money is often referred to as a “good faith” deposit. 5k for a $500K home).

Earnest money deposit 111

Earnest money deposit Purchase and sale agreement Due diligence Home sale contingency 111

HomeLight

DECEMBER 12, 2023

A common worry among homebuyers is to find the perfect house, put down a deposit with an accepted offer, and then learn that your mortgage application is denied — you lose both the house and your earnest money. The most experienced agents know how to safeguard your earnest money and time.

Earnest money deposit 115

Earnest money deposit Mortgages Purchase and sale agreement Finance 115

HomeLight

JUNE 29, 2022

Before you post the “for sale” sign in your front yard, it’s important to prepare yourself for a critical part of the home-selling process : negotiating with buyers. Here are nine expert house negotiation tactics to help you on your way to a successful sale. Making enough money off the sale to fund the downpayment on a new home.

Earnest money deposit 111

Earnest money deposit Purchase and sale agreement Closing costs Inspection 111

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 40

Earnest money deposit Inspection contingency Purchase and sale agreement Pre-approval 40

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 40

Earnest money deposit Inspection contingency Purchase and sale agreement Pre-approval 40

HomeLight

JANUARY 19, 2024

But it can also tilt a sale in your favor. You can then make a strong offer on your next home with no home sale contingency. This clause can play a huge role in a home sale because it protects you from losing your earnest money deposit or facing legal action if you’re unable to secure a mortgage.

Earnest money deposit 111

Earnest money deposit Purchase and sale agreement Mortgages Home sale contingency 111

RIS Media

OCTOBER 22, 2020

As the real estate market continues its hot streak, homes are selling faster and receiving more offers than ever before. With listings receiving multiple offers, you have to make your client’s offer be the one that stands out. Finding Homes for Your Clients. Do not write an offer on a home that your client is not interested in.

Earnest money deposit 127

Earnest money deposit Pre-approval Marketing Proof of funds 127

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). They’re protective clauses you put in your contract with the seller that allow you an out if certain conditions of the sale aren’t met.

Earnest money deposit 98

Earnest money deposit Purchase and sale agreement Sales Home sale contingency 98

HomeLight

SEPTEMBER 11, 2020

No sales contingency? Make sure your agent stresses that your offer doesn’t contain a sales contingency. Source: (Andrea Piacquadio / Pexels). Educate yourself about how offers work. Basic overview: You’ll work with your agent to deliver the offer to the seller’s agent on the forms used in your state. Get preapproved for a mortgage.

Earnest money deposit 98

Earnest money deposit Purchase and sale agreement Inspection contingency Home sale contingency 98

CT Homes

AUGUST 31, 2020

Completing a successful Real Estate Transaction is difficult. It takes several moving parts coming together at the right time to get a deal to the finish line. Even when you have a signed contract you still need the inspection, appraisal, insurance and closing to go off without a hitch. Financing Issues. There is also the issue of the appraisal.

Earnest money deposit 105

Earnest money deposit Pre-qualification Pre-approval Inspection 105

HomeLight

JANUARY 10, 2024

Essentially, they provide a way to back out of the sale if specific criteria aren’t fulfilled without facing penalties. Essentially, they provide a way to back out of the sale if specific criteria aren’t fulfilled without facing penalties. When buying a home, you’ll need to sign a contract with the seller.

Earnest money deposit 116

Earnest money deposit Purchase and sale agreement Inspection contingency Inspection 116

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 118

Closing Earnest money deposit Sales Inspection 118

Realty Biz

NOVEMBER 11, 2020

When you begin an online search for a home, you may find some sale statuses you don’t fully understand. It is fairly obvious what is meant when homes have a status of “for sale” or “sold,” but some statuses may not be as clear. For example, if a home sale is contingent or pending, can you still make an offer?

Backup offer 111

Backup offer Home sale contingency Sales Earnest money deposit 111

Easy Agent Pro

SEPTEMBER 5, 2023

Carefully consider factors like inventory levels, average sale prices, and average days on the market before making decisions. Offering a Higher Earnest Money Deposit An earnest money deposit is a good faith deposit that demonstrates your seriousness and commitment to the purchase.

Earnest money deposit 104

Earnest money deposit Seller concession Purchase and sale agreement Pre-approval 104

Point2Homes

NOVEMBER 29, 2022

The earnest money deposit. However, since a real estate transaction is rarely as straightforward as sending the seller the agreed amount of money and getting the deeds in return, using escrow is strongly recommended. Once in the escrow account, any money, deeds, paperwork and title checks are safe and secure.

Earnest money deposit 85

Earnest money deposit Purchase and sale agreement Title Inspection 85

HomeLight

JUNE 28, 2023

But the first financial step toward making it all happen is presenting an offer with earnest money. Get Started What is earnest money in real estate? Earnest money, also known as a good faith deposit, is the funds that a buyer puts down to show that they are serious about purchasing a piece of real estate from a seller.

Earnest money deposit 97

Earnest money deposit Closing costs Agents Closing 97