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Here’s What Your Real Estate Agent Means When They Say “We’re In Escrow”

Redfin

When a home is in escrow, it means the buyer and seller have signed a purchase agreement, and an escrow account has been opened to securely hold the buyer’s earnest money deposit. The escrow account holds the deposit along with important documents like the purchase contract, loan paperwork, and the deed.

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What is Due Diligence in Real Estate?

Redfin

You can schedule inspections, review the title, secure an appraisal, and check for any red flags that could affect your decision to buy. While not required everywhere, it’s an important part of the process in certain markets and is separate from the earnest money deposit. What happens in the due diligence period?

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Should You Make a Clean, No-Contingency Offer?

Redfin

Contingent offers protect your earnest money deposit In real estate transactions, once an offer is accepted, buyers demonstrate their seriousness by sealing it with a deposit of earnest money. Sometimes, buyers need more than money to get the deal done. What is a contingency?

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7 Common Contingencies in Real Estate That Buyers Should Know

Redfin

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. The title company typically conducts this search shortly after the contract is signed.

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17 First-Time Homebuyer Mistakes to Consider and How to Avoid Them

Redfin

Not getting pre-approved for a home loan before starting your search A common mistake for first-time homebuyers is jumping into the search without first getting pre-approved for a mortgage. These can greatly affect both the quality of your purchase and your bottom-line expense.

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Is Earnest Money Refundable? When You Can (and Can’t) Get It Back

Redfin

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.

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Home Buying Process Timeline: 17 Steps Every Buyer Should Know

Redfin

Determine your budget Estimated time: 2-4 weeks Before jumping into your home search the first step is to determine how much you can afford. Decide on important terms like earnest money deposits, contingencies (inspection, financing), and closing dates that can make your offer stand out. What is your commute tolerance?