article thumbnail

3 Times Your Earnest Money Deposit Could Be At Risk

Dwell Real Estate

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

article thumbnail

3 Times Your Earnest Money Deposit Could Be At Risk

Dwell Real Estate

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

Insiders

Sign Up for our Newsletter

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

article thumbnail

Mortgage Contingency Date vs. Closing Date: Walking the TimeLine Tightrope

HomeLight

When buying a house, balancing all the finances and deadlines can feel like walking a tightrope. Your goal is to safely make it to the closing date without the deal falling through. In this guide, we’ll break down the mortgage contingency date vs. the closing date, and how contingencies can impact your journey to homeownership.

article thumbnail

What Is a Mortgage Contingency? Purchase Offer Protection

HomeLight

A mortgage contingency protects you in such situations, ensuring that you’re not left holding an empty bag if the financing falls through. These typically include the amount of time you have to secure financing and the acceptable terms of the mortgage (like interest rate and loan type). Essentially, it’s a safety net.

article thumbnail

5 tips for buying a home in a seller’s housing market

Housing Wire

Waiving a contingency or two can also help, as can a larger earnest money deposit or being flexible with your closing date. . If you take time to prep your credit and finances, get pre-approved for your mortgage and enlist a great agent, achieving the American Dream may be easier than it seems. The bottom line.

article thumbnail

How Can a Buyer Get Their Earnest Money Back?

Realty Biz

You must put up an earnest money deposit when you buy a home. The purpose of earnest money is to show you're serious about buying. Many people refer to earnest money as a good-faith deposit. It is held in escrow until closing or until the buyer or seller terminates the contract.

article thumbnail

How to Protect Your Earnest Money When Buying a House

HomeLight

Before you submit your bid, it’s important to understand what an Earnest Money Deposit (EMD) is, how you can use one to strengthen your offer, and how to protect your money should anything come up during your home-buying process. In higher-priced or competitive markets, deposits can reach up to 10%.