Design Earnest money deposit Inspection contingency 
Redfin
JULY 14, 2025
Earnest money is a good-faith deposit buyers make when submitting an offer on a home. It’s designed to show the seller they’re serious about the purchase and typically ranges from 1% to 3% of the purchase price. The money is held in escrow and is typically applied towards the buyer’s closing costs or down payment.
Redfin
AUGUST 5, 2025
If the conditions stipulated in the contingency clause are not met, the buyer can break the contract without facing financial repercussions. Therefore, contingencies are a means of providing buyers with protection against the risks involved in purchasing a home. What is a no-contingency offer? When is a contingent offer best?
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Redfin
JUNE 27, 2025
What many first-time buyers don’t realize is that there are national, state, and even local programs designed to help break down these barriers for new buyers. If major repairs are needed, you may be able to use the inspection report to negotiate repairs or a lower purchase price. How much money do I need to buy a home?
Housing Wire
SEPTEMBER 9, 2024
The new rules mandated by the National Association of Realtors’ (NAR) antitrust settlement are designed to encourage more negotiations for buyer agent commissions. Almost a month after the rules went into effect, that appears to be happening.
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?
Realty Biz
FEBRUARY 20, 2021
The home buying contingencies below should be completely understood before signing on the dotted line of a purchase and sale agreement. Home inspection: often called a due diligence contingency, will give the buyer rights to have the house inspected. Most buyers will have a home inspection contingency in their contract.
HomeLight
JANUARY 12, 2024
Contingencies provide a way to back out of the real estate transaction without penalty under certain circumstances. They are essentially clauses in your purchase agreement that are designed to protect you from unforeseen issues, like problems unearthed during a home inspection or difficulties securing financing.
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