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From consultation to closing: The definitive homebuying checklist

Housing Wire

Offers: Outline how making a competitive offer will work, including how price, contingencies, due diligence funds, and earnest money will impact how the seller views an offer. These include contingency deadlines, financing requirements, inspection periods, and closing dates.

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What is Due Diligence in Real Estate?

Redfin

You put an offer on a home and it’s been accepted, now the due diligence period begins. In real estate, the due diligence period is the time between an accepted offer and closing. Table of contents What is due diligence in real estate? What happens in the due diligence period?

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Earnest Money vs. Due Diligence in Real Estate: Key Distinctions Buyers Should Know

Redfin

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.

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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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9 Smart Tips for Making an Offer on a House That Stands Out

Redfin

Without a clear plan in place, you risk overcommitting yourself or falling in love with a home that stretches your finances too thin. This is more than just pre-qualification: It shows a lender has already vetted your finances. In the average market, a typical earnest money deposit is 1-3% of the home’s purchase price.

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A Seller’s Guide To When A Buyer Does and Doesn’t Get Their Earnest Money Back

HomeLight

If the appraisal comes in below the purchase price in the contract, the buyer can back out of the contract and receive their earnest money. The Financing Contingency : This contingency, sometimes called a mortgage contingency, is also only applicable to offers requiring a mortgage to purchase the property.

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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.