Remove Due diligence Remove Earnest money deposit Remove Inspection
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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. Clarify key steps like inspections, appraisals, and the importance of meeting deadlines and any impacts of missing them.

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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. You can schedule inspections, review the title, secure an appraisal, and check for any red flags that could affect your decision to buy.

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

Redfin

In addition to getting pre-approved, having cash reserves prepared for your earnest money deposit and other closing expenses is also one of the top tips for making an offer on a house. In the average market, a typical earnest money deposit is 1-3% of the home’s purchase price.

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What Happens if the Inspection Contingency Expires on a Home Offer?

HomeLight

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? Will you lose the house?

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

HomeLight

Suppose the inspection uncovers issues that are unacceptable to the buyer. Finally, in very competitive markets, some buyers may choose to remove certain contingencies altogether, and have their earnest money “go hard,” meaning become non-refundable, after a certain period of time (such as after a very short inspection period).

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Due Diligence in Real Estate

AAOA

Due diligence is a critical step in purchasing real estate. This includes performing physical due diligence on the building, financial due diligence by reviewing financial records and all the paperwork, and legal due diligence to ensure everything is in order from a legal perspective.