Earnest money deposit Finance Rent back 
Redfin
JULY 30, 2025
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.
Redfin
JULY 17, 2025
. >>Read: 5 Ways to Win a Real Estate Bidding War without the Highest Bid How does it differ from other offers Unlike an initial offer, which may leave room for negotiation, a best and final offer is meant to reflect the maximum price and best terms you’re willing to offer—including contingencies, closing timeline , and financing details.
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Redfin
JUNE 12, 2025
Fewer contingencies: Too many contingencies (inspection, appraisal, financing) can make a deal feel risky. Strong earnest money deposit: A higher deposit signals you’re serious and financially committed; giving sellers more peace of mind. Simpler, cleaner offers usually win.
HomeLight
SEPTEMBER 11, 2020
Your offer will be stronger if you build in some wiggle room relating to factors that might seriously entice the seller to pick you: Can you offer rent-back? Determine how much earnest money to offer. The customary amount to put down as an earnest money deposit will vary based on your market.
Realtor.com
OCTOBER 29, 2020
If the appraised value is less than the sale price, the contingency enables you to back out of the deal without forfeiting your earnest money deposit , says Bishoi Nageh , president of the Petra Cephas Team at Mortgage Network Solutions, in Somerset, NJ. Review your closing disclosure.
HomeLight
MARCH 2, 2023
My Home California Down Payment Assistance : California Housing Finance Agency (CalHFA), offers first-time homebuyers deferred payment loans through both FHA and conventional programs, to assist with down payment and/or closing costs. Do they need to do a rent-back on the house, or do they want a quick close? Closing time!
HomeLight
JUNE 30, 2021
A financing contingency — which says that if your lender can’t close the mortgage on your home, you can back out — will protect you if you need to sell your current home to get the money to qualify for your new loan. Ask for a rent-back clause. In hot markets, many sellers are asking for — and getting — rent-backs.
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