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16 Tips to Win a Bidding War on a House

The Close

The less your buyers need to finance, the less likely the deal will fall through. They only had to finance a small part of the home loan (less than $100,000) after they offered to pay 80% of the list price in cash. Offer a Sizeable Down Payment Make a big impression by offering a large earnest money deposit (EMD) to hold the contract.

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Get Your Own Slice of the Big Apple: Buying a House in Manhattan

HomeLight

Being able to afford a home in this swanky NYC borough means enjoying unparalleled access to the world’s preeminent nexus of culture, cuisine, architecture, and finance. A lot of times, it’s not unusual for a homebuyer to submit an offer, and they’re being asked to wire over 10% within a week” for an earnest money deposit.

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Everything You Need to Know About Making an Offer: 15 Tips for Homebuyers

HomeLight

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.

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I Have to Make an Offer Contingent Upon Selling My House. How Do I Sweeten the Deal?

HomeLight

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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How to Buy a House in San Diego: 14 Steps to Close the Sale

HomeLight

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!

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Closing on a House Checklist: 6 Things Home Buyers Must Do Before They Move In

Realtor.com

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.

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What Is a Home Sale Contingency?

HomeLight

Financing Contingency: If the buyer’s mortgage proceedings fall through, they can walk away from the home. Appraisal Contingency: If the appraisal fails to meet or exceed the purchase price, the buyer can back out of the contract (or, more often, renegotiate the purchase price). Offer a larger earnest money deposit.