Redfin

JUNE 11, 2025

In this article: Home inspection contingency Appraisal contingency Financing contingency Title contingency Home sale contingency Home insurance contingency Kick-out clause FAQs about contingencies in real estate 1. This real estate contingency protects buyers from overpaying and lenders from financing more than the home is worth.

Purchase and sale agreement

Redfin

FEBRUARY 18, 2025

Title insurance fees: The title company costs to ensure the title is free of issues. This is a huge advantage for buyers who may not have saved a large sum of money for a down payment. You can finance up to 100% of the appraised value of the home. This is a huge benefit, especially for first-time homebuyers.

Closing costs

Redfin

JULY 11, 2025

Buyer is unable to secure financing A financing or mortgage contingency protects buyers if they’re unable to get approved for a home loan. If this happens and they’ve included the right contingency, the buyer can usually walk away with their earnest money deposit.

Earnest money deposit

Redfin

MARCH 18, 2025

This deposit is usually between 1% and 3% of the homes purchase price, but the amount can vary based on the local market and the agreement between you and the seller. This ensures that neither the buyer nor the seller can access the money prematurely, protecting both parties during the transaction. You may receive a refund.

Closing

Redfin

JULY 21, 2025

Backing out without cause may result in losing your earnest money deposit. If you’re having doubts, want to reassess your finances, or simply change your mind, doing so before any paperwork is signed allows for a clean exit without risking earnest money or triggering legal consequences.

Earnest money deposit

Redfin

JULY 10, 2025

Whether earnest money is refundable depends on the contingencies in the purchase agreement. If the contract is canceled due to issues like a failed inspection or financing problems, the buyer typically gets the money back. >> Read: What Happens to Earnest Money as Closing? Is it refundable?

Due diligence

Redfin

JULY 9, 2025

It’s also a good time to check your finances. Decide on important terms like earnest money deposits, contingencies (inspection, financing), and closing dates that can make your offer stand out. Once the transaction closes, you’ll receive a final title policy as part of your closing documents.

Pre-approval

Redfin

JUNE 27, 2025

But stretching your finances too thin can lead to years of stress, missed payments, or even having to sell before you’re ready. If no agreement is reached and you have an inspection contingency, you can cancel the sale without penalty and get your earnest money back. How much money do I need to buy a home?

Pre-approval

Redfin

JULY 30, 2025

It covers a variety of fees like lender and title fees, property taxes, home inspection, and homeowners insurance, to name a few. Pre-qualification: An informal lender evaluation of your finances, estimating affordability. Get the keys: Once the funds have been exchanged and all documents signed, the title will be in your name.

Pre-approval

Redfin

AUGUST 5, 2025

In a multiple-offer situation, sellers look at a number of different variables between offers, from inspection timelines to appraisal guarantees, to financing terms. Cash offers often outcompete buyers with higher financed offers. Offer a high earnest money amount Offer a high earnest money deposit when making a cash offer.

Earnest money deposit

HomeLight

JUNE 23, 2022

It is usually held in the broker’s or title company’s trust or escrow account until closing. The earnest money typically goes towards the buyer’s down payment or closing costs. 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.

Earnest money deposit

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. Clear the title. Review your closing disclosure.

Closing

Dwell Real Estate

JULY 10, 2020

The earnest money deposit—the cash you as a buyer offer to essentially call dibs on real estate—is one of the most important (and often misunderstood) parts of the home-buying process. In the Sarasota area, home buyers will usually put down anywhere from 1 to 5 of the real estate purchase price as earnest money. (If

Earnest money deposit

Dwell Real Estate

JULY 10, 2020

The earnest money deposit—the cash you as a buyer offer to essentially call dibs on real estate—is one of the most important (and often misunderstood) parts of the home-buying process. In the Sarasota area, home buyers will usually put down anywhere from 1% to 5% of the real estate purchase price as earnest money. (If

Earnest money deposit

HomeLight

JUNE 9, 2023

Believe it or not, there are actually home sellers who offer to loan buyers the money to purchase their property: it’s called owner financing. Learn More What is owner financing? With seller financing, the seller can lend the buyer the additional $40,000 needed to make up the difference. Step one: Talk to an expert!

Finance

Point2Homes

NOVEMBER 29, 2022

The earnest money deposit. Title checks. Generally, these are detailed in the conditional offer and may relate to a favorable home inspection , the go-ahead for taking out a mortgage and clear title checks. Once in the escrow account, any money, deeds, paperwork and title checks are safe and secure.

Earnest money deposit

Realty Biz

APRIL 17, 2023

You must put up an earnest money deposit when you buy a home. The purpose of earnest money is to show you're serious about buying. Many people refer to earnest money as a good-faith deposit. Earnest money deposits can be used as leverage in negotiations.

Earnest money deposit

Realty Biz

AUGUST 8, 2022

If the buyer and seller have different expectations about the closing time frame, earnest money deposit, contract contingencies , or items included in the sale. Dealing with Title Issues. The home’s title will be checked in the period before closing. Financing Arrangements. Negotiating Contract Terms.

Earnest money deposit

HomeLight

MARCH 7, 2024

You’ve planned, juggled finances, worried about finding the right house, and then you finally sign a contract. This comprehensive document details everything from the purchase price, down payment, and financing terms to contingencies, closing dates, and any specific conditions both parties must meet before the sale can be finalized.

Purchase and sale agreement

HomeLight

JULY 26, 2022

Maybe there are liens or judgments against the title — or maybe they don’t actually own the home they’re trying to sell. Agents] provide the contract, we’ll make sure everything is signed and dated just like it needs to be, we’ll make sure their lender gets it, and it gets sent to the title company. Financing contingency.

Earnest money deposit

HomeLight

SEPTEMBER 1, 2022

These programs include: Connecticut Housing Finance Authority (CHFA) : The Connecticut Housing Finance Authority offers down payment assistance to first-time buyers in the form of a second mortgage called a DAP loan. Both the down payment and closing costs can be financed up to $20,000, with an interest rate of just 1.0%.

Earnest money deposit

HomeLight

JULY 12, 2024

Here’s what you can expect: Title search: Verifying the property’s legal ownership and any existing liens or claims. Buyer financing and insurance: Securing a mortgage and obtaining homeowner’s insurance. If the purchase agreement falls through and it’s determined to be the buyer’s fault, the seller usually keeps the money.

Purchase and sale agreement

Realty Biz

SEPTEMBER 11, 2023

Here are the key factors that can disrupt the path to a closed real estate deal: Financing Issues One of the most prevalent causes of deals falling through is financing problems. Additionally, low appraisals can lead to financing issues as they can affect the agreed-upon price.

Earnest money deposit

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. Borrowers must meet specific income requirements and must contribute at least 3% of the purchase price.

Closing

HomeLight

AUGUST 31, 2021

Sellers can expect to pay between 6%-10% of the final sale price in commissions and closing costs, so it’s nice to see exactly where that money is going. A settlement statement is an itemized list of fees and credits summarizing the finances of an entire real estate transaction. Source: ( American Land and Title Association ).

Earnest money deposit

HomeLight

MARCH 6, 2023

Consider the following down payment assistance programs in the Bay Area: Golden State Finance Authority (GSFA) : The GSFA offers several programs that can help low-to-moderate-income homebuyers in California purchase a home by providing up to 5.5% down payment and/or closing cost assistance. Loans are between 3%-3.5%

Earnest money deposit

CT Homes

NOVEMBER 24, 2020

I.e. they’re giving up the right to… perform further inspections review seller’s disclosures confirm clean ownership with a title report complete a final walkthrough… … in addition to plenty of other protections that are standard in a purchase contract. Low Earnest Money Deposit.

Earnest money deposit

HomeLight

OCTOBER 1, 2020

You now have skin in the game in the form of your earnest money deposit, plus you have a legal duty to buy the home (barring certain circumstances). So as a buyer, you should have a contingency in your contract to protect you in case you can’t get proper financing for the home. Financing contingency.

Earnest money deposit

Norada Real Estate

APRIL 15, 2023

Additionally, the type of financing being used, such as FHA or VA loans, can also impact the length of the under-contract period. Financing Contingency Another factor that can impact the length of the under-contract period is the financing contingency. The post How Long Can a House Be Under Contract?

Earnest money deposit

HomeLight

SEPTEMBER 1, 2022

Your buyer’s agent will be able to help you create a wishlist , set up viewing appointments for you, tell you more about what’s going on in the neighborhood, negotiate on your behalf, and connect you with other vendors such as a title company, insurance agent, and home inspector. Earnest money deposit amount.

Earnest money deposit

HomeLight

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020

You’re finally ready to purchase a home and after doing some research online, you think that exploring your options around how to buy a HUD Home might be a good fit for your lifestyle and finances. Next, explore financing options. How does bidding work? Can you walk through the homes before you buy them? of the purchase price.

Earnest money deposit

HomeLight

OCTOBER 30, 2020

A cash deal can close in as little as 7 days, while financed home purchases tend to take an average of 45 days to close. With a mortgage, there are all kinds of things that can go wrong to delay closing — financing issues and appraisals coming in low are two of the most common. Financing issues. The title isn’t clear.

Closing

HomeLight

JULY 31, 2022

Some states require that a real estate attorney be involved in every home closing while other states allow real estate agents and title companies to handle it. The template will include your offer price, down payment amount, earnest money deposit, contingencies, and desired closing date. Financing contingency.

Earnest money deposit

Redfin

MARCH 12, 2021

However, your offer likely won’t receive the seller’s serious consideration without putting a good faith deposit down of some kind. Where does the earnest money go? . In most cases, your earnest money deposit is paid to the escrow or title company , which holds it in an escrow account until the transaction closes.

Earnest money deposit

RIS Media

MAY 19, 2021

Financing or Mortgage Contingencies. The majority of homebuyers use a mortgage to finance their purchases. The financing contingency makes sure that the buyer can secure the amount of finance they need for the purchase. Financing problems delay closing in around a third of all real estate transactions.

Purchase and sale agreement

Realty Biz

APRIL 20, 2022

Mortgage Financing Clause. Most home buyers do not have the finances available to buy without a mortgage. So financing is one of the common contingencies in an offer. Your credit score , income, and debt will contribute to the financing that is offered by lenders.

Purchase and sale agreement

Realty Biz

NOVEMBER 11, 2020

They will also get their earnest money deposit back , and the home will go back on the market. The Mortgage Financing Contingency. While it is rarer for a home sale to fall apart because of a buyer not getting financing, it is still something where due diligence is essential. These appraisal tips will help.

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