Redfin

JULY 21, 2025

Contingencies provide legal exits for specific situations. Backing out without cause may result in losing your earnest money deposit. Common contingencies include: Financing contingency: Protects buyers if they can’t secure a mortgage loan. When is an ideal time to back out?

Earnest money deposit

Redfin

JULY 10, 2025

Offering a due diligence fee shows you’re serious and willing to put money on the line, which can make your offer more appealing to sellers comparing multiple bids. Due diligence fees are paid directly to the seller at the start of the inspection period to secure your right to evaluate the property.

Due diligence

Redfin

JULY 9, 2025

Decide on important terms like earnest money deposits, contingencies (inspection, financing), and closing dates that can make your offer stand out. During this time, your lender will finalize your mortgage, the home will be appraised and inspected, and a title search will be conducted.

Pre-approval

Redfin

JUNE 27, 2025

If major repairs are needed, you may be able to use the inspection report to negotiate repairs or a lower purchase price. 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

AUGUST 5, 2025

Getting to the closing table means simply completing the inspection process and making sure all the title work is in order. Talk to the financial institution holding your money and ask if they’d provide a letter stating you’re able to make a cash purchase up to the specified amount. Attach this document with your offer letter.

Earnest money deposit

Realtor.com

OCTOBER 29, 2020

These are the most common contingencies that are part of your new home closing process: Home inspection contingency: This gives buyers the right to have the home professionally inspected. It’s rarely advisable to waive an inspection contingency. Clear the title. Plan to sign a ton of paperwork.

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

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. Appraisal contingency.

Earnest money deposit

Norada Real Estate

APRIL 15, 2023

Home Inspection Contingency One of the most common contingencies that can affect the length of the under-contract period is the home inspection contingency. This contingency allows the buyer to have the home inspected and negotiate repairs or credits with the seller.

Earnest money deposit

HomeLight

OCTOBER 30, 2020

With cash, buyers are able to waive common contingencies, making the deal smoother and faster (not to mention sweeter for the seller). However, an inspection contingency will often be used by any buyer, whether they’re using financing or paying cash. The title isn’t clear. Source: (mizar_21984 / ShutterStock).

Closing

RIS Media

MAY 19, 2021

Not all sales will have contingencies with them, but most will. Common real estate contingencies include the following: Inspection Contingencies. The most common contingency is the home inspection contingency. Buyers need to keep track of their mortgage contingency to make sure it doesn’t lapse.

Purchase and sale agreement

HomeLight

MARCH 2, 2023

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.

Closing

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 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

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). According to the latest data from the Realtors Confidence Index (RCI), 76% of purchase contracts contain contingencies , and around 7% of contracts are terminated.

Earnest money deposit

HomeLight

MARCH 6, 2023

This is a second mortgage on the home, with no interest and no monthly payment, deferred until such time the property is sold, rented, or the title is transferred. Who customarily chooses the title company can vary by county — but if it is the buyer’s choice, your real estate agent or mortgage lender will likely have a recommendation.

Earnest money deposit

Realty Biz

APRIL 20, 2022

Let’s look at the most common contingencies in an offer and what they mean to buyers and sellers. Common Contingencies Found in an Offer to Purchase. Home Inspection Contingency. One of the most common terms in an offer is the home inspection contingency clause.

Purchase and sale agreement

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. Appraisal contingency.

Earnest money deposit

Point2Homes

DECEMBER 23, 2021

Most likely, the buyer will then be expected to make an earnest money deposit fairly quickly, which will go into an escrow account until closing. Often, a title company or real estate agent might act as the escrow agent responsible for managing the funds as agreed upon in the contract.

Earnest money deposit

Realty Biz

NOVEMBER 11, 2020

If these contingencies aren’t met, the buyer can walk away from the deal. They will also get their earnest money deposit back , and the home will go back on the market. The home could be subject to a few different types of contingency. Home Inspection Contingency.

Backup offer

HomeLight

JULY 31, 2021

Earnest money deposit. As is the case with a regular retail home purchase, a cash buyer should provide an earnest money deposit (EMD) as a show of good faith that they will indeed purchase the property. Inspection period. Check to make sure the purchase contract contains no surprise contingencies.

Earnest money deposit

Realty Biz

AUGUST 22, 2022

I didn’t even include an inspection contingency. I’m almost certain that your biggest concern is about what will happen with your earnest money if you back out of the deal. As the buyer, you submit an earnest money deposit when you make an offer on a home. Now I have buyer’s regret.

Purchase and sale agreement

Redfin

JANUARY 26, 2022

PSAs can vary by state but they typically consist of the final sale price, earnest money details, closing date, title information, and contingencies agreed upon by the buyer and seller. In most areas, the buyer will need to deposit a personal or cashier’s check within one to three days of mutual acceptance.

Purchase and sale agreement

Redfin

AUGUST 29, 2024

You will also need to save money to put toward closing costs , about 2-5% of the purchase price. Closing costs typically include appraisal costs, home inspection fees, title insurance, and more. What’s an earnest money deposit? What is a home inspection contingency?

Earnest money deposit

HomeLight

MARCH 20, 2023

Other common contingency clauses include: Inspection Contingency: If the buyer finds fault with the home inspection report, they can ask for the seller to make repairs, or they can cancel the contract within the contingency period. Offer a larger earnest money deposit. Money talks!

Home sale contingency

HomeLight

APRIL 28, 2023

Let’s review some of the top points of negotiation you may encounter: Contingencies Buyers may ask for the offer to be contingent on other factors, such as the sale of their existing home or their ability to obtain financing. However some of these costs — such as title fees and escrow fees — can be negotiated in many instances.

Purchase and sale agreement

HomeLight

JANUARY 27, 2021

You can usually shop around for the home inspection , title and settlement services, and home insurance. This can save you some money on your closing costs versus going with whoever the lender works with as a default. Definitely include an inspection contingency. Of course, sellers love an inspection-free deal.

Closing costs

HomeLight

MARCH 31, 2022

Buyers may ask for the offer to be contingent on other factors, such as the sale of their existing home or their ability to obtain financing. A contingency-free contract is rare, but in a seller’s market, buyers are more likely to waive one or more to strengthen their offer. Earnest money. Closing costs. Closing date.

Purchase and sale agreement

HomeLight

JANUARY 3, 2023

Buyers may ask for the offer to be contingent on other factors, such as the sale of their existing home or their ability to obtain financing. A contingency-free contract is rare, but In a seller’s market, buyers are more likely to waive one or more to strengthen their offer. Earnest money. Closing costs. Closing date.

Purchase and sale agreement

HomeLight

MARCH 16, 2023

Ramcharitar says sellers also pay 2% of the sales price for closing costs and another 2% for title insurance. He adds that negotiations and home inspection issues could further reduce the price by 10%. Home-buying companies generally pick up the remainder of closing costs that total about 8% including title search and title insurance.

Sales

HomeLight

MARCH 31, 2022

Buyers may ask for the offer to be contingent on other factors, such as the sale of their existing home or their ability to obtain financing. A contingency-free contract is rare, but In a seller’s market, buyers are more likely to waive one or more to strengthen their offer. Earnest money. Closing costs. Closing date.

Purchase and sale agreement

HomeLight

FEBRUARY 28, 2021

Arlington offers an active lifestyle with more than 150 public parks and playgrounds and 80 miles of trails, earning the title of America’s Fittest City. Real estate experts recommend considering the following tactics to get a leg up in the current market: Include a sizable earnest money deposit with your offer.

Earnest money deposit

CT Homes

OCTOBER 30, 2020

Find and Qualify your Buyers Compare Contracts Offer Terms Inspection Contingency Earnest Money Deposit Closing Period Accept an offer and Open Escrow Monitor Transaction Deadlines Close Escrow. Where can you find “inspection period” on the contract? Earnest Money Deposit.

Earnest money deposit

CT Homes

OCTOBER 30, 2020

Find and Qualify your Buyers Compare Contracts Offer Terms Inspection Contingency Earnest Money Deposit Closing Period Accept an offer and Open Escrow Monitor Transaction Deadlines Close Escrow. Where can you find “inspection period” on the contract? Earnest Money Deposit.

Earnest money deposit

The Close

FEBRUARY 6, 2024

Offer a Sizeable Down Payment Make a big impression by offering a large earnest money deposit (EMD) to hold the contract. That could be a pretty sizable chunk of money from the seller’s profit. Additional concessions could be: Paying for title: This typically ranges from 1% to 2% of the home’s purchase price.

Pre-approval

HomeLight

JUNE 30, 2022

Transaction details: the purchase agreement and a copy of your earnest money deposit. Even in a competitive housing market, where buyers are waiving inspection contingencies , it’s always a good idea to get an inspection so you know what exactly is wrong with the house before you take ownership.

Purchase and sale agreement