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Best and Final Offer (BAFO): What It Means For Buyers and Sellers

Redfin

Earnest money deposit: A higher deposit signals serious intent and financial stability. When reviewing final offers, consider: The buyer’s financial strength by reviewing pre-approval letters, lending documents, or tax returns. Showing you’re serious with a solid earnest money deposit.

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Home Buying Process Timeline: 17 Steps Every Buyer Should Know

Redfin

Get pre-approved for a mortgage Estimated time: 1-2 weeks A mortgage pre-approva l is a lender’s assessment of how much they’re willing to lend you based on your income, assets, debts, and credit history. It not only keeps you realistic about your options, but it also signals to sellers that you’re a qualified and serious buyer.

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What to Know About Buying a Home For The First Time

Rochester Real Estate

A mortgage lender will check your credit score and financial history to decide how much they can lend to you. If your offer is accepted, you will sign a purchase agreement and pay an earnest money deposit. Before you begin looking for a new home, check your credit reports.

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How the Financing Contingency Works: Why Buyers Should Think Twice Before Waiving It

Redfin

Have a backup plan: In the event that financing is not secured, having alternative options such as a bridge loan or private lending in place can help protect the buyer. Earnest money protection: This is the core of the clause – it ensures the buyer can walk away and keep their earnest money deposit if financing falls through.

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The Best Mortgage Blogs From 2017 | Advice For Home Financing

Rochester Real Estate

In the simplest terms the main difference is that a bank has its own lending criteria and offers loans by using its own funds. Some of the homeowners were victims of predatory lending practices. Not only could a delay cost you your dream home, but also the earnest money you put down on it.

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Deeper asset history unlocks new lending opportunities

Housing Wire

Or maybe the lender just needs to verify the source of a borrower’s earnest money deposit. The post Deeper asset history unlocks new lending opportunities appeared first on HousingWire. Perhaps the loan is associated with a construction project that could take an unknown number of months to complete.

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What is a home appraisal gap?

Housing Wire

Specifically, they want to be sure it’s worth the money they’re lending you and, most importantly, that they’ll recoup their investment if you default on the loan. If you didn’t have the contingency, you’d have to forfeit your earnest money deposit in order to back out. The purpose? One more option.