Redfin

JULY 17, 2025

Earnest money deposit: A higher deposit signals serious intent and financial stability. Get pre-approved: A pre-approval shows the seller you’re financially ready and serious—it’s stronger than a pre-qualification. Showing you’re serious with a solid earnest money deposit.

Earnest money deposit

Rochester Real Estate

NOVEMBER 5, 2015

In the simplest terms the main difference is that a bank has its own lending criteria and offers loans by using its own funds. For example, if you use a bank for your loan you may already have a pre-existing relationship with them and they sometimes offer very competitive interest rates. In contrast, a mortgage broker is a middleman.

Finance

Redfin

AUGUST 29, 2024

These loans are typically issued for more expensive homes and come with stricter qualification requirements. Get pre-approved As you’re researching how to buy a house, you will want to get a mortgage pre-approval. Getting pre-approved initiates the mortgage process with a lender and tells you how much you can borrow.

Earnest money deposit

The Close

DECEMBER 29, 2022

Earnest money deposit. Also known as a “good faith deposit,” it’s the amount of money a buyer puts in escrow to show their commitment to purchase a property. Jumbo loans generally require stricter qualifications, higher credit scores, and higher income and/or cash reserves. Pre-approval.

Purchase and sale agreement