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. The title company typically conducts this search shortly after the contract is signed.

Purchase and sale agreement

Redfin

JUNE 27, 2025

Key Takeaways: Shopping mortgage rates, reviewing your credit report, and looking into first-time home buyer programs can improve your financial situation and increase your choices. Even a small difference in your mortgage rate can really add up over the life of the loan, so it’s worth your time to shop around.

Pre-approval

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. Where does earnest money go?

Earnest money deposit

Redfin

JULY 9, 2025

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’s best to shop around to find the best rate and determine the best type of mortgage loan for you.

Pre-approval

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 28, 2025

Similar to your earnest money deposit, these funds are placed into an escrow account, where they’re safely held until the bills need to be paid. These prepaid costs make sure important bills like property taxes and insurance are covered right from the start — even before your first mortgage payment is due.

Earnest money deposit

Redfin

JULY 30, 2025

In this article: Understanding if you’re ready to buy a home Budgeting for your first home Finding the right mortgage Navigating the homebuying process What comes next? You haven’t held a mortgage in three years. Job security: Stable employment and income are key indicators for lenders when qualifying for a mortgage.

Pre-approval

Redfin

AUGUST 5, 2025

Buyers can benefit from the leg up in a competitive housing market, avoid mortgage fees and interest rates and save money in the long run. Taking out a mortgage is, of course, an option as well. Avoid paying interest: By paying all cash and not taking out a mortgage, you can avoid paying interest.

Earnest money deposit

Housing Wire

JANUARY 14, 2025

is frequently used by title companies , law firms and real estate brokerages to transfer funds between parties in a real estate transaction. The financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. Paymints.io This is the future of secure real estate transactions.”

Earnest money deposit

Housing Wire

DECEMBER 10, 2020

Digital title company JetClosing is opening its fifth office in Austin. Users have access to digital earnest money deposits, online and mobile notarizations, instant remote access to closing documents, and real-time status updates on all open orders from anywhere and at any time.

Earnest money deposit

Housing Wire

SEPTEMBER 25, 2020

Fidelity National Financial , a provider of title insurance and settlement services to the real estate and mortgage industries, is working to prevent wire fraud in today’s growing digital environment. And FNF is now expanding its startSafe offerings by allowing consumers to deposit their earnest money through the portal.

Earnest money deposit

Housing Wire

SEPTEMBER 14, 2023

Now, with buyers afraid of mortgage rates and sellers afraid to list, it makes sense that collaboration has become the name of the game — a way to show strength and inspire confidence in the face of sky-high expectations and unsettling circumstances. Consumer expectations have changed dramatically in the last few years.

Earnest money deposit

HomeLight

JUNE 23, 2022

The danger to a seller in this scenario is having to pay an extra mortgage payment and additional marketing fees if, after weeks of being wrapped up in an exclusive agreement with a buyer, the buyer falls through. Earnest money is meant to compensate the seller for the time wasted in the event of a failed contract.

Earnest money deposit

Realtor.com

OCTOBER 29, 2020

Appraisal contingency: With this contingency, a third party hired by your mortgage lender evaluates the fair market value of the home. Financing contingency: This contingency gives you the right to back out of the deal if your mortgage approval falls through. Clear the title. Get final mortgage approval.

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

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. This will generally come into action once mortgage payments start for a homebuyer.

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. Get preapproved for a mortgage.

Earnest money deposit

HomeLight

AUGUST 31, 2021

Whoever is facilitating the closing — whether it be a title company, escrow firm, or real estate attorney — will be responsible for preparing the settlement statement. However, the settlement form developed by the trade group ALTA (American Land Title Association) is widely used across the nation for real estate transactions.

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

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. down, by way of a low interest (3.0%) second mortgage for up to 25% of the home’s purchase price.

Earnest money deposit

HomeLight

MARCH 2, 2023

It’s important, especially for first-time buyers, to have someone in both the real estate side and in the mortgage side of things who will represent you and help you navigate.” There are affordable housing programs, silent second mortgages that help cover the down payment, as well as others,” he says.

Closing

HomeLight

SEPTEMBER 1, 2022

Consider the following down payment assistance programs in Florida: Florida Assist (FL Assist) : The Florida Assist program will loan up to $10,000 in closing costs on approved FHA, VA, USDA, and conventional mortgage loans. The second mortgage is forgiven at 20% per year, over a 5-year term. Get preapproved for a mortgage.

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. After you’ve closed on your home, your mortgage servicer typically continues to manage this escrow account.

Purchase and sale agreement

HomeLight

MARCH 6, 2023

The amount of financial assistance available depends on the type of mortgage loan you use. 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.

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). For example, if you can’t get a mortgage for the home, it’s unlikely you’ll be able to fulfill your end of the contract; without a mortgage, you can’t pay for the house.

Earnest money deposit

Realty Biz

SEPTEMBER 11, 2023

The buyer may not secure a mortgage loan with the terms initially agreed upon, or the lender may withdraw their offer due to changes in the buyer's financial situation. It is also possible for a mortgage preapproval to expire. They could lose their earnest money deposit by not performing or asking for an extension.

Earnest money deposit

HomeLight

MARCH 7, 2024

Sale price and terms: The agreed-upon price for the property and the terms of the payment, including the earnest money deposit amount and financing details. Moy adds, “We’ve seen a lot of people even back out before they drop off the earnest money.”

Purchase and sale agreement

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

HomeLight

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020

The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) is part of HUD’s Office of Housing, and it guarantees certain mortgage loans for lenders by providing mortgage insurance on loans for borrowers who may not qualify for a conventional mortgage ; the lenders in turn provide those mortgages to homebuyers. Pretty big perks!

Earnest money deposit

HomeLight

JULY 31, 2022

You can check to see how much you could qualify for in just a few minutes with a mortgage loan calculator, but it will take some time to gather all of your information and submit it to a lender when you’re getting a preapproval or underwritten preapproval. Title contingency. Hire a real estate attorney. Purchase price.

Earnest money deposit

HomeLight

MAY 24, 2022

Mortgage interest is tax-deductible , and many homeowners appreciate the deduction. If you only pay cash for the down payment, and take out a mortgage for the remainder of the purchase price, it keeps more money in your pocket. Paying cash saves you money, and you might need a place to live sooner rather than later.

Purchase and sale agreement

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. Escrow & Lenders.

Earnest money deposit

RIS Media

MAY 19, 2021

Financing or Mortgage Contingencies. The majority of homebuyers use a mortgage to finance their purchases. Buyers need to keep track of their mortgage contingency to make sure it doesn’t lapse. Doing so could mean the forfeiture of their earnest money deposit. Title Contingencies.

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. Even if the buyer has pre-approval for a mortgage, things can still go wrong when they apply for the loan. Issues like these could lead to a buyer not getting the mortgage they expect.

Backup offer

HomeLight

NOVEMBER 29, 2021

What types of mortgage loans are there? The most common type of nonconforming loan is a jumbo mortgage , which exceeds the limit for conforming loans. Some jumbo down payments can start at 5%, depending on the mortgage company you work with. A Federal Housing Administration (FHA) loan is a government-backed mortgage loan.

Earnest money deposit

HomeLight

OCTOBER 30, 2020

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. Real estate contract contingencies are commonly associated with getting a mortgage, as lenders tend to do their due diligence on a property before they’ll put up the money for it.

Closing