Redfin

AUGUST 5, 2025

Here are the most common contingency clauses that a buyer may include in an offer to allow them to break their contract and walk away from the deal without losing their earnest money: Inspection contingency: This protects a buyer against purchasing a home that is revealed to be in poor condition or requires major repairs.

Earnest money deposit

Redfin

JULY 10, 2025

How to pay earnest money and due diligence fees Earnest money is usually paid soon after your offer is accepted and held in escrow by a neutral third party, like a title company or escrow agent. 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

MARCH 18, 2025

The earnest money is typically held in an escrow account – a neutral third party, such as a title company or real estate brokerage, holds onto the funds until the sale is finalized. If your down payment is already covered, the earnest money can help pay for lender fees, title fees, and other closing expenses.

Closing

Redfin

JULY 9, 2025

During this time, your lender will finalize your mortgage, the home will be appraised and inspected, and a title search will be conducted. Order your title Estimated time: 1 week Within a week after you reach mutual acceptance on an offer, you’ll receive a preliminary title report from an escrow agent or attorney.

Pre-approval

Redfin

JUNE 17, 2025

The steps of the due diligence period can include any of the following: Home inspection Pest inspection Appraisal Negotiation of closing costs Title search and title insurance Renegotiations (if applicable due to home inspection) During this period before settlement, the buyer and seller are able to continue negotiations.

Closing

Rochester Real Estate

NOVEMBER 5, 2015

If you made an offer and then found there were significant structural problems, you would be in trouble without a home inspection contingency. It may be possible to waive a financial contingency if you’re confident your loan will be approved, though others could be riskier.

Earnest money deposit

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.

Pre-approval

Redfin

JUNE 17, 2025

Here are a few of the different types of contingencies you make come across: Home inspection contingency: Allows the buyer to back out of a purchase contract if the home inspection reveals major issues with the property. Title contingency: Ensures the home has a clean title free of liens or encumbrances.

Inspection contingency

Redfin

MARCH 4, 2025

Lenders will typically clear the title and vacate the property before selling it to you. If youre buying through a traditional foreclosure sale, an inspection contingency may give you the option to back out if major issues arise. As soon as the transaction is complete, you will receive the keys and title to the house.

Pre-approval

Redfin

JULY 11, 2025

These protections usually come in the form of contingencies , which are clauses that allow you to walk away from the sale without penalty if certain conditions aren’t met. Without this contingency, the buyer could be on the hook for the difference, or risk losing their earnest money if they walk away. Where does earnest money go?

Earnest money deposit

Redfin

JULY 21, 2025

Common contingencies include: Financing contingency: Protects buyers if they can’t secure a mortgage loan. This contingency ensures the buyer isn’t penalized if a lender denies their loan application. Home inspection contingency : Allows termination if major issues are found during the inspection.

Earnest money deposit

HomeLight

FEBRUARY 20, 2025

As of December 2024, 18% of buyers waived the appraisal contingency , with other buyers waiving, for example, inspection contingencies to likewise make their offers more enticing to sellers. The appraisal contingency is there to protect the buyer in case of any issues surrounding your appraisal.

Inspection contingency

The Close

MARCH 11, 2025

Home inspection checklist (Source: Zillow) During the purchase process, there can be something called an inspection contingency period. The property’s title is formally transferred from the seller to the buyer, and the buyer will receive keys and access to the property.

Sales

Rochester Real Estate

NOVEMBER 5, 2015

In most cases, inspections are at the expense of the buyer. They have a specified number of days to complete the inspections and also a specified number of days to either remove the inspection contingencies or request the seller address findings from the inspections.

Purchase and sale agreement

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. Get a home inspection With bidding wars being the norm, many buyers are going to great lengths to secure their next home. Even if you waive the inspection contingency, you should still do a home inspection.

Earnest money deposit

Housing Wire

FEBRUARY 20, 2024

The bill essentially negates as a negotiating tool the waiving of the home inspection contingency , which makes an offer for a home contingent on the results of an inspection. Brian Ashe, who co-sponsored the House version of the legislation. and Canada. Department of Education.

Inspection

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

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

HomeLight

NOVEMBER 8, 2024

This can mean that the buyer’s financing is approved, the inspection contingency is met, or any appraisal concerns are resolved. More on contingencies in a minute.) Property title issues: Problems with the property’s title , such as unresolved liens or ownership disputes, can halt the sale.

Inspection contingency

HomeLight

JANUARY 13, 2022

Inspection contingencies. Inspection contingencies mean that a buyer can get a home inspected before the deal goes through, and can back out of the purchase with earnest money intact, depending on what the inspector finds. Inspection contingencies can be waived. Appraisal contingencies.

Backup offer

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

Windemere Buying

APRIL 12, 2023

Buyers will often include a home inspection contingency in their offer to allow for renegotiation or canceling the contract entirely. After the home inspection, the listing agent will also be the main point of contact for any repair requests. Image Source: Getty Images – Image Credit: Jupiter Images 6.

Pre-approval

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. Title Contingencies.

Purchase and sale agreement

HomeLight

OCTOBER 13, 2021

You need to prove your identity because you will be signing several documents (namely the title and loan documents), which will need to be notarized. In Indiana, if it’s under $10,000, the buyer can bring a certified check made out to the title company. Title documents. If you purchased title insurance, it would be in here, too.

Closing

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

Realty Biz

OCTOBER 12, 2021

Another big danger associated with maintenance costs is that it has become increasingly more common for buyers to waive the home inspection contingency to try and get their offer accepted. According to the NAR, 23% of buyers waived inspections in August. Doing so can lead to expensive, unexpected repairs later.

Inspection contingency

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. If you want to exclude certain contingencies to make your offer more competitive, you can waive them, but it is not always a good idea. Appraisal contingency.

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

Redfin

JANUARY 25, 2021

Though you can technically add any contingency you want to an offer, here are the 9 most common homebuying contingencies to consider. 1) Home inspection contingency. As the buyer you should always order a home inspection. 2) Appraisal contingency. 5) Clear title contingency .

Home sale contingency

HomeLight

JULY 6, 2023

So what are the contract stipulations that put a listing into that “Contingent” stage, and how common is it for a property to hang in closing limbo? Here are 5 common contingencies in real estate contracts: Inspection contingency A buyer and their lender understandably want a home inspection to make sure they’re not investing in a lemon.

MLS

Point2Homes

DECEMBER 7, 2020

Notably, your offer should also include a home inspection contingency to ensure that you aren’t buying a property with serious defects. This will mean that your purchase won’t go to closing until a home inspection has been satisfactorily completed. In this case, having an attorney run a title search will be critical.

Debt-to-income ratio

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. Order a title search. Years of Experience. Transactions.

Earnest money deposit

Realty Biz

NOVEMBER 11, 2020

The home could be subject to a few different types of contingency. Let’s have a look at the most common types of contingency you are likely to see. Home Inspection Contingency. The purchase of the property can be contingent on the home inspector’s report.

Backup offer

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. Order a title search. Illegal deeds. Missing heirs.

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

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. Negotiate repairs Remember that everything is negotiable.

Closing

HomeLight

OCTOBER 29, 2021

House inspections, possible renegotiations with the seller, an appraisal, a title review, and approval of your mortgage applications are just some of the events that go on during the closing process. Step 1: Find a title company or lawyer to open an escrow account for you. Step 2: Title review starts. Closing Disclosure.

Closing