{"id":34201,"date":"2023-01-29T23:24:00","date_gmt":"2023-01-29T23:24:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/businessyield.com\/?p=34201"},"modified":"2023-01-30T10:25:29","modified_gmt":"2023-01-30T10:25:29","slug":"earnest-money","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/businessyield.com\/real-estate-investment\/earnest-money\/","title":{"rendered":"EARNEST MONEY: Explanations & How It Operates","gt_translate_keys":[{"key":"rendered","format":"text"}]},"content":{"rendered":"

Most times we find it difficult to buy a house. Problems can arise in the process which can delay your plans. And if you are ready to buy or make an offer on a particular house all you need is to make an earnest money deposit to show your seriousness on the deal. Earnest money is what you pay into an escrow account to show the seller you are serious about buying the property. If you change your mind and wonder how you can pull out of the deal you started. this article will give you more understanding of how to get your earnest money refund in real estate.<\/p>

What Is the Earnest Money?<\/span><\/h2>

Earnest money is a deposit a customer makes into an escrow account to show they are serious about buying the property<\/a>. Without earnest money, any buyer could say they are interested in buying a home but may not be serious about it.<\/p>

Earnest money is also known as good faith<\/a> which can be put down to exhibit the seriousness of the buyer in purchasing real estate. Furthermore, earnest money protects the seller if the buyer backs out. It’s around 2% to  6% of the sale price which is held in an escrow account until the deal is complete. The exact amount depends on what\u2019s normal in your area.<\/p>

Some homeowners may believe a larger deposit can convey a stronger promise to follow through on the sale.  If all goes smoothly, the good faith money is applied to the buyer\u2019s down payment or closing costs.<\/p>

If the deal falls through due to a failed home review or any other contingencies listed in the contract, the buyer gets their good faith money back. The practice of depositing good faith money can reduce the possibility of a buyer rating offers for multiple homes. However, it also reduces walking away after the seller takes the property off the market. <\/p>

How Earnest Money Works<\/span><\/h2>

Earnest money, as approved by the seller and the buyer in the purchase agreement. Once the money is paid, within three days of the agreement, one of these outlines can occur, which changes where that good faith money belongs. <\/p>

#1. If the Sale Goes Through<\/h3>

When the house passes all its examinations and assessments, and the sale closes, the money paid as earnest money can go back to the new homeowner. <\/p>

#2. Meeting Contingency Requirements<\/h3>

If difficulties arise with the house or did not meet the contingency requirement during the determination period, or the  Inspector finds any damages, the house relatively will be lower than the buying price. However, the buyer can choose to walk away and take back the good faith money as long as it was stipulated in the purchasing agreement.<\/p>

#3. The Buyer Walks Away<\/h3>

If in any way the buyer decides to change his mind and go for a different house or walks away from a purchasing agreement for any reason beyond what is on the contract, the buyer will have to forfeit their earnest money. Therefore, the earnest money will go to the seller who can use it to cover any losses incurred by taking their house off the market.<\/p>

Earnest Money Deposit<\/span><\/h2>

An earnest money deposit is the amount of money you put into an escrow account. While it\u2019s in escrow, neither you nor the buyer can access the money. Instead, it will be held by a third party, normally the title company.<\/p>

Your earnest money holds the index for you while you conclude your reviews. the seller can refund the earnest money deposit back to you under specific circumstances, which are included in your contract with the seller. In real estate, the earnest money is effectively a deposit to buy a home. Normally, it runs between 10% to 20% of the home\u2019s sale price. However, earnest money doesn\u2019t request a buyer to purchase a home. It needs the seller to take the property off of the market during the assessment process. The money is deposited to signify good faith in buying a house.<\/p>

What to Do to Protect Your Earnest Money Deposit?<\/span><\/h2>

Future buyers can do different things to secure their earnest money deposits. Below are the things you should consider to protect your earnest money:<\/p>