Earnest Money Guides

How Much Earnest Money Should You Put Down on a House?

How much earnest money to put down on a house: the common 1% to 3% range, what pushes it higher or lower, and dollar amounts on a $500,000 home.

Is Earnest Money Refundable? When You Get It Back and When You Don't

Is earnest money refundable? Usually yes, if you cancel under a contingency and before your deadlines. Here is when buyers get the deposit back and how they lose it.

Earnest Money vs Down Payment: How the Deposit Counts at Closing

Earnest money vs down payment: the deposit is paid early and credited at closing, so it counts toward your down payment and closing costs. See it on a $500,000 home.

Who Holds Earnest Money While You Wait to Close?

Who holds earnest money? Usually a title or escrow company, a broker's trust account, or an attorney, not the seller. Here is what each one does with your deposit.

How to Pay Earnest Money Safely, Without Falling for Wire Fraud

How to pay earnest money: wire, cashier's check or personal check, when it's due, what receipt to keep, and how to stop wire fraud before your deposit is gone.

Earnest Money Disputes: What Happens When Buyer and Seller Both Claim It

In an earnest money dispute the deposit usually stays in escrow until both sides sign a release or a court decides. Here is how releases, mediation and court work.

Earnest Money in a Competitive Offer: Does a Bigger Deposit Help You Win?

A bigger earnest money deposit can make a competitive offer stand out without raising your price. Here is how much to offer, what it signals, and what you risk losing.