Earnest Money

When you are looking for a property to purchase, expect to come up with earnest money before placing an offer on the one you like. It is a customary procedure to sign a contract for real estate along with your offer and give a deposit of earnest money to show good faith that you are going to comply with your agreement to buy the property if the offer is accepted.

How Much Earnest Money do I Need?

Depending on your local or state laws and the market at the time, your earnest money can vary widely. You may be asked to give a specific amount or it may be left up to you to decide. The earnest money will be used in the closing costs at the time of the closing and if you back out of the agreement without a good valid reason, it will be lost.