Buying A Home
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Earnest Money Questions

Hi everyone! This is my first time posting here but I've been lurking since my wedding on the 30th.  We're buying a home from a family member and we're excited about the process but I have a couple of questions with respect to earnest money.

1.  How is the amount determined?  I personally feel like the amount being asked is pretty high. The family member is willing to work with us but I want to make sure we're not getting a fast one pulled over on us.

 2.  What happens to the earnest money throughout the process? What is it applied to?

Any help you can give will be great! Thanks!

Re: Earnest Money Questions

  • Even if you are buying from family, you should also have a lawyer involved to protect your interests.

    1K is enough for earnest money in some areas and much more in others.  This is a local issue that vaires.

    The earnest money is held in escrow until closing and then applied. Should you back out for non approved reasons - they keep the money.  If they back out of the deal for non approved reasons - you get the money ack.

    ETA:  Two good books to read

    Home Buying for Dummies and Mortgages for Dummies.  They will help you understand the process and answer many questions for the first time buyer.

  • What is it applied to?

    It's applied to the total you owe at closing. Let's say your total purchase price plus closing costs is $200,000. However, you put $10,000 down in earnest money. At closing, you'd owe $190,000.

  • Thanks for the books suggestion.  I'm pretty familiar with the mortgage process since my mom has purchased 2 homes before and I've assisted her with that.  There are just some areas that are uncertain to me and I really just want to make sure someone isn't getting over on me.  Yes we are getting a lawyer to protect our interests.
  • image5thOfJuly:

    What is it applied to?

    It's applied to the total you owe at closing. Let's say your total purchase price plus closing costs is $200,000. However, you put $10,000 down in earnest money. At closing, you'd owe $190,000.

     

    Thank you!

  • imagehalfpin21:

    1.  How is the amount determined?  I personally feel like the amount being asked is pretty high. The family member is willing to work with us but I want to make sure we're not getting a fast one pulled over on us.

    The seller determines the price.  Even though it is family, it is still a business transaction and they may not be willing to lose money for your benefit.  You can ask for an appraisal (which you will need for your lender anyhow).

    Crafts for Lily
    My Valentine Bookends (2~13~13, 2~15~09)
    image
  • Usually earnest money is a percentage of the price of the house. We are just about to close though and we put about 95% of our down payment down as earnest money to indicate to the sellers that we were serious buyers and would come through on closing (we were offering with 5 other buyers). Expect your earnest money to get cashed once you are in contract with the seller, eventually it will apply to your down payment.
    Buying A Home
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