What is the average deposit when buying a house?
Friday, 28 February 2020
by Gary Kent
Question: “Does a $15,000 deposit on a $1,000,000 home seem low to you?” Answer: No. An average deposit is about 1 to 1.5% of the purchase price. So that deposit sounds right.
- Published in Q&A - Home Buying Questions
No Comments
What is the best deposit amount?
Friday, 23 August 2019
by Gary Kent
Question: “How much should my deposit be?” Answer: Great question! In my experience, I’ve found that 1% of the purchase price is the minimum acceptable deposit. But if you really want to impress the seller to help your offer get accepted, you might want to do 2-3% of the price.
- Published in Q&A - Home Buying Questions
How Much Should Your Deposit Be?
Tuesday, 28 October 2014
by Gary Kent
Question: “We’re going to make an offer on a home for $875,000. How much do you think our deposit be? Is $2500 too low?” Answer: Yes! The seller won’t take your offer seriously with a low deposit like that. Deposits are typically 1 to 2% of the price. When I represent a homeseller, I insist
- Published in Q&A - Home Buying Questions, Real Estate Tips
How Much to Deposit When Making a San Diego Home Offer
Tuesday, 05 August 2014
by Gary Kent
Question: “How much is a normal deposit when you make an offer on a house?” Answer: A typical deposit is 1-2% of the purchase price. But just because it’s typical doesn’t necessarily mean it’s the approach you should take. Offering a bigger deposit, say over 2%, is a way of making your offer appear stronger
- Published in Q&A - Home Buying Questions, Real Estate Tips
How Big a Deposit Must You Make?
Monday, 18 February 2013
by Gary Kent
Question: “How much deposit am I required to make to have a binding contract?” Answer: This may surprise you and many readers, but you’re not legally required to make a deposit at all. While contracts require what is called “consideration” to be valid, that doesn’t mean you need to have a deposit. Per the good
- Published in Q&A - Home Buying Questions
How Much Your Home Deposit Should Be
Monday, 15 October 2012
by Gary Kent
Question: “How much should my deposit be? And if they accept my offer but the home doesn’t pass the inspection, do I get my deposit back?” Answer: A decent deposit is 1% of the offered price. If you want to show the seller you’re serious (that’s why it’s called an “earnest” money deposit) you might
- Published in Q&A - Home Buying Questions
Understanding Buyer Cancellation Penalties
Friday, 14 October 2011
by Gary Kent
“On what date can the buyer no longer back out without penalty?” Answer: It depends on the contract. It’s often the 17th day after acceptance, but your case could be different. Let me address a related issue… Many agents tell their clients, “if the buyer cancels, you get the deposit.” This is not necessarily correct.
- Published in FAQs, Home Buying, Home Selling