Special offer
Hella M. Rothwell, Broker/Realtor®, Rothwell Realty Inc. CA#01968433 Carmel-by-the-Sea

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Rainmaker
3,988,007
Debbie Reynolds, C21 Platinum Properties
Platinum Properties- (931)771-9070 - Clarksville, TN
The Dedicated Clarksville TN Realtor-(931)320-6730

$500 to $1000 and some have almost nothing. It is not a percentage of the purchase price.

Oct 10, 2016 02:35 PM
Rainmaker
679,404
Diana Dahlberg
1 Month Realty - Pleasant Prairie, WI
Real Estate in Kenosha, WI since 1994 262-308-3563

If a house is under $100,000 the EM is about $500.  $100,000-$200,000 the EM is $1,000.  If over $250,000 and up the EM is typically $2,000 - $2,500. 

Oct 10, 2016 01:31 PM
Rainer
509,449
Susie Kay
Ultra Real Estate Dallas Fort Worth - Plano, TX
North Dallas Specialist

It varies in my market with the minimum that I've seen is $1,000. 

Oct 10, 2016 11:12 AM
Ambassador
2,684,109
Fred Griffin Florida Real Estate
Fred Griffin Real Estate - Tallahassee, FL
Licensed Florida Real Estate Broker

    We see a lot of $1000 on anything under $200K.  Over that, Buyers should make it $5000 or a percentage - otherwise, the Seller may counter for more deposit money.

Oct 10, 2016 10:46 AM
Rainer
56,684
LeAnn Sink - Realtor Knoxville, TN
United Real Estate Solutions - Knoxville, TN
#ThinkSink when you need an agent.

My market sees about 1% or less. Depends on the situation really.  Sometimes more EMD sweetens the deal for sure, but I've never advised less than $1,000.

Oct 10, 2016 09:35 AM
Rainmaker
4,572,183
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

It depends on the individual market but in my primary area, it's 3%.  I remember a transaction where the listing brokers were also the sellers of their home and the listing clearly stated --- all offers must have a $2000 earnest money deposit. It was many years ago and the house was in the 400K range --- there was no argument from my clients who I had prepared for a much larger amount.   

Oct 10, 2016 06:51 AM
Ambassador
5,049,450
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

Usually 1 - 2% but increasingly 3% especially when there multiple bids

Oct 10, 2016 06:34 AM
Rainmaker
911,338
Jeff Pearl
RE/MAX Distinctive / LIC in VA - Lovettsville, VA
Full Service Full Time Realtor

1 to 5%. It varies depending on buyer and price of property.

Oct 10, 2016 06:28 AM
Rainmaker
763,883
Tony Lewis
Summit Real Estate Group - Valencia, CA
Summit Real Estate Group Valencia & Aliso Viejo

I write the good faith deposit as low as possible.  That is the most a buyer can lose if they default after removing all contingencies.  That is if the Liquidated Damages clause is initialed by all parties.  That is if I represent the buyer.  When representing the seller usually a minimum of 1% but up to 3%.  I don't like to scare off buyers.

Oct 11, 2016 09:32 AM
Rainmaker
5,583,278
Barbara Todaro
RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired - Franklin, MA
Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

5% of the sale price for resales...

10% is what I would require for my builders.....my builders loved me!!!!

Oct 11, 2016 05:26 AM
Rainmaker
785,475
Abby Stiller
TOP SELLING REALTY - Cape Coral, FL
SW Florida (239) 284-8637

Agree with Fred Griffin 

Oct 11, 2016 03:13 AM
Rainmaker
989,652
Jennifer Mackay
Counts Real Estate Group, Inc. - Panama City, FL
Your Bay County Florida Realtor 850.774.6582

No std but I usually suggest 1% or $1k which ever is closest

Oct 11, 2016 12:14 AM
Rainmaker
290,969
Allie Angeloni
Long Realty - Oro Valley, AZ

I've seen it as a dollar amount and not a percentage amount Hella M. Rothwell, Broker/Realtor® - depending on the sale price, I see either $2K or $5K as the EMD. 

Oct 10, 2016 03:53 PM
Rainer
352,976
Teri Pacitto
Compass - Westlake Village, CA
Real Estate, Your Style...Your Home...My Specialty

Typically 3% however the contract is between Buyer and Seller.  In our market it's typically the 3%.

Oct 10, 2016 12:54 PM
Rainmaker
3,986,258
William Feela
WHISPERING PINES REALTY - North Branch, MN
Realtor, Whispering Pines Realty 651-674-5999 No.

Beginner homes $500 to $1000

Secondary homes $1500-$3000 or more

Oct 10, 2016 12:20 PM
Rainmaker
1,543,823
Thomas J. Nelson, REALTOR ® e-Pro CRS RCS-D Vets
Big Block Realty 858.232.8722 - La Jolla, CA
CEO of Vision Drive Realty - Coastal San Diego

3% is standard or $10,000 is too.

Depends on the buyer & the price point.

I try not to exceed small claims court limits, or at least the liquidated damages max.

Oct 10, 2016 12:14 PM
Rainmaker
2,781,173
Richie Alan Naggar
people first...then business Ran Right Realty - Riverside, CA
agent & author

2500-5000 should make the point. There are many other important criteria

Oct 10, 2016 11:07 AM
Rainmaker
3,626,530
James Dray
Fathom Realty - Bentonville, AR

If we get one at all usually 500-1,000,00

Oct 10, 2016 08:10 AM
Rainer
392,768
Anna Hatridge
R Gilliam Real Estate LLC - Farmington, MO
Missouri Realtor with R Gilliam Real Estate LLC

In our area it is a flat dollar amount of about $1000

Oct 10, 2016 06:42 AM
Rainer
321,564
Melissa Jackson REALTOR
Trinity Premier Properties - Azle, TX
Helping You Make The Right Move

1% is normal in our market.

Nov 09, 2016 11:30 AM
Rainmaker
19,816
Steve McRory
Pro Option Mtg. 888-662-4404 - Tampa, FL
Mortgage Loan Originator

.

 

 

Oct 15, 2016 12:41 AM
Rainmaker
969,888
Frank Rubi
Frank Rubi Real Estate, LLC - Metairie, LA
FrankRubiRealEstate.com

Cash amount I do not use a percentage. 

Oct 13, 2016 09:49 PM
Rainmaker
851,242
Brenda Mayette
Miranda Real Estate Group, Inc. - Glenville, NY
Getting results w/ knowledge & know-how!

Typically 1% in our market.  Always fun to explain that to the family member from an area that gets a lot more....!

Oct 11, 2016 09:52 PM
Rainmaker
98,484
Eileen Begley
Coldwell Banker, DelMonte - Carmel, CA
Monterey Real Estate

In my area it's 1% initially and then if there are multiple offers it's often raised to 3% total after contingencies are removed.

Oct 11, 2016 02:21 PM
Rainmaker
2,707,721
Lisa Von Domek
Lisa Von Domek Team - Dallas, TX
....Experience Isn't Expensive.... It's Priceless!

Typically 1% is expected in my market, but when multiple offers are involved that can increase quite a bit.

Oct 11, 2016 12:17 PM
Rainmaker
4,936,705
Will Hamm
Hamm Homes - Aurora, CO
"Where There's a Will, There's a Way!"

1% of sale price in most cases

 

Oct 11, 2016 10:37 AM
Rainmaker
864,658
Les & Sarah Oswald
Realty One Group - Eastvale, CA
Broker, Realtor and Investor

Typically it is 1% or 2%, however, our market is so competitive that we are seeing EMD much higher than that.

Oct 11, 2016 05:55 AM
Rainmaker
4,800,082
Gabe Sanders
Real Estate of Florida specializing in Martin County Residential Homes, Condos and Land Sales - Stuart, FL
Stuart Florida Real Estate

We typically have a low initial deposit of around $1,000 and then a second deposit where I like to see about 5 to 10% of the sales price.

Oct 11, 2016 04:53 AM
Rainmaker
900,128
Olga Simoncelli
Veritas Prime, LLC dba Veritas Prime Real Estate - New Fairfield, CT
CONSULTANT, Real Estate Services & Risk Management

1% of proposed purchase price at offer, then goes up to 5-10% at time of deposit.

Oct 11, 2016 04:49 AM
Rainmaker
1,153,794
Kevin J. May
Florida Supreme Realty - Hobe Sound, FL
Serving the Treasure & Paradise Coasts of Florida

No standard I'm aware of but personally the range has been from $1.00 up to the maximum I can get them to part with. No fancy terms or secondary deposit is the preferred method.

Oct 11, 2016 03:53 AM
Rainmaker
1,502,998
Ryan Huggins - Thousand Oaks, CA
https://HugginsHomes.com - Thousand Oaks, CA
Residential Real Estate and Investment Properties

3% has been common here for the last 20+ years.  For certain types of loans, it can be less.

Oct 11, 2016 03:41 AM
Rainmaker
758,035
Peter Testa
Nationwide Homes - Danbury, CT
PETER TESTA

1% of the offer price in CT

Oct 11, 2016 01:03 AM
Rainer
232,019
Jessie Cochran
Counts Real Estate Group, Inc. - Panama City, FL
Panama City Realty Group

We don't have a std - but try to go for at least 1%

Oct 11, 2016 12:31 AM
Rainmaker
4,434,127
Gita Bantwal
RE/MAX Centre Realtors - Warwick, PA
REALTOR,ABR,CRS,SRES,GRI - Bucks County & Philadel

Most of the time it has been $1000.

Oct 11, 2016 12:15 AM
Rainmaker
3,071,489
Tony and Suzanne Marriott, Associate Brokers
Serving the Greater Phoenix and Scottsdale Metropolitan Area - Scottsdale, AZ
Haven Express @ Keller Williams Arizona Realty

2%

Oct 10, 2016 11:44 PM
Rainmaker
1,617,916
Harry F. D'Elia III
WEDO Real Estate and Beyond, LLC - Phoenix, AZ
Investor , Mentor, GRI, Radio, CIPS, REOs, ABR

1% is the standard in Arizona

Oct 10, 2016 10:40 PM
Rainmaker
5,216,409
Wayne Martin
Wayne M Martin - Chicago, IL
Real Estate Broker - Retired

The amount of deposit varies, but no as much now as in previous years!

Oct 10, 2016 10:35 PM
Rainmaker
4,882,355
Richard Weeks
Dallas, TX
REALTOR®, Broker

In my opinion there are many factors that go into determining that amount.

Oct 10, 2016 10:21 PM
Rainmaker
1,844,301
Lyn Sims
Schaumburg, IL
Real Estate Broker Retired

That would be high for my area. It depends on sales price. $1K for up to 100K, 3K for $200K. Our contract does not state a percentage.

Oct 10, 2016 10:20 PM
Rainmaker
2,182,552
Michael J. Perry
KW Elite - Lancaster, PA
Lancaster, PA Relo Specialist

The initial deposit amount has dropped thru the years because there are  so many  other contingencies in the Agreement .

Oct 10, 2016 10:01 PM
Rainmaker
4,457,314
Endre Barath, Jr.
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties - Beverly Hills, CA
Realtor - Los Angeles Home Sales 310.486.1002

Hella 3% no matter if it is $50k transaction or $50 million transaction, Endre

Oct 10, 2016 04:43 PM
Ambassador
6,393,609
Bob Crane
Woodland Management Service / Woodland Real Estate, KW Diversified - Stevens Point, WI
Forestland Experts! 715-204-9671

I just put down $500, easy to remember and generally does the job.

Oct 10, 2016 03:21 PM
Rainmaker
4,319,419
Praful Thakkar
LAER Realty Partners - Andover, MA
Andover, MA: Andover Luxury Homes For Sale

Hella M. Rothwell, Broker/Realtor® - it's $1,000 for most purchases, followed by up to 5% of agreed upon price.

Oct 10, 2016 02:46 PM
Rainmaker
2,224,473
Debbie Laity
Cedaredge Land Company - Cedaredge, CO
Your Real Estate Resource for Delta County, CO

There is no standard percentage or amount in my area. 

Oct 10, 2016 01:23 PM
Rainmaker
4,272,548
Paul S. Henderson, REALTOR®, CRS
Fathom Realty Washington LLC - Tacoma, WA
South Puget Sound Washington Agent/Broker!

1 to 3%

Oct 10, 2016 01:22 PM
Rainmaker
2,362,977
Lise Howe
Keller Williams Capital Properties - Washington, DC
Assoc. Broker in DC, MD, VA and attorney in DC

that sounds about right. 

Oct 10, 2016 12:34 PM
Rainmaker
1,231,853
Mary Yonkers
Alan Kells School of Real Estate/Howard Hanna Real Estate - Erie, PA
Erie/PA Real Estate Instructor

No specific standard in Erie, PA

Oct 10, 2016 12:25 PM
Rainmaker
823,579
Susan Laxson CRS
Palm Properties - La Quinta, CA
Realtor in San Diego, CA & Naples, FL

I agree, 3% earnest money deposit is standard depending on the terms and price of the home.

Oct 10, 2016 08:46 AM
Rainmaker
2,810,149
Dick Greenberg
New Paradigm Partners LLC - Fort Collins, CO
Northern Colorado Residential Real Estate

Hi Hella - In northern Colorado, it's typically 1% of the list price.

Oct 10, 2016 07:57 AM
Rainmaker
1,239,901
Sam Shueh
(408) 425-1601 - San Jose, CA
mba, cdpe, reopro, pe

3%

want to impress sellers I have seen 5-10%,

One promised 100% EMD 24 hour coe it was rejected due to low offer price.

Oct 10, 2016 07:43 AM
Rainmaker
1,466,207
Michael Setunsky
Woodbridge, VA
Your Commercial Real Estate Link to Northern VA

Hella M. Rothwell, Broker/Realtor® In commercial real estate it is as much as you can get.

Oct 10, 2016 07:21 AM
Rainmaker
1,725,996
Sandy Padula & Norm Padula, JD, GRI
HomeSmart Realty West & Florida Realty Investments - , CA
Presence, Persistence & Perseverance

That % is about right, unless a high-end custom home, or property

Oct 10, 2016 07:10 AM
Rainmaker
711,852
Lynnea Miller
Bend Premier Real Estate - Bend, OR
Premier Real Estate Service in Central Oregon

Usually about 1%, but new construction or new developments can be much higher.

Oct 10, 2016 07:01 AM
Rainmaker
1,157,785
FN LN
Toronto, ON

There is no standard.

Oct 10, 2016 07:00 AM
Rainmaker
921,504
Annette Lawrence , Palm Harbor, FL 727-420-4041
ReMax Realtec Group - Palm Harbor, FL
Making FLORIDA Real Estate EZ

EMD can vary from $500 to 3%.

However, the amount and the heat of the market can compel the buyer to deomsonstrate a greater commitment.

I have been allowed the benefit of listing agents countering with the sellers level of comfort regarding EMD, keeping my buyers in the game.

Oct 10, 2016 06:45 AM