Protect Your Deposit When Buying Real Estate
When you start the process of buying a home or any type of real estate, you’ll no doubt hear the term “earnest money deposit” (EMD). So what exactly is an EMD?
An EMD becomes relevant when you are ready to make an offer on a property. In most states, your Real Estate Agent prepares the offer on your behalf. The offer usually takes the form of a written contract that is submitted to the seller by way of their agent.
In addition to the offer document, sellers typically expect an EMD. An EMD is a monetary deposit submitted via check to demonstrate to the seller that you are a serious buyer. In some regions of the country, only a photocopy of the check is submitted with the offer, and the original check is delivered to the appropriate entity if the offer is accepted. Ask your Real Estate Agent to clarify how deposits are handled in your region of the country.
The check is usually made out to an independent third- party such as a Title Company, Escrow Company, Real Estate Attorney or your Real Estate Broker. Ask your Real Estate Agent to clarify who will hold the EMD.
The amount of the EMD sellers expect varies by region. The EMD amount is based on the customs and practices for a region, but is generally from 1% to 2% of the purchase price. In a competitive market place where demand exceeds the supply of homes, some buyers may offer a higher EMD than expected to impress the seller of their intent. In determining the amount of your EMD, consult your Real Estate Agent and balance the need to demonstrate your serious intent, against the good business practice of minimizing the deposit amount.
The amount of the EMD is usually applied to reduce the purchase price of the property or to cover closing costs, as you dictate. For example, if you are purchasing a $300,000 property and you give an EMD of $3000, then the remaining balance owned at closing is $297,000 (plus closing costs). Alternatively, you may direct that the EMD be applied toward the closing costs.
Once a valid contract for purchase is created, an independent third-party usually holds the EMD until the purchase is either completed or cancelled. At this point, the money belongs jointly to both the seller and the buyer.
In cases where you make an offer that is accepted but later decide to cancel the offer, the terms specified in the contract (or state law) will dictate if, and under what circumstances, the EMD is returned to you. Be aware that you could loose your deposit if you do not not comply with the terms of your contract. Your Real Estate Agent can provide you information about how EMDs are dealt with if a contract is cancelled.
Since state law varies by region and practices can differ even within the same state, be sure to consult your Real Estate agent about the rules that apply to EMDs in your region of the country. You should also be aware that the EMD is not related to any down payment that you make toward your home loan.
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Help answer the question about Real estate
Which real estate companies are best for new agents?
I'm planning on getting my real estate agents license in the next few weeks. I've heard that Century 21 and some other companies have their own courses. Is it better to attend their course or just a regular local real estate school. Also what companies are good for new agents.
Any advice you can give is appreciated! Thanks!
Oh and I'll be getting my license in Tenessee.
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San Diego Real Estate
Riverside Real Estate
Pacific Beach Real Estate
When he said it’ll come due a couple years from now, he really means this year.
Good information on whats really going on. I dont know why but I hate his voice I sometimes dont want to watch Fox Business just because of his voice. Am I alone here?
stay out of the mainstream area;
that is, listing houses for sale.
become an exclusive buyer's agent.
Rep middle income and upper income
black women as a niche.
Also poke into doing commercial
and industrial purchases.
and maybe business brokerage
plus, interview different agencies–
most are Realtor focused; which
means they take listings. YOU can
choose not to do that via being
an exclusive BUYER's agent.
[they don't sell RE--they help
buyers buy, and that is a different
approach].
plus u can find those offices that
have 100% approaches [where
the agent pays for desk space and
does not split the commission.]
available to help -though I am not
in TN.
You have a LEGAL AND BINDING CONTRACT. all disclosures within the contract should be what the seller knows about the property. Now the other agent cannot FORCE you to sign anything. Basically what the agent is trying to do is cover his clients ass- if the selling side has a problem with it you can always take it before arbitration (see how they like that). Either way the selling agent is not within his rights to present other docs. for disclosures, nor do you let them off the hook. You will have no recourse if you do. Hope this helps.
Very honest interview! *****
Check with your local Howard, Perry & Walston school, or go to http://www.hpwreschool.com for all the info you are looking for. Good luck, it's hard but well worth it in the end.
One doesn't eliminate the other one. My broker is a Lawyer and his experience/practice is in Real Estate. After 10 years of practicing law, he decided to be a Broker.
Go ahead!
Wow! what a great question from a 14 year old. a LLC (Limited Liability Company) is incorporated with the Attorney Generals office in the state it is established in. The best way to do that is to go to an Attorney. A holding company and a Development company may be combined into one, have different division or groups to do the different objectives, or even the same people.
You can never have too much money to start a company, it's the too little that matters. Your best bet is to save as much as possible, write up a business plan, go to friends and family for investment in the company before you start out and hope to have a minimum of $50,000 to $500,000 to start your company. Then you can go to a bank and borrow, usually 2 to 3 times that much more to make your first purchases.
Yes there are Capital gains even for companies to pay with investment properties.
When you are ready, have your board of directors vote to take your company public by registering with the Securities and Exchange commission, with the assistance of a Stock Brokerage Company.
Russ Whitney has a great coaching program you may want to take a look at.
Good Luck
Sheldon Moylan of Dominion Lending Centres
I am a real estate agent in Australia with my own independent office.
I am not sure what courses are like through franchises, however, here, the courses with regular real estate schools are very good.
When you are looking to find an agency to work for, consider the following:
- do they regularly pay for training for their employees? what kind of training and how frequently?
- does management get regular training and upgrade their knowledge on changes in legislation etc (here we have special annual education to attend to stay in the know)
- what internal systems and procedures do they have that will assist people who are just starting out? for example, a good computer software and training resources in the office for when you get stuck on something.
- is there someone more experienced in the office that can mentor you?
I believe that a franchise is not necessarily the best, often all the training that they attend is in house, and they are not open to external training providers (which can be very beneficial).
You need to look at the individual operator of the office to decide if it will be a good environment to start your career or not.
http://myitcareer.info/
WOW…A mind blowing in your face reality check yet to come and on FOX as well and yet the sheeple sleep.
Yup. It is right here nad even on a major media outlet. It ain’t going to be long from now.
If you are talking about selling real estate as an agent, then
You can take real estate classes in college or you can go to a real estate school (this is what most agents and brokers do) you will have to take a licensing test from the state.
If you are talking about investing, then there are REITs you can invest in through a stock broker,
If you are talking about investing by flipping (buying and fixing then selling)
you will need to learn about costs of materials, value of real estate in your area, subcontracting for plumbing etc and have time for equity labor.
below is link to kaplan schools, one of the better real estate schools
Obama leading us down a road of economic death