Earnest Money Calculator

Our earnest money calculator is designed to assist you in determining the required earnest money deposit you will require when purchasing a property.

What is Earnest Money?

Earnest money constitutes a deposit provided to a home seller to signify your genuine intent to purchase a property. This deposit is also referred to as a good faith deposit, as it showcases your commitment to the property transaction.

Typically negotiated within the purchase agreement, earnest money outlines the terms and conditions of the buyer-seller transaction. The buyer proposes these terms, including their offered price, and the seller can either accept, reject, or negotiate the terms of the contract.

The Difference Between Earnest Money and a Downpayment

It's important to differentiate between earnest money and a down payment. A down payment is an upfront payment made to the seller during the closing process. It represents the purchase price minus the mortgage amount, which is the sum you are borrowing. Down payments generally range from 3% to 20% of the purchase price.

Earnest money, on the other hand, is deposited into an escrow account and held until the closing occurs. Subsequently, it is applied towards your down payment. While the precise amount of earnest money is subject to negotiation between the buyer and seller, it typically ranges from 1% to 3% of the purchase price, though it could potentially reach as high as 10%.

How Much Earnest Money Do You Require to Purchase a Property?

The required earnest money deposit can be calculated through either a fixed amount or a percentage, contingent on the specific market conditions.

Percentage: In certain markets, it is customary for earnest money to be calculated based on a certain percentage of the purchase price. For instance, if the prevailing deposit percentage in your region is 2%, a property priced at $250,000 would entail an earnest money deposit of $5,000.

Fixed amount: Conversely, some markets establish a standard fixed amount as the earnest money deposit, irrespective of the purchase price. This predetermined amount is typically submitted after the purchase agreement has been accepted.

Our earnest money calculator simplifies this process, enabling you to accurately determine the requisite earnest money deposit based on the prevailing market norms.