money needed by a buyer: WHAT IS EARNEST MONEY? Some buyers are confussed! - 09/20/10 07:41 AM
                  What IS Earnest Money?                                                  Some buyers are confused! Aren't they?

How many times have buyers asked, "My earnest money is the down payment, RIGHT?" WRONG!!  Earnest Money is a good faith deposit but not to be confused with a down payment. When buyers execute a purchase contract, the contract specifies how much money the buyer is initially putting up to secure the contract, to show "good faith", and NOT to be confused with how much money they will be having to come up with as a down payment. Two very different amounts serving TWO very different functions in … (12 comments)