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Tips for FSBO's: How Much $$$ Should You Ask For Deposit Amount?

By
Managing Real Estate Broker with Maxus Realty Group of Samson Properties Broker - Realtor - CEO
selling homes

26 Tips You Should Know To Get Your Home Sold Fast For The Highest Amount and Less Hassle!

Because your home is more likely your largest asset, deciding to sell your home is not a decision that you should take lightly.

 Everyone wants to sell their home for top dollar,  fast and for the least amount of money.

26 Tips you should know to get your home SOLD for TOP DOLLAR @ the fastest time!
 
Tip #15  How much deposit money should you ask from buyers? 

 

It is unreasonable for any buyer to ask a seller to take a house off the market without a reasonable deposit of good faith

Yes, there are contingencies in a contract and sometimes even this deposit becomes one.

You could have a contract where the "Good Faith deposit" will not be deposited into the closing agent's escrow account until all inspections have been cleared. 

In some cases, you may get an initial smaller deposit with the contract as they offer (the buyer) to pay an additional deposit when the inspection contingencies are completely cleared.


Just remember that  technically a good faith deposit is not of any consideration until the contract is violated or an agreement is reached to void the contract or finally the actual sale of the house occurs. .

You can't spend the deposit money. .even if you're the one holding on escrow. . until

What happens if your buyer backs out from the sale of the property by another reason NOT covered by any agreed 
contingency?


My advice is to be sure on this by speaking to an attorney. . .If the buyer believes otherwise. . this could potentially cost you time and money.

To protect yourself from any misunderstandings  sit down with the buyer and fully understand the conditions of the contract as you both agree to the terms

There are no gray areas here. .

Just to be sure. ..let me repeat it again. . talk to an attorney!


What happens if the good faith deposit money is not enough to cover the damages the buyer may have caused you?

Let me repeat it again. . talk to an attorney!

There are no limits here. . and I know that the deposit amount is never one.

So how much should you ask for a deposit?
1%?
3%? 
5%?
25%?

Watch this video where I discuss deposit amounts. . 

 

26 Tips you should know to get your home SOLD for TOP DOLLAR @ the fastest time!

#1 Determine your home's value with your head and not your heart!

#2 You don't need a make over. .just move it over!

#3 Why are you selling?. . .a trick real estate agents use

#4 How should respond to Low Ball Offers?

#5  The DANGERS of Overpricing Your Home and How To Fix It!

#6  Make Buyers Bite with this trick!

#7 Negotiating Tips To Get More Money for Your House

#8 Should I put a lockbox on my For Sale By Owner House? 

#9 How to protect yourself from BOGUS HOME INSPECTIONS

#10 HELP: Neighbor from HELL is keeping me from selling my house

#11 Approval letters for Donald Duck the buyer

#12 Neat trick to protect your property from scammers

#13 How to hire a FREE Attorney for your sale. .

#14 What to do if the appraisal comes in low -- HELP!!!

#15 How much earnest deposit money should you ask as a FSBO?

#16 What to FIX before selling your house? 

#17 What are contingencies? and why they should matter to you..

#18 "Is that your best and final offer?

#19 De-Cluttering Your Home is a Key Step if you want to sell 

#20  Don't miss this important step before selling your home 

#21  Showcase your house. . .not your jewelry!

#22 What to do if you need to sell ASAP?

#23 Save money and do it yourself!

#24 Tips on Selling: When Your Sign Tells You Are an Amateur and Easy Prey

#25 Should You Give Your Regular eMail & Phone Number when selling? 

#26 The appraisal may kill your deal. . How To Protect Yourself

My dedication to the pursuit of quality seller representation in MD, DC  or VA is my relentless determination to achieve perfection in my craft for the benefit of all my clients. I believe that my team of Real Estate Professionals  are uniquely qualified to give you the results you are looking for as a seller.No matter if you are selling today or maybe years down the road, please contact me for all your real estate needs. You are going to like the way we do business.

Broker for Herboso & Associates 
for MD, DC and VA
240-426-5754
 
 
Want to know how we market our homes and go the 
EXTRA MILE for our sellers?
                            selling services     

http://www.reallynicehomes.com/blog/selling-tips-still-market-overpriced-and-beaten-dont-wait-any-longer/

Evelyn Kennedy
Alain Pinel Realtors - Alameda, CA
Alameda, Real Estate, Alameda, CA

Fernando:

Good information for a person selling his own property.  You video is also very good since you clearly tell the FSBO what the deposit is.

Nov 20, 2012 06:10 AM
Cheryl Ritchie
RE/MAX Leading Edge www.GoldenResults.com - Huntingtown, MD
Southern Maryland 301-980-7566
This is a good idea for a series, Fernando. I will be curious how many good FSBO clients realize it is best to hire you after reading all this.
Nov 20, 2012 10:18 AM
Olga Simoncelli
Veritas Prime, LLC dba Veritas Prime Real Estate - New Fairfield, CT
CONSULTANT, Real Estate Services & Risk Management

FSBO's really don't know what they're getting into, there is so much to consider. Most get frustrated and wind up listing anyway.

Nov 20, 2012 10:43 AM
Sharon Alters
Coldwell Banker Vanguard Realty - 904-673-2308 - Fleming Island, FL
Realtor - Homes for Sale Fleming Island FL

Fernando, this is such an excellent series for Sellers who want to go FSBO. Interesting that some think of a deposit as extra money they get to keep.

Sharon

Nov 20, 2012 11:33 AM
Kwee Huset
Kwee Huset Realty - Venice, FL
Venice Florida Homes For Sale

Hi Fernando, congratulations your post deserved the FEATURED. Excellent advice for FSBO on the deposit amount.

Nov 20, 2012 12:32 PM
Digital Digital
Alachua, FL
full service

Hi Fernando,

Congrats on this feature!

I really love these educational series.

Private sellers in Gaithersburg call Fernando today for expert advice and representation.

 

Nov 20, 2012 12:54 PM
Christine Donovan
Donovan Blatt Realty - Costa Mesa, CA
Broker/Attorney 714-319-9751 DRE01267479 - Costa M

Fernando - This is a great series for potential FSBO sellers who are likely to have lots of questions.

Nov 20, 2012 01:48 PM
Gita Bantwal
RE/MAX Centre Realtors - Warwick, PA
REALTOR,ABR,CRS,SRES,GRI - Bucks County & Philadel

Congratulations on the featured post. I hope FSBOs will read it.

Nov 20, 2012 08:24 PM
Fernando Herboso - Associate Broker MD, & VA
Maxus Realty Group of Samson Properties - Clarksburg, MD
301-246-0001 Serving Maryland, DC and Northern VA

Thank you for stopping by.. 

Nov 20, 2012 10:17 PM