When you are ready to start your search to buy a home in the Bay Area, the first step is to be pre-approved by a reputable mortgage lender. Once that is done, you will know the amount of the loan you can obtain and how much of a cash down payment you will have to provide to buy a home. When you find the perfect home, you will prepare the offer with your Realtor. One of the first items to decide on after you’ve decided on the purchase price is how much of an earnest money (1 comments)