Mortgage Rates in Ohio with Huntington Bank Mortgage
Huntington Bank mortgage offers a variety of banking products and services in Ohio including mortgage loans and competitive mortgage rates.
Huntington bank offers a wide range of mortgage loan programs and interest rates in Ohio for both purchases and existing home loan refinances. The mortgage loan refinance options include refinances to obtain additional cash out on a primary home or to take advantage of a lower mortgage rate or change the term or type of home loan such as 30 year loan to a 15 year or a fixed rate home loan to an adjustable rate mortgage.
Mortgage loans offered by the bank include a wide choice of fixed rate mortgage products ranging from 10 year to 30 year terms, adjustable rate loans, balloon loans, jumbo loans, construction loans, VA and FHA loans.
Current Ohio mortgage rates offered by Huntington Bank include the following terms and rates:
30 year fixed rate mortgage has an Ohio mortgage rate of 4.750% with 0.625 discount points and an APR of 5.069%.
A 15 year fixed rate mortgage has an Ohio mortgage rate of 4.125% with 0.375 discount points and an APR of 4.616%.
The Huntington Bank 3/1 adjustable rate mortgage has a mortgage rate of 4.000% with 0.0 discount points and an APR of 3.567%. The loan rate for this mortgage product is normally lower than fixed rates however the mortgage interest rates will change at predetermined intervals based upon an index.
The bank’s 7 year balloon loan has a mortgage rate in Ohio of 4.500% and 0.125 points and a 5.052% APR.
The balloon loans are often loans that are considered by borrowers who plan to live in their home for a shorter period of time and want the benefits of a fixed monthly payment. The balloon mortgage loan rate is generally lower than the rates found on either 30 year fixed rate loan or a 15 year fixed rate loan.
Huntington’s mortgage division offers several different mortgage products and mortgage rates in Ohio other than those listed. The FHA loans and the VA loans offered by the bank come with a wide range of mortgage loan options, including fixed rate mortgages and ARMs.
The Ohio mortgage rates and annual percentage rates (APRs) listed are based on a $120,000 loan amount on a single family owner occupied home, with a minimum 20% down payment, excellent credit a rate lock period of 30 days.
All mortgage loans in Ohio are subject to bank and credit approval. Ohio mortgage rates listed are current as of this publication but are subject to change at any time.
For individuals looking to buy or refinance a home in Ohio, current mortgage rates and additional home loan information can be obtain from Huntington Bank at 1-800-562-6871.
NJ Mortgage Rates with Atlantic Stewardship Bank
Good service combined with competitive mortgage rates with a local bank in New Jersey is not always easy to come across. Of the over 1000 state banks in New Jersey, Atlantic Stewardship Bank is one that offers good service and very competitive rates on mortgages in the state.
Atlantic Stewardship Bank is a New Jersey based bank that operates its main office in Midland Park, New Jersey, and has an additional twelve bank branch offices in the area.
Atlantic Stewardship Bank provides commercial and retail banking services to small and medium sized business and individuals in Bergen, Morris, and Passaic counties of New Jersey.
Atlantic Stewardship Bank offers a wide range of mortgage loan products and mortgage rates in NJ for home purchases or an existing mortgage refinance of a primary residence as well as for second homes and investment properties.
Residential mortgage loan products available in New Jersey from Atlantic Stewardship Bank include: conventional mortgages, jumbo mortgages on both fixed and adjustable rate mortgages as well as first time homebuyer’s program.
A sample of the current mortgage rates in New Jersey and mortgage loans offered by Atlantic Stewardship Bank include:
A 30 year fixed rate conforming loan on a loan amount of $100,000 to $417,000 has a mortgage rate in New Jersey of 5.000% with $450.00 in points and fees and an APR of 5.194%.
A 15 year fixed rate conforming loan on a loan amount of $100,000 to $417,000 has a mortgage rate of 4.375% with $450.00 in points and fees and an APR of 4.870%.
The rate on a 30 year jumbo mortgage with a loan amount of $750,000 to $1,500,000 has a mortgage rate in New Jersey of 5.750% with $0.00 in points and fees and an APR of 5.812%.
The bank offers a variety of adjustable rate mortgages including a 5/1 ARM that has mortgage rate in NJ of 4.375% with no points and an APR of 3.691%.
This is a sample of current mortgage rates in NJ by Atlantic Stewardship Bank, other rates, options and terms are available on some of the listed home loan products.
The NJ mortgage rates and annual percentage rates (APR) listed are based on a loan amount of $100,000 with a 20% or larger down payment on a single family owner occupied home with excellent credit. Mortgage rates are current as of this publication, rates are not guaranteed, all mortgage rates and mortgage loans in NJ offered by Atlantic Stewardship Bank are subject to change and bank approval.
For more information on mortgage programs and current mortgage rates offered by the bank call the Atlantic Stewardship Bank mortgage department for details at 1-877-844-2265.
Mortgage Rates in NJ with RSI Bank
RSI Bank has been doing business in New Jersey since 1851. The bank offers a number of financial services and bank products including home loans and mortgages. RSI bank offers several home loan programs that are available on properties located throughout the state of New Jersey.
Mortgage loans offered by RSI Bank include standard fixed rate mortgages and adjustable rate mortgages as well as FHA loans and reverse mortgages. The bank also offers biweekly payment home loans for those borrowers that want to pay off their home loan faster by making more frequent payments and save significant costs over the life of the loan.
The reverse mortgage option allows home owners that are 62 years of age and older to borrow against the equity in their home without having to pay anything until they no longer own the property. Reverse mortgages are not based on the income of the borrower or the credit of the borrower.
RSI Bank offers borrowers competitive mortgage rates in New Jersey and for those potential home loan borrowers looking for a new home in New Jersey, the bank provides pre-qualification and pre-approval services.
Along with competitive New Jersey mortgage rates and loan programs, RSI Bank also a number of services to its bank and loan customers. RSI Bank offers automatic payment deductions in which the borrower can pay their RSI loans from an account held at RSI Bank or any other bank. The bank offers online banking which allows customers to view their payment history online 24 hours a day. Additional bank services include telephone banking and the ability to apply for the home loans at the branch or online safely and securely.
Current NJ mortgage rates and NJ mortgage loans offered by RSI Bank include:
A 30 year fixed rate loan in New Jersey has a mortgage rate of 5.125% with no points and an APR of 5.145%.
The same 30 year fixed rate loan is also available with a mortgage rate of 4.875% with 1.00 point that has an APR of 4.982%.
A 15 year term loan has a mortgage rate of 4.500% with no points and an APR of 4.533%.
The bank has a 10 year loan with a mortgage rate of 4.375% and no points with 4.4225 APR.
The bank’s 5 year adjustable rate mortgage that has a 30 year term has a mortgage rate in NJ of 4.625% with no points and an APR of 4.801%
Additional mortgage rates in NJ with varying costs and point options are also available.
NJ mortgage rates and annual percentage rates ( APRs ) listed are for owner-occupied single family homes with a minimum down payment of 20%. Mortgage rates are current as of March 4, 2010. All mortgage rates are subject to change without notice and all home loans are subject to bank approval and conditions.
RSI Bank is based in Rahway, New Jersey. For current mortgage rates and loan terms, a bank loan officer can be reached at 732- 388-1800.
Mortgage Rates and Mortgage Brokers
To understand the function of a mortgage broker, a key component of understanding how they operate is to understand how the mortgage broker sets their mortgage rates.
A mortgage broker is predominantly a credit facilitator. Their job is to obtain the customer, which is the home loan borrower, process the loan request which entails verifying the borrowers employment as well as their assets and credit, submit the loan to a wholesale lender and upon loan approval, coordinate the loan closing.
Mortgage brokers may offer the lowest mortgage rates in the local market or they be the highest or just somewhere in between. Since mortgage broker is technically a facilitator of credit, the mortgage loan is funded by a wholesale mortgage lender or bank. Mortgage wholesale lenders fund the loans for the broker and provide the price at which they will fund the loans.
During the peak boom in mortgage originations, most all of the major banks in the U.S. engaged in wholesale mortgage lending or obtaining mortgage loans from brokers. Citibank, Wells Fargo, Bank of America, US Bank, National City Bank, Chase Bank and HSBC all had wholesale lending divisions which acquired home loans from brokers.
The mortgage rate and any discount points determine the price the wholesale lender will pay for the loan. The mortgage broker makes their money on any extra fees and the increase in rate or points over that paid by the wholesale lender. As an example, if the wholesale lender offers to pay the mortgage broker a mortgage rate of 5.25% and 1 point for a standard $200,000.00 mortgage loan and the broker in turn offers the customer a mortgage rate of 5.25% and 2 points, the mortgage broker makes the 1 point. 1 point represents 1% of the loan amount. The broker could offer the customer 5.75% and 1 point and make their income based on the difference between the 5.25% and 5.75%, as well.
When the amount of money the mortgage broker makes is based upon the difference between the wholesale mortgage rate and the rate to the borrower, this difference is referred to as a yield spread premium.
The mortgage rates established by the mortgage lender will be influenced by the type of loan, the size of the loan and how long the loan is locked for. Different loan types such as adjustable rate mortgages or FHA mortgages have different rates. Since most of the income derived form mortgage originating is based on a percentage of the loan amount, it is not uncommon to see minor difference sin rates base on loan size. And finally, longer loan lock costs more money since the mortgage lender has to honor that rate regardless of what happens to interest rates and mortgage rates in the market during the time of the loan lock and loan closing.
As a real life example of how this functions, the following is a rate from a wholesale mortgage lender in the U.S that funds loans for mortgage brokers and also engages in retail mortgages or loan that are direct to the consumer. The mortgage lender’s name will not be mentioned.
For a 30 year loan, this mortgage lender offers brokers a mortgage rate of 5.00% on a 30 day loan lock at a price of 101.509. This price means the mortgage broker that delivers to the lender on that 30 day lock at 5.00% will be paid 1.509% of the loan amount as a fee or yield spread premium.
That same wholesale lender offers a mortgage rate of 4.625% on 30 day lock at price of 99.253. This means the mortgage lender needs to be paid .747 points to obtain that rate. This can be accomplished if the mortgage broker closed the loan with the borrower at a rate of 4.625% and 2 points. 0.747 points would go the wholesale lender and 1.253 points would be kept by the mortgage broker. This kind of pricing is similar to bond pricing, in which 100 represents the par rate, over 100 is a premium and under 100 is a discount where each point represents 1% of the loan amount.
The longer the loan lock the higher the cost of the home loans. In this example, that same mortgage lender offers the 5.00% rate at 101.022 for a 6o day lock. Since it costs more for a longer lock, the broker makes 1.509% on the 30 day lock and only 1.022% on the 60 day lock. It is a fair assumption that shorter lock makes more money. In this case, the mortgage lender in fact offers a price of 101.696 on a 15 day lock, which is a slightly higher fee for the mortgage broker than the 30 day lock.
Here is what the rate sheet would like to the mortgage broker with the mortgage rate, lock period and price paid:
Rate 15 Day Lock 30 Day Lock 45 Day Lock 60 Day Lock
4.625 99.455 99.253 99.005 98.765
4.750 100.450 100.253 100.000 99.764
4.875 101.188 100.997 100.738 100.509
4.990 101.530 101.343 101.080 100.856
5.000 101.696 101.509 101.246 101.022
5.125 102.122 101.940 101.672 101.453
5.250 103.119 102.943 102.669 102.456
5.375 103.798 103.628 103.348 103.141
Now, to make this fun. Since this example involves a mortgage lender that offers retail services, we can compare the current mortgage rate offered on their website to any old home borrower to those rates they offer mortgage brokers. ( the wholesale rate sheet is not available to consumers and therefore this comparison is available for those in the mortgage business that have access to wholesale mortgage lender rate sheets )
On the mortgage lenders website, this bank is currently offering a 30 year fixed rate loan on a 30 day lock with a mortgage rate of 4.875% and 0.488 points. The same loan can be had at a rate of 4.750% and 1.323 points or 4.990% and 0.142 points per the website on a home loan in Illinois for $200,000.00.
It has been some months since we have reviewed the mortgage broker / retail lender pricing and I must say that the rates to the mortgage brokers look fairly aggressive. If I apply for a mortgage loan with this lender, the 4.99% rate will cost me 0.142 points and whatever other closing costs they have at closing, the mortgage broker can offer a 4.99% rate to me as well and get paid 1.343 points from the lender and make another 0.142 points if they charged the same points that the retail division of that lender charges. That is a total of 1.485 points on the home loan. If the loan amount is $200,000.00 that equates to a payment to the mortgage broker of $2,970.00. Not bad income for originating one loan. Of course, the mortgage broker will have cost for processing the borrowers loan request as well as fixed costs and marketing costs to finds the customers.
Current Mortgage Rates in Florida with TD Bank
TD Bank offers a wide range of financial products and services including home mortgages. TD Bank operates in 12 states and the District of Columbia and offers mortgage loans for purchases and refinances in those markets.
TD Bank offers competitive mortgage rates in Florida. None of the home loan programs offered by TD Bank in Florida have penalties for early payoff or prepayments. With a TD Bank mortgage in Florida, borrowers can pay off their mortgage any time with no additional charges.
Home loans with TD Bank and other mortgage lenders will often involve a variety of fees, such as the appraisal fee, title charges, closing fees, as well as state or local taxes. These fees vary from state to state but TD Bank offers a program on mortgages for purchases in Florida called the Hassle-Free Mortgage Guarantee. The Hassle-Free Mortgage Guarantee includes a commitment for same day loan decision or receive a $500.00 refund, guaranteed closing costs or a $500.00 refund and guaranteed on time closing or a $500.00 refund.
The home loan guarantee does not apply to pre-approval, refinances and the bank’s home equity loans. The amount of the guaranteed closing costs is based on the Good Faith Estimate provided by TD Bank. The same day loan decision and on-time closing guarantees are conditional on the bank receiving the required information and documents. Other conditions apply to this offer.
Current Florida mortgage rates and loans offered by TD Bank include:
30 year fixed rate loan has a mortgage rate of 5.125% with no pints and an APR of 5.150%.
The 30 year fixed with 1.0 discount point has a mortgage rate of 4.875% and an APR of 4.988%.
A 15 year fixed rate mortgage has a mortgage rate of 4.375% with no points and a 4.418% APR
The 15 year fixed home loan with 1.0 discount point has a mortgage rate of 4.125% and an APR of 4.317%.
TD Bank also offers a one year adjustable rate mortgage that has a mortgage rate of 2.875% and no points with an APR of 3.128%.
The mortgage interest rates offered in Florida, the annual percentage rates and discount points listed are subject to bank approval and may change without notice. Florida mortgage rates are based on a mortgage loan for an owner occupied, single family home with a 20% or larger down payment. All loans are subject to bank credit, income and asset approval.
TD Bank is one of the 15 largest commercial banks in the United States. TD Bank provides customers with a full range of financial products and services at more than 1,000 bank branch locations predominantly on the east coast from Maine to Florida. Florida mortgage loan applications can be completed with the bank at one of the bank branch locations or online.
Freddie Mac Finally Stops Buying Interest Only Mortgages
Freddie Mac announced, with little fanfare, that it will stop buying and securing mortgage loans that are based on interest only payments. Freddie Mac is the second largest purchaser of home mortgages in the U.S. behind only Fannie Mae. The press release provide by Freddie Mac announced that on or about September 1, 2010, the company will cease purchasing and securitizing interest only mortgages, including Freddie Mac Initial Interest fixed-rate and adjustable-rate mortgages.
Interest only mortgages became popular near the top of the housing boom, allowing buyers to purchase a larger home based on a lower mortgage payment provided by the interest only loan feature. Interest only mortgage loans offered the borrowers the ability to make monthly payments that were only the interest portion of the debt and paid off none of the principal balance.
The interest only option would be for a specified period after which time the loan would require interest and principal payments to retire the debt in full. The interest only period frequently ran from five to ten years and then principal and interest payments would be scheduled on a fully amortizing basis for the remainder of the mortgage term.
Interest only options were available on both fixed rate mortgages and adjustable rate mortgages. These loans allowed homeowners to make purchases during the period when homes were becoming less affordable. The rational for these home loans is certainly suspect, the borrower is eventually going to be confronted with a larger more mortgage payment once the interest only period expires and for both the mortgage lender and home owner, there is no increase in equity during the interest only period unless housing prices continue to ratchet up. The end result, these types of mortgage loans ended up performing worse than conventional, fully amortizing fixed rate loans.
Fewer of these home loan have been produced in the past months since underwriting standards have become stricter. Borrowers need to qualify for the loan based on a fully amortizing payment instead of just the interest only payment and they often require a larger down payment.
These changes may not put an end to these type of home loans forever but there are certainly fewer banks that make loans that do meet the qualifications established by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. It is not likely that very many banks will be willing to take the risk of originating these loans without the security of Freddie Mac purchasing or securitizing the loans and leaving the possibly the bank will get stuck with a greater number of non-performing loans.
Wisconsin and Minnesota Mortgage Rates at The RiverBank
The RiverBank offers a wide assortment of mortgage loans and mortgage rates in Wisconsin and Minnesota. The RiverBank is a Wisconsin based bank with bank branch locations in Wisconsin and Minnesota.
The RiverBank provides a combination of competitive home loan rates and low fees along with good customer service. Part of the customer service involves local loan servicing. With local customer service, The RiverBank mortgage department is available to assist consumers with questions regarding mortgage escrows, interest reporting, loan payment options and other home loan topics for home loans in Minnesota or home loans in Wisconsin.
The RiverBank offers mortgage loans that range from simple fixed rate loans to adjustable rate loans and balloon loans. Home loans are available for borrowers buying their first home or for investment properties.
The conventional fixed rate loan offer financing up to 95% of a home purchase, provided the borrower qualifies for the limited down payment program, or 80% without the added cost of mortgage insurance.
These fixed rate programs may be available for a primary residence whether it is a purchase or a refinance or for a year-round second home. Fixed rate mortgages are also available on investment properties.
The bank offer the adjustable rate mortgages with various payment options and rate adjustments. These loans may be a good choice for a borrower that is looking for a low initial monthly payment and is willing to accept the risk and uncertainty of higher rates and payments in the future.
Current mortgage rates in Wisconsin and Minnesota offered by The RiverBank include:
30 year conventional fixed rate has a mortgage rate of 5.10% with 0 points and a 5.147% APR.
A 30 year fixed rate loan with one point has a mortgage rate of 4.95% and an APR of 5.085%.
A 20 year conventional fixed rate loan has a mortgage rate of 4.95% with 0 points and a 5.013% APR.
A 20 year fixed rate mortgage with one point has a mortgage rate of 4.75% and an APR of 4.933%.
The 15 year conventional mortgage has a mortgage rate of 4.45% with 0 points and a 4.529% APR.
The 15 year with one point has mortgage rate of 4.30% and a 4.530% APR.
A 1yr ARM with The RiverBank has a mortgage rate of 3.875% with 0 points and a 3.225% APR.
Mortgage rates are current as of the date of this publication and are subject to change without notice. All mortgage rates and mortgage loans are subject to bank approval and additional conditions will apply.
The interest rates and fees listed are available to borrowers with an excellent credit history on a single family, owner occupied property not requiring mortgage insurance. The actual mortgage rates and fees available on any particular loan will be based on the borrower’s credit history, income and assets and may be different than the rates displayed here.
To contact The RiverBank regarding current mortgage rates in Wisconsin or Minnesota mortgage rates and home loans, a bank representative can be reached at 888-294-2183. A mortgage loan application can also be filled out online at the bank website.
Mortgage Rates from Webster Bank February 15, 2010
Webster Bank is a Connecticut based bank that offers mortgages in all 50 states. Webster Bank not only offers a variety of mortgage loans with competitive mortgage rates but also provides traditional consumer banking, business banking, mortgage banking, insurance, financial planning, trust and investment services with a network of over 180 bank branch locations in four states.
Webster Bank offers a comprehensive selection of home loan products from FHA loans to new construction financing.
Webster Bank offers standard fixed rate mortgages on a variety of programs for both conventional and jumbo loans. The bank offers adjustable rate mortgages for borrowers who may be looking for a lower initial rate to help qualify for a larger loan. Webster Bank also offers competitive fixed and adjustable rates on jumbo home loans.
Government loan programs available through Webster Bank include FHA loans, VA loans and Connecticut Housing Finance Authority loans. Webster Bank FHA loans offers low interest rates combined with low down payment requirements.
The bank’s construction lending options provide one consolidated loan for land and new construction, so there is only one loan closing. Construction loans are available for stick-build, modular, or pre-fabricated homes. Mortgage loans for new construction are available with various interest rate options, including fixed rate and interest-only programs.
A sample of current mortgage rates offered by Webster Bank includes the following terms:
A 15 year fixed rate mortgage has a mortgage rate of 4.250% with no points and an APR of 4.363%.
A 30 year fixed rate mortgage has a mortgage rate of 4.875% with no pints and an APR of 4.942%.
A 5/1 adjustable rate mortgage has a rate of 4.000% with no pints and a 3.328% APR.
For shorter fixed period, the bank offers a 3/1 adjustable rate mortgage with a rate of 4.875% with no pints and a 3.152% APR.
Mortgage rates are subject to change. The mortgage rates posted are current as of February 15, 2010; actual rates may vary based on credit qualifications, loan amount, down payment, term and property location. All home loans are subject to credit approval and the bank approval process.
Mortgage loans are available in all states some restrictions may apply. For current mortgage rates or to speak with a Webster Bank mortgage loan representative about their home loan products, call 1.888.681.7788.
California Mortgage Rates at Union Bank
There are numerous choices for consumers to choose from to find a competitive mortgage rate in the state of California. One choice is Union Bank, the largest bank measured by assets headquartered in California. The bank is headquartered in San Francisco, California and has bank branches throughout California as well as additional offices in Oregon and Washington.
Union Bank is a commercial bank that provides financial products and services to businesses and individuals. The bank offers checking accounts, savings accounts, individual retirement accounts, certificates of deposit, auto loans, personal loans, a variety of mortgage loans and more.
Union Bank has several flexible financing options for home purchases and refinances in California. The bank offers fixed rate mortgages that offer a fixed interest rate for the life of the loan, a two step mortgage that features a 40-year term with a fixed interest rate for 15 years and a one time interest rate and monthly payment adjustment for the remaining term of 25 years as well as a 5 year adjustable rate mortgage that has a fixed interest rate for the first five years of the home loan, then will adjust on the first change date after the five year period up to 3% and thereafter the interest rate can increase or decrease up to 2% per year, with a lifetime rate cap of 5% above the initial rate. These are just a few of the options for borrowers have with Union Bank to refinance or purchase a home.
Current California mortgage rates and terms offered by Union Bank include the following samples. These California mortgage rates are current as of February 14, 2010.
15 year fixed rate mortgage has mortgage rate of 5.625% with no points and an APR of 5.765%.
For a lower rate with slightly higher costs, the bank offers a 15 year mortgage rate of 5.125% with 1 point and an APR of 5.418%.
For a 5 year adjustable rate mortgage, Union Bank offers a mortgage rate of 5.000% with no points and an APR of 4.037%.
The 5 year adjustable rate mortgage with one point would have a mortgage rate of 4.500% and an APR of 3.937%.
The 15 year two step has a mortgage rate of 5.875% with no points and an APR of 5.761%.
Mortgage rates are subject to change without notice. Bank approval is required for all home loans and additional conditions will apply. These mortgage rates are dated February 14, 2010 and are based on a home loan in California on an owner occupied single family home in the amount of $325,000.00 with a $100,000.00 down payment. Mortgage rates in California and the APRs will vary based on the final loan amount, qualifications of the borrower and finance charges.
Union Bank has home loan financing options for first or second homes as well as residential investment properties. For additional home loan options and current California mortgage rates offered by Union Bank, a bank loan officer can be reached at 1-866-UB-LOANS.
All loans are subject to credit and collateral approval by the bank.
Mortgage Loans and Earnest Money Deposits
Once an interested home buyer wants to make an offer on a property, along with a contract to make the offer, the buyer will make an earnest money deposit to go with the offer.
The earnest money deposit is a good faith deposit to indicate that the buyer is serious about the offer and their intentions to consummate a transaction. The earnest money deposit is not to be confused with a down payment. The mortgage loan approval is not dependent or related to the earnest money deposit.
This deposit money is given to the real estate agent, attorney or seller at the time of the offer and if the seller accepts the offer, the earnest money is held in escrow until closing. If the earnest money is documented properly, it will generally be applied to the down payment or the buyer’s portion of the closing costs when the purchase goes forward.
If the purchase offer for the home is rejected, the earnest money is usually returned, since there is no legal contract between the buyer and seller. If the buyer withdraws the offer or does not fulfill the contract terms after the contract is properly executed by buyer and seller, the earnest money may be forfeited.
The amount of the earnest money deposit varies significantly depending on factors such as local practices in the specific market area, the price of the home, and the supply and demand for homes at that time of contract negotiations.
It is, of course, generally in the seller’s best interest to see a large earnest money deposit. With the larger deposit, the seller is in general more convinced to accept the purchase offer. This is a strategy that is more likely to be utilized in high demand markets where homes are selling at a brisk pace. In other markets, earnest money deposits of $500.00 or $1,000.00 are quite acceptable.
Understanding the market is the principal guideline for determining the amount of the deposit. Real estate professionals will all have opinions on what is a satisfactory amount, but unless the housing market has a strong demand and low supply, a lower earnest money deposit is not likely to dissuade a seller.
The buyer should have a contingency to inspect the property and withdraw the offer within a certain time frame written into the contract, with this in mind; it is in the buyer’s interest to make the smallest amount of earnest money possible. If the buyer cannot obtain a mortgage within a certain time frame, for example, the earnest money will be returned in full if the offer stated such a contingency.
To avoid any complications with a mortgage lender about the earnest money deposit and subsequent credit at the time of the mortgage loan closing, copy the check before submitting it with the contract and then copy the front and back once it clears the bank. The mortgage lender will then have ample proof that the funds deposited were the buyers and have already cleared the bank and the buyer will get a full credit for those funds as they may be applied to the down payment or mortgage closing costs at the time of settlement.