Seller contributions can reduce your upfront costs, but there are limits. Learn about the maximum seller concessions for conventional loans and ways to use seller credits strategically.
Earnest money is a deposit that shows sellers you're serious about buying their home, typically ranging from 1% to 3% of the purchase price. This good faith deposit is usually due within a few days of an accepted offer, is applied to your closing costs, and can be refundable under certain contract contingencies.
Past credit mishaps don't necessarily make you ineligible for a conventional loan. Here's how to deal with collections and other credit events when applying.