In this brief segment, the presenter addresses whether an earnest money deposit (EMD) is required when making a real‑estate offer. He clarifies that while an EMD is not a legal requirement, it is a widely accepted practice and sellers almost always expect one. Consequently, offers without an earnest money deposit are rarely accepted. The speaker advises buyers to include an EMD to improve the likelihood of acceptance.
Next, do I have to put an earnest money deposit down? Is it required? It's absolutely not required, but it's also not required that you get your offer accepted. Okay, so there are things that are required, and then there are things that are just generally accepted. And my advice would be, it would be rare to have a seller accept an offer without an earnest money deposit.
Understanding the Responsibility Is Not the Same as Being Prepared to Carry It
