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Housing

12 Things to Look for When Touring a Home (That Most Buyers Miss!)

LC Admin - 0
Introduction: The Art of House Hunting (and What You’re Probably Overlooking) House hunting is a rollercoaster of emotions, and trust me, I’ve been there. One minute, you're picturing yourself sipping coffee on the charming front porch, envisioning slow Sunday mornings, and the next, you’re...
Housing

6 Upgrades That Increase Your Home’s Value (And 3 That Don’t!)

LC Admin - 0
Ah, home upgrades. We’ve all had that moment of inspiration (or impulse) where we think, This will totally make my house worth more! Maybe it’s after binge-watching a home renovation show or seeing a neighbor’s shiny new addition. But here’s the thing: not...
Housing

8 Home Staging Tips That Can Boost Your Home’s Selling Price

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  So you’ve decided to sell your home? Before you go running and smacking down a "For Sale" sign into your front lawn, let’s talk about something that could put extra money in your pocket—home staging. Think of it like preparing for a first date....
Housing

Fixer Upper vs. Move-in Ready: What You Need to Know

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Some people walk into a ‘project’ house and see limitless possibilities, while others walk in and walk right back out. This difference leads us to one of the biggest decisions you’ll face: whether to purchase a fixer-upper or a move-in ready home.  Both options...
Housing

New Home Must-Haves: What You Really Need vs. Want!

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Quick– name the things you can’t live without in a new home. What are the first things that come to mind? Granite countertops, spa-like bathrooms, and open-concept layouts? But before you let your imagination run wild, it’s important to separate what you need...
New Builds

How to Minimize the Cost of Land to Build a House

LC Admin - 0
Buying land to build your dream home is an exciting (and significant!) step, but it often comes with a big price tag. In fact, the cost of land can be a major roadblock, leaving you with the dilemma of how to secure a...
New Builds

Should You Build a New Home or Buy an Old House?

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Making the decision to buy a house is one of the most significant financial and personal choices you'll ever make. But beyond choosing the perfect neighborhood or figuring out how much mortgage you can afford, a critical question comes up: should you build...
Finance

What Kind of Financing is Right for You?

LC Admin - 0
  Buying a home is exciting, but full of choices that can have a long-term impact on your financial future. Choosing the right financing option is a critical part of the process. With so many mortgage products available, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. How...
Finance

How to Qualify for a Mortgage When You’re Self-Employed

LC Admin - 0
The process for applying for and qualifying for a mortgage can be complicated. If you are self-employed, this process can become even more difficult. Mortgage lenders like the income consistency of someone who works for a company rather than for themselves. This can...
First Time Home Buyer

Don’t Get Caught in the Flames: First-time Homeowner’s Guide to Wildfires in California

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California bleeds incredible landscapes and mild weather, and it is one of the biggest economies in the world; no wonder folks continue to look at this state and consider moving in. While California offers stunning coastal living, potential homeowners should be aware of...
First Time Home Buyer

How Much Do You Really Need for a Mortgage Down Payment?

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Mortgage Down Payments: What You Need to Know One of the biggest considerations when buying a new home is the down payment. Is it better to put more money down and reduce the loan amount, or is it better to keep more funds in...
First Time Home Buyer

How to Make an Offer on a House (That Will Be Accepted!)

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You’ve found the perfect house, and now it’s time to make an offer. This step can be one of the most nerve-wracking parts of the home-buying process, especially in a competitive market. Making an offer that’s attractive to the seller while staying within...
Living

Earthquake Guide for First-Time Homebuyers in California

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“In California, it’s not a matter of if, but when.” California sits atop some of the most active fault lines in the world. The most popular is the more than 800 miles of San Andreas faults. Up north, you've got Hayward and Calaveras faults...
Housing

Flooding in California: An Underestimated Danger

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Warning: California is riddled with climate and natural disasters. While wildfires and earthquakes are frequent headlines, homeowners must also be wary of flooding. From atmospheric rivers to rising sea levels, floods are a growing risk in Central Valley areas, the state's capital, Sacramento,...
Finance

Comprehensive Guide to First-Time Homebuyer Assistance Programs  

LC Admin - 0
Achieving your dream of homeownership in California is no joke. Want the Hollywood glamour? Prominent residential real estate brokerage Compass reported their Q3 2024 prices and discovered you do, in fact, have to be a millionaire to purchase many homes. Single-family homes in...
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First Time Home Buyer

earnest money deposit

What Is an Earnest Money Deposit? A First-Time Homebuyer’s Guide

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Buying your first home is exciting—but let’s be honest, it can also feel a little overwhelming. Between pre-approvals, inspections, contracts, and negotiations, there’s a...
first time homebuyer

A First-Time Homebuyer’s Guide to Programs That Can Help You Get...

sean - 0
Buying your first home is one of the most exciting milestones in life, but it can also feel overwhelming. With home prices on the...

What is the Difference Between a Buyer’s Market and a Seller’s...

Don’t Get Caught in the Flames: First-time Homeowner’s Guide to Wildfires...

How Much Do You Really Need for a Mortgage Down Payment?

How to Make an Offer on a House (That Will Be...

RECENT VIDEO

Buying your first home? Don’t risk losing your deposit! In this episode of Two-Minute Tuesday, I’m breaking down what an Earnest Money Deposit is, why it’s such a big deal in the home buying process, and how first-time buyers like Sarah have LOST thousands by not understanding the rules. 😬 Whether you’re just starting your real estate journey or deep into making offers, this is one video you can’t afford to skip. What You’ll Learn: What an Earnest Money Deposit actually is How it protects both the buyer and seller What happens to your money if the deal falls apart A real-world example of how a buyer lost $5,000 Don’t get blindsided—protect your deposit and make smarter offers. Timestamps: 0:00 – Purpose of the Video 0:28 – What Is an Earnest Money Deposit? 0:42 – Why Earnest Money Matters in Real Estate 1:18 – How the Deposit Is Handled (Escrow) 1:41 – What Happens to Your Deposit After Closing 1:46 – When You Might Lose Your Earnest Money 2:02 – Real-Life Example: How Sarah Lost Her Deposit 2:45 – Importance of Contract Contingencies 3:10 – Why Earnest Money Strengthens Your Offer 3:33 – Final Tips for Handling Earnest Money 4:26 – How to Contact the Agent and Ask Questions Let’s chat: Alex Schult CA DRE License # 02236174 KW Spectrum Properties 📲 Text: 949-726-2601 📧 Email: aschult@kw.com 👍 Like this video if you found it helpful 🔔 Subscribe for more quick real estate tips every Tuesday 💬 Drop your questions in the comments—I'm here to help! #EarnestMoneyDeposit #HomeBuyerTips #HomeBuyingProcess #RealEstateMistakes 🎥 More videos you’ll find helpful: The Best & Worst States for Affordable Housing in 2025 (Full Breakdown) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jHy2wAiGHYw How Does Escrow Work? What is Escrow? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EOPvR9F2DlY DISCLAIMER: This video content is intended for informational, educational, and entertainment purposes only. Neither Living in California nor Alex Schult is a registered financial advisor, attorney, or tax professional. While we have taken reasonable steps to ensure the accuracy of the information presented in this video, we cannot guarantee that it is free from errors or omissions. Any reliance you place on the information provided is strictly at your own risk. Additionally, your use of the Living in California YouTube channel and any communication through this platform, including but not limited to YouTube comments, emails, or messages, does not establish a formal business relationship with Alex Schult or Living in California. For specific advice related to your real estate, financial, or legal needs, we recommend consulting with a licensed professional in the relevant field.

Buying your first home? Don’t risk losing your deposit!
In this episode of Two-Minute Tuesday, I’m breaking down what an Earnest Money Deposit is, why it’s such a big deal in the home buying process, and how first-time buyers like Sarah have LOST thousands by not understanding the rules. 😬

Whether you’re just starting your real estate journey or deep into making offers, this is one video you can’t afford to skip.

What You’ll Learn:

What an Earnest Money Deposit actually is
How it protects both the buyer and seller
What happens to your money if the deal falls apart
A real-world example of how a buyer lost $5,000
Don’t get blindsided—protect your deposit and make smarter offers.

Timestamps:
0:00 – Purpose of the Video
0:28 – What Is an Earnest Money Deposit?
0:42 – Why Earnest Money Matters in Real Estate
1:18 – How the Deposit Is Handled (Escrow)
1:41 – What Happens to Your Deposit After Closing
1:46 – When You Might Lose Your Earnest Money
2:02 – Real-Life Example: How Sarah Lost Her Deposit
2:45 – Importance of Contract Contingencies
3:10 – Why Earnest Money Strengthens Your Offer
3:33 – Final Tips for Handling Earnest Money
4:26 – How to Contact the Agent and Ask Questions

Let’s chat: Alex Schult CA DRE License # 02236174 KW Spectrum Properties 📲 Text: 949-726-2601 📧 Email: aschult@kw.com

👍 Like this video if you found it helpful
🔔 Subscribe for more quick real estate tips every Tuesday
💬 Drop your questions in the comments—I'm here to help!

#EarnestMoneyDeposit #HomeBuyerTips #HomeBuyingProcess #RealEstateMistakes

🎥 More videos you’ll find helpful:

The Best & Worst States for Affordable Housing in 2025 (Full Breakdown)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jHy2wAiGHYw

How Does Escrow Work? What is Escrow?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EOPvR9F2DlY

DISCLAIMER: This video content is intended for informational, educational, and entertainment purposes only. Neither Living in California nor Alex Schult is a registered financial advisor, attorney, or tax professional. While we have taken reasonable steps to ensure the accuracy of the information presented in this video, we cannot guarantee that it is free from errors or omissions. Any reliance you place on the information provided is strictly at your own risk. Additionally, your use of the Living in California YouTube channel and any communication through this platform, including but not limited to YouTube comments, emails, or messages, does not establish a formal business relationship with Alex Schult or Living in California. For specific advice related to your real estate, financial, or legal needs, we recommend consulting with a licensed professional in the relevant field.

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YouTube Video VVVRbjFhblZiLWZpNU9UYzdVMVR6QVZ3LlRWeWtra2p2VHZj

Earnest Money Deposit Explained: She Lost $5,000 Backing Out of the Deal

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