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Earnest money calculator

Convert an agreed earnest-money deposit percentage into a cash amount.

Calculator

Property price
$500,000.00
Deposit
$10,000.00
Deposit percentage
2.0000%

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How this calculator works

Enter the deposit percentage negotiated in the purchase agreement. The deposit is typically credited towards the buyer's required funds at closing, rather than added on top of the purchase price. This calculation does not assume that a particular percentage is customary or that the deposit is refundable.

Formula

Deposit = property price × deposit rate. Deposit rate = deposit / property price. Property price = deposit / deposit rate.

Worked example

A 2% deposit on a $500,000 purchase is $10,000. A $15,000 deposit on a $600,000 purchase is 2.5%.

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Frequently asked questions

Is the deposit the same as the down payment?

It can form part of the down payment at closing, but the agreement may require it much earlier.

What rate should I enter?

Use the amount agreed with the seller. There is no universal deposit percentage.

Will I get the deposit back if the deal fails?

The purchase agreement and local law govern that question; the arithmetic cannot determine refund rights.

Sources

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