Aly J. Yale is a contributor at Buy Side and an expert on real estate, mortgages, investing and home renovations. When you buy a house, the biggest check you’ll typically write is on closing day—when ...

Earnest money is the money a property buyer must put down to demonstrate commitment to purchase a property. When the purchase agreement is signed, sellers will have to take their property off the ...

Getting ready to shop for a home? An important part of the home buying process is making an earnest money deposit, or “EMD.” Also known as a “good faith deposit,” earnest money is a lump sum of cash ...

An escrow account is a secure holding area for money and documents during a real estate transaction. It protects buyers, sellers, and lenders by ensuring no funds or titles change hands until all ...

Escrow is typically managed by a third party and used to pay certain bills. Here’s how it can impact your mortgage loan Using an escrow account is a way to deposit money with a neutral third party for ...