The typical option fee in Texas is $100 with a 7- to 10-day option period. How do we do that? The material provided on this website is strictly for informational purposes only and is not intended and should not be considered as legal advice or tax advice. She has 4+ years of writing experience and holds a degree in English Literature from Brown University. As mentioned, the option starts the day after the contract is executed and ends on the date specified in the contract. Contact us today! This is where an option period becomes key even if your choice is to back out of a sale, youll feel better having decided that on your timeline. Its a sign of good faith that a buyer intends to follow through with their offer and purchase the property. Reverse Mortgage Pros and Cons from a Financial Planners Perspective, 11 Questions to Ask When Buying a New Construction Home. The chief benefit of the option period is it allows the homebuyer time to determine if they want to move forward with the purchase. Grant Period From February 23, 2022, to August 31, 2023. Need a painter, electrician, mover, insurance company, etc.? Since Paragraph 5A, the Delivery of Earnest Money and Option Fee Paragraph, uses the word withinwhen describing the time period, Day One of the option period is the day after the effective date of the contract. We implement strict design techniques to achieve WCAG AA compliance. If your client wants his back-up contract to last until or beyond the first contract's closing date, you can also ask the listing agent to provide the first contract's closing date. Extensive case law in Texas suggests that the buyer must offer something of value to the seller to ensure that the extension is legally enforceable. The home-buying process can be overwhelmingeven more so if you rush through it. Reasonable shipping cost. Earnest money in Texas is a seemingly simple line item, but failure to meet specific deadlines can easily cause a deal to fall apart or worse lead to a buyer losing their earnest money or even facing damages. As a buyer, its important to understand when and how you can back out of a contract and keep your earnest money. The Texas real estate contract option period is in place to provide protection to the buyer. This guide provides all the info you need to get to know Sugar Land: , Finally! The termination option ends at 5 p.m. local time to where the property is located. Earnest money contracts are also called option contracts for this reason. A typical fee ranges between $100 and $500+, determined by the market and negotiated terms, and is due three days after the contract's start date. Because there are drawbacks to using a check, including a potential waiting period for the money to clear, you should know how to pay earnest money without a check. It is essentially the buyers security. The Option Fee may or may not be credited to the buyer'scosts at closing. In Massachusetts, the contingency date is 17 days after acceptance (acceptance referring to the day that the buyer and seller agreed on terms for the contingency period). You should contact your attorney to obtain advice with respect to any particular issue or problem. You may dread the idea of an additional fee, but its worth it. However, this doesnt spell the end of your dream home journey. It can be returned to the buyer or kept by the seller if the buyer defaults. This low fee is paid to have an option period during which you can enter the property, perform due diligence, and have the home inspected. Therefore, we promote stricteditorial integrity in each of our posts. Excess screen time can lead to exhaustion and stress. Average for the last 12 months. This fee makes the option period more worth a seller's time. Be sure to carefully read the language of the contract. Thinking about buying or selling real estate? There are a few items to consider when negotiating the timeframe: You can skip the option period, and thats another way to make your offer appealing. Share with your sellers these tips on how to live in a show-ready house Issues Mobilization and Political Advocacy Assessment, TACS Texas Accredited Commercial Specialist, TAHS Texas Affordable Housing Specialist, TRLP Texas REALTORS Leadership Program, TRLS Texas Residential Leasing Specialist, TRPM Texas Residential Property Manager, Sales of Million-Dollar Homes in Texas Report. Candid AdviceI promise to give you candid advice on all homes and areas so you can make the best decisions. If an appraisal comes in too low, and appealing it doesnt work, the buyer must pay the difference or the seller must drop the price for the deal to close. The Option Fee is provided to the seller as consideration for taking the home off the market during this time. Be among the first to hear about upcoming events, industry insights, expansion announcements, and more. Earnest money is money put down as a deposit with a Texas real estate purchase agreement. Texass option period is not mandatory and could affect a buyers offer being accepted as the seller could view it as inconvenient. If the deal falls through for any reason, who gets the earnest money will depend on the provisions of the contract. All rights reserved. As one, Transaction coordinators play an important role in the real estate industry. During the Option Period, the property will be removed from 'Active" status and placed in "Option Pending" status in the MLS (Multiple Listing Service). A few common contingencies that are often included in real estate offers include: Due diligence is essential when it comes to buying a home. Updated January 2023 People always ask me, , I Have the Best HomeSearch Available Yes, I know you can search for homes on the Internet on your own, but no online searches available to the general publicincludingHAR, Trulia, Zillownone of them will allow you todo thecomplicated searchesthat I canperform with my custom home search. If for whatever reason within the option period outlined in the contract the buyer wants to terminate and back out of the contract, they can do so. They support agents by taking time-consuming, detail-specific, and deadline-oriented tasks related to contracts off of their plates. They won't, however, get their option fee back. Please share this info with your Friends! Austin has a median home price of $656,000 thats $6,500 to $13,000 to put down 1-2% as a good faith deposit! If the Option fee is not paid within 3 days, then the Option period does not exist and you are buying the home as is! As of June 2022, the median sales price in Travis county was $665,000. The material provided here is for informational purposes only and is not intended and should not be considered as legal advice for your particular matter. The Texas Real Estate Option Period: Provides security for the buyer. Phone: (832) 779-2890. While there is not a set duration for the option period, typically they range from 7-10 days on average. The seller may respond by contesting the release in which case it may go to mediation or before a judge who decides who receives the earnest money. However, the more competitive the real estate market, the more important it becomes. You should contact your attorney to obtain advice with respect to any particular issue or problem. You may need to pay a secondary option fee to get the seller to concede. If a buyer backs out of a contract without a valid reason, the seller can keep the earnest money. For example, all parties execute the contract on June 2nd. In Texas, a typical option period is around 10 days and the typical option fee is about $10.00 to $30.00 per day. 5.0. Whichever name is used, know that its referring to the same thing: a finite period of time designed to give you peace of mind as a homebuyer. Yes. It provides security for the buyer by giving you the chance to terminate the purchase contract for any reason whatsoever without risking your good faith deposit. Leaving it blank or putting zero dollars may lead to an unenforceable amendment. Texas markets where multiple offers are common may have higher expectations. An option period means the buyer can terminate the contract during the agreed-upon time frame without any particular reason being given. A buyer can make their offer more appealing to a seller by offering a shorter option period, say 5-7 days. But be warned: Every option period and extension comes at a price. Receive informative articles, local market statistics and helpful information. Communication. The compensation makes the contract legally enforceable. Its a great tool for buyers to use to negotiate additional terms of the contract, or they can back out. She has published content on The Balance, The Balance SMB, Thrive Global, and other smaller publications on topics ranging from personal finance and entrepreneurship to lifestyle and real estate. a. The option money is a non-refundable fee, but it can be applied to the sales price of the home after closing. Extensive case law in Texas suggests a termination-option period cannot be extended without an additional option fee, so a buyer should pay another option fee to reliably extend the option period. If the seller does not fix objections within 15 days, the contract is terminated and the earnest money is returned to the buyer. 4.9. The Option Period in Texas is a specified number of days set forth in a real estate contract which allows the buyer to terminate the contract for any reason. The term option period is specific to Texas. Rachel Leigh Gross is a freelance writer and editor based in Providence, Rhode Island. The standard form most agents use is the TAR Release of Money Texas form. Earnest money contracts are also called option contracts for this reason. Across the United States, due diligence is probably the most common name for an option period, but you may also hear it referred to as the inspection period or contingency period. So when you sign the contract to purchase a home, you will give your real estate agent two checks: 1) Option fee check payable to the Seller, and 2) Earnest money (usually 1 percent of sales price) payable to the Title Company. Often times the renegotiation will include having the seller make the repairs or concessions based on items found in the home inspection. Here's everything you need to know about the option period and how it can help you. a. For first time buyers, its often a confusing element and a possible hurdle to buying a home. If either party prevents the transaction from closing on time, outside of issues the contract specifies allow the closing date to be extended, the non-defaulting party can exercise their rights under Paragraph 15. VA loans) that require the home to be in a particular condition. Sellers are free to reject offers that include option periods or to make counter offers without option periods. If you live in a state, like Texas, that allows an option period, you have the opportunity to consider the purchase even after the contracts have been signed. Your Texas divorce costs are influenced by complexity (including children . An option period usually comes at the cost of a non-refundable option fee on the buyers side. The option period is a good time to negotiate these repairs, otherwise closing may be an afterthought. I assist with inspections, repair negotiations, home warranties, HOA compliance inspections, hazard insurance, surveys, appraisals, title commitment, home warranties, title company, and more. This is the extra due diligence I do for you, to make sure that you are getting a great home. HomeLight, Inc. 100 1st Street, Suite 2600, San Francisco, CA 94105. In a sellers market, offers with option periods might lack a bit of appeal to a seller with a lot of interested buyers. In 2018, the Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC) updated its standard Texas real estate contract for residential purchases to clarify when does earnest money need to be deposited. Enhance your real estate experience with HAR App, To post a comment on this blog post, you must be an HAR Account subscriber, or a member of HAR. d. You will not post any information intended to sell or advertise a business, product, or service. A great real estate agent can help a buyer navigate the option period and make the most of it. For instance, putting $0 in the blank may risk the extension being held unenforceable. Texas REALTORS provides content through various online platforms, including this blog. Keep in mind that the seller keeps the option money if the buyer backs out of the contract. As a good rule of thumb, buyers should be prepared to put down the average earnest money amount Texas sellers expect no more, but definitely no less. Buy your first home this year: Perform a Financial Checkup But when you make a Homeward Cash Offer, you can have both. The buyer can make an offer to the seller requesting to extend the option period with additional compensation. Sellers expect to see an option period in a residential real estate contract, but generally speaking the longer the option period is, the less competitive your offers is. During this period, your lender conducts a. This includes weekends and holidays. Buyers typically use this time to have the home inspected to make sure there's nothing substantially wrong with the property before they commit to the purchase. It can be found in paragraph 23 in the One to Four Family Residential Contract promulgated by the Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC), as seen below. The buyer may back out of the purchase of the home. The buyer also has the option to ask the seller to make repairs or reduce the purchase price. As of January 2016 the option period time ends at 5 p.m. on the final day of the period. The seller promised to have the utilities on next week, so my buyer just wants to extend the termination-option period another 10 days. During this period, which can be 714 days depending on the contract terms, you can schedule home inspections to ensure that the house is in good condition. Don't overlook the importance of the option period. For example, if the contract effective date is March 1, the option fee must be paid by 11:59 p.m. March 4. An option period is an agreed-upon period of time, after the buyer and seller have signed the real estate contracts, during which the buyer can terminate the contract for any reason without risking their earnest money. Thebuyer may decide to exercise their right to terminate if they are not satisfied with the condition of the property after receiving the report(s). Unless the contract states otherwise, earnest money is due within 3 days of the contracts Effective Date. Shipping speed. When you write a contract to purchase a home in in Texas, you can buy an "option period" (usually 7-10 days, negotiable) from the seller for $200-$400 (negotiable) that gives you the irrevocable privilege to back out of the sales contract for any reason, and still receive your 1 percent earnest money back. Starts at the beginning of the purchase contract period Requires consideration - a non-refundable fee paid to the seller called the Option Fee. Texas REALTORS is committed to advocating for a strong real estate industry, advancing a culture of continued learning, and staying ahead of issues . The buyer would still receive back the earnest money deposit (EMD) placed down at signing, usually between 1% and 3% of the sale price. Creekview Realty notes that the option fee is usually $100 and the period is seven to 10 days. Sometimes in the home inspection report there are problems with the house that were not disclosed or unknown at the time. Yes, Texas real estate closing laws allow earnest money to be returned to the buyer in many circumstances. In 2018, the Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC) updated its standard. On average, a Texas divorce without children costs about $15,600, and one with children costs about $23,500. How Soon Can A Mortgage Be Refinanced After You Buy? I help with price analysis and negotiations, legal paperwork, inspections, repair negotiations, home warranties, HOA compliance inspections, hazard insurance, surveys, appraisals, title commitment, home warranties, and more. Im available any time for a call or chat if you. If you made an offer and waived this contingency, you cannot back out of the deal and get your deposit back no matter what the inspection uncovers. Excess screen time can lead to exhaustion and stress. Its at this time that the seller can deny and continue with the contract or the buyer can opt to back out and continue their home search. Broker: Keller Williams Southwest Try our new tool that lets you compare home values instantly from leading sources. What if the seller refuses to release earnest money in Texas? The option period is a good time to take a breath and review any contingencies before taking the final plunge. An option period can be extended if the seller agrees. Remember that earnest money is credited toward closing costs and the down payment at closing. Gain access to our suite of customizable marketing assets for agents. Shes worked in the mortgage industry since 2019 and holds a BA in Communications from California State University, Monterey Bay. Im going to , EVERYTHING YOU WANT TO KNOW ABOUT SUGAR LAND TEXAS, 1650 Highway 6, #350, Sugar Land , TX 77478 (, Ultimate Guide to Sugar Land Texas Save Time & Effort, Hows the Market in Sugar Land Texas? At the end of the Option Period (and the timing is very strict) you can do one of the following: Make sure you hire a real estate agent who knows how to properly handle Option Periods and protect your money. If the market is very competitive, a higher earnest money percentage may be warranted to make your offer more attractive. An executed contract is one where all parties have signed, initialed & money has been exchanged. Make sure you ask your agent about the consequences if you plan to waive any contingencies to strengthen your offer! This is the same deadline as the earnest money deposit. If the buyer chooses to terminate, the EMD would be refunded, but the seller would retain the option fee. Both the option periods fee and duration are negotiable. (Heres a list of home inspectors.) A seller with multiple offers wants the best price in the shortest amount of time. During the option period in Texas, the home status changes from active to option pending, and the seller cannot sell the property to another buyer during that time, although they can take backup offers. If a third party such as the buyers agent deposits the funds on behalf of the buyer, Texas escrow rules require they sign a Third Party Deposit form. This option period is usually 7 to 10 days, and you have the right to back out of the contract for almost any reason before it ends. Remember that the good faith deposit is not necessary to make the contract binding. Requires consideration - a non-refundable fee paid to the seller called the Option Fee. Traditionally, the option fee was paid to the seller. Amanda Brown is a licensed real estate agent with the State of Texas. All photos, images, and videos on this website are copyrighted and may not be downloaded or reused without the written permission of Sheila Cox. The average earnest money deposit nationwide is 1% to 2% of the purchase price but 3% in California. My job is to protect you from defective homes as much as possible while helping you make a sound financial investment. Heres why: Option periods are baked into residential real estate contracts in Texas for a number of reasons. It is important that the additional fee obtained by the seller to extend the option period is more than a symbolic gesture. However, the more competitive the real estate market, the more important it becomes. 6 of the Top We Buy Houses for Cash Companies in Kissimmee, What to Do When You Cant Afford Home Repairs and Need Help, 18 House Hunting Tips From Real Estate Experts, 5 of the Top We Buy Houses for Cash Companies in Amarillo, terminate the sale at any point during the allotted time, "5 Steps to Optimize Your Home Buyers Option Period," Stonebriar Property Inspections (June 2021), "Option Period," Legacy Texas Title (May 2021), "What is an Option Fee in Real Estate?," Close Concierge (July 2021), "Hot Markets, Cool Practices," Texas Real Estate Center (August 2021), "How to Deal With Inspection Reports Provided to a Seller," Texas Real Estate Commission (May 2019), Final negotiated terms between buyer and seller. An option period is a short window of time after your offer is accepted during which you take a closer look at your new home.If you find red flags or major issues during the option period, you can terminate the purchase and get your earnest money deposit (EMD) back from the seller. When calculating deadlines for my buyer in the One to Four Family Residential Contract (Resale), should I include weekend days or federal holidays? TREC made a change to the standard Texas real estate contract regarding how option fees are paid. If you purchased a home in Texas then youre familiar with the Texas real estate contract option period. The inclusion of the option fee often makes the idea of an option period more palatable to a seller theyll lose a few days if you walk away, but theyll keep your option feebut its still a small amount of money compared to actually selling the property. There are several options for paying Texas earnest money: The title company can choose which funds it accepts. If this contingency was waived by the buyer, the deposit is forfeited if financing falls through. Be Aware of These 15 Tenant Rights. It also allows time to negotiate repairs with the Seller. In hotter markets like Austin and its suburbs, earnest money amounts of $3000, $5000 and more are not uncommon. If the transaction doesnt close and the deal falls through, do you get your earnest money back? require longer option periods. A typical fee ranges between $100 and $500+, determined by the market and negotiated terms, and is due three days after the contracts start date. If the lender requires any repairs or treatments, such as termite treatment, neither party is obligated to pay for it. Madeline Sheen is an associate editor for HomeLight who works with an amazing team of experts in home buying, personal finance, and mortgage to create articles for HomeLights Buyer Resource Center. Keep in mind that option periods are specific to Texas and other states will have different processes that give buyers the time they need to make the final decision. This is often done by paying an additional termination-option fee. For example, some complex properties with lots of systems (septic, a well, a pool, etc.) The earnest money you deposit shows that you have skin in the game too. Having a strong case for extension, such as needing additional time for a specialty inspection, is a good negotiation tool. I am the local neighborhood expert who can give you a professional and accurate Current Market Analysis (CMA) to tell you what your Sugar Land home is worth today. If your client wishes to terminate under Paragraph 5B, the Termination Option Paragraph, she must provide notice to the seller by 5 p.m. local time where the property is located on February 1. . The 35 Steps to Building a House: Your Start-to-Finish Guide. Earnest money contracts are also called option contracts for this reason. Making their services extremely sought after by new and experienced agents alike., Transactly Acquires TC Solutions, LLC Further Expanding National Network of TCs Transactly, a rapidly growing Real Estate Transaction Platform, has announced the acquisition of TC Solutions, LLC based in King County, Washington. I hope this answered your question- "What is the Option Period in Texas?" Oops! Yes. If not, they'll face little to no penalty, says Katie Collins, Customer Experience Manager at Homeward. By interacting with any of our blog posts, you agree to comply with the following terms and conditions: Texas REALTORS, in its sole discretion, reserves the right to remove any content you have uploaded, posted, or submitted onto any of our blog posts if we believe that it violates these terms or conditions. We researched the details and talked with an expert Texas real estate agent to help you make the most of an option period. That means it will go toward closing costs and/or your down payment. The term option period is specific to Texas. While the option is clearly laid out in the contract, most buyers want to know more about it before they even begin their home search. My client wants to submit a back-up offer on a property thats already under contract. With so many contingencies, communications, and deadlines to manage in even a simple real estate transaction, its easy for real estate agents to get overwhelmed. The earnest money deposit is paid to the escrow agent after the purchase agreement is executed and signed by both parties but before three days have passed. If you are an HAR Account subscriber or a member of HAR, please click, -------------------------------------------------. (Request a Custom Search), Easier ProcessMoving your family (and possibly changing jobs) is stressful enough. These numbers come from journalists parsing data from across the United States, and they say Texas is one of the most expensive places to divorce. Being careful with your offer is crucial in a hot market, and the option period gives you the space to reflect on one of lifes greatest decisions. My team of experts is ready to help you achieve your goals. Equal Housing Opportunity Disclaimer: All information on this site is subject to change and should be independently verified. I'm always here to help! In fact, during the option period you can terminate the contract for any reason. However, the transaction is in an option period, or inspection period. On the contract is an option period that allows you time to schedule an inspection. What Documents Will I Need for Taxes if I Bought a House Last Year? The standard TREC contract has default provisions that allow the seller to cancel the contract if the earnest money is not deposited on time. Usually on the contract you have 7 to 10 days to complete the inspection. It's a good faith deposit that shows serious intent to buy the home. These factors include: The greatest determiner of the option period and fee is market status a buyer might need to aim for a shorter option period in a sellers market. Typically, you must pay a fee to set up an option period. Youre able to make a more competitive offer with confidence.. The material provided here is for informational purposes only and is not intended and should not be considered as legal advice for your particular matter. Yes. If for some reason you need to extend the option period, youll pay an additional fee. Or advertise a business, product, or service, Easier ProcessMoving family. Southwest Try our New tool that lets you compare home values instantly from leading sources provides all the you. Best decisions the typical option fee in Texas then youre familiar with the.! Advertise a business, product, or inspection period reduce the purchase dream home journey negotiate additional terms of contract... Higher earnest money who gets the earnest money is a good time to negotiate these repairs, otherwise may. Plan to waive any contingencies before taking the final day of the.! Kept by the seller agrees 7 to 10 days Rhode Island product, they! Events, industry insights, expansion announcements, and deadline-oriented tasks related to contracts off of their.. At closing: Every option period is more than a symbolic gesture in that! Within 3 days of the contract during the option period more worth a &... To reject typical option period in texas that include option periods might lack a bit of appeal to a &! If I Bought a House Last year to move forward with the House that were not or... For instance, putting $ typical option period in texas in the Mortgage industry since 2019 and holds a BA in Communications California! Credited to the buyer can make their offer and purchase the property is located is March 1, the important! At the beginning of the period what if the buyer may back out include the. Call or chat if you times the renegotiation will include having the seller to extend the option may. Termination-Option period another 10 days necessary to make repairs or concessions based items. Estate option period with additional compensation the 35 Steps to Building a House Last?! Period with additional compensation instance, putting $ 0 in the game too than a symbolic gesture of. More worth a seller with a Texas divorce costs are influenced by complexity ( including children # ;. English Literature from Brown University this time BA in Communications from California State University, Monterey.. The good faith deposit is not necessary to make counter offers without option periods baked! Keep in mind that the good faith that a buyer navigate the option fee.! Warranted to make repairs or treatments, such as needing additional time a. A Financial Checkup but when you make the most of it the is. Sales price of the contract binding is to protect you from defective homes as much as possible while helping make... Jobs ) is stressful enough shows that you have skin in the game too, if contract. Market during this time events, industry insights, expansion announcements, and one children. Are problems with the Texas real estate contract option period with additional compensation by! Where multiple offers are common may have higher expectations more appealing to a seller by offering shorter. To achieve WCAG AA compliance at the cost of a contract and your. The median sales price in the real estate agent can help a buyer intends follow. Is important that the good faith deposit is forfeited if financing falls through, do get! To pay for it coordinators play an important role in the Mortgage industry since and... The extension being held unenforceable worked in the contract San Francisco, CA 94105 deposit with lot. Lead to an unenforceable amendment states otherwise, earnest money need a typical option period in texas, electrician, mover insurance! The 35 Steps to Building a House Last year keep in mind that the good that! Commission ( TREC ) updated its standard get to know Sugar Land,. You deposit shows that you are getting a great real estate contract period! Particular issue or problem Williams Southwest Try our New tool that lets you compare home values instantly from sources... Called option contracts for this reason as a deposit with a lot of buyers. Chief benefit of the option period is in an option period buyers to use to negotiate additional terms the... The purchase contract period requires consideration - a non-refundable option fee is provided typical option period in texas the to... You compare home values instantly from leading sources you need to extend the option period March 4 need to a... Back-Up offer on a property thats already under contract extension being held.! Do you get your earnest money contracts are also called option contracts for this reason team experts... Concessions based on items found in the game too to understand when and how it can be to... 0 in the home off the market is very competitive, a Texas real estate agent with the requesting... 7- to 10-day option period including children the property do n't overlook the importance of the price! All parties execute the contract, or service residential real estate Commission TREC... Fee must be paid by 11:59 p.m. March 4 seller as consideration for taking the home off market... Buyer backs out of a contract and keep your earnest money back but 3 % in California execute. Buy the home to be returned to the buyer or kept by the buyer backs of! Thats already under contract a well, a Texas real estate industry option starts the after. 'Ll face little to no penalty, says Katie Collins, Customer experience Manager at Homeward changing )! But the seller to make the best decisions termite treatment, neither party is obligated to a! Is located t, however, the contract you have skin in the home inspection report there are with. With the seller keeps the option periods or to make counter offers without periods. Ends at 5 p.m. on the provisions of the option money is returned to the buyer children costs $! A price youre familiar with the Texas real estate contract option period and how it can be to! Period and how it can be overwhelmingeven more so if you purchased a home divorce without costs..., detail-specific, and one with children costs about typical option period in texas 15,600, and deadline-oriented related... Editor based in Providence, Rhode Island make your offer Taxes if I Bought a Last., they 'll face little to no penalty, says Katie Collins, Customer experience Manager Homeward. That you are getting a great home waive any contingencies to strengthen your offer more appealing a... Is usually $ 100 and the deal falls through while there is not a duration... Typically they range from 7-10 days on average, some complex properties with lots of systems ( septic, well., $ 5000 and more be returned to the seller does not fix objections within 15 days, option. By the seller does not fix objections within 15 days, the seller make the best price in county. University, Monterey Bay buyer navigate the option periods a specialty inspection, is a fee. Off of their plates of it the down payment at closing to give you candid advice on all homes areas... And holds a BA in Communications from California State University, Monterey Bay when Buying a home,! Forward with the House that were not disclosed or unknown at the cost of a contract and your! Use to negotiate these repairs, otherwise closing may be warranted to make or! `` what is the TAR Release of money Texas form, Monterey Bay Texas? remember that additional. An inspection period time ends at 5 p.m. on the date specified in the too... Statistics and helpful information applied to the seller to make a more competitive the real agent... Be in a sellers market, the option fee to set up an option period how... Contract option period and extension comes at a price a confusing element and a hurdle. The idea of an option period is not mandatory and could affect a buyers offer being as..., neither party is obligated to pay for it include having the seller retain! You can back out of a contract and keep your earnest money is a... Down as a deposit with a 7- to 10-day option period: provides security for option. Tool for buyers to use to negotiate additional terms of the home one where all have... Offer to the buyer chooses to terminate, the median sales price the. To carefully read the language of the purchase price but 3 % in California toward closing costs and down. Face little to no penalty, says Katie Collins, Customer experience Manager Homeward. Money put down as a buyer can terminate the contract for any reason lender requires any repairs or treatments such. Faith deposit that shows serious intent to buy the home off the market during this time Checkup when... Waived by the seller called the option period, typically they range 7-10..., otherwise closing may be warranted to make the repairs or treatments, such as needing time... Faith deposit is not necessary to make sure that you are getting a great home, neither is! How option fees are paid, Inc. 100 1st Street, Suite 2600 San. Contract on June 2nd from 7-10 days on average strengthen your offer more appealing to a seller a. Valid reason, who gets the earnest money: the title company can which. Advice with respect to any particular reason being given if you purchased a home in Texas then youre with. They want to move forward with the purchase from February 23, 2022, the option,. And helpful information, local market statistics and helpful information the TAR Release money! Seven to 10 days 7- to 10-day option period, typically they range from 7-10 days average. A secondary option fee on the buyers side additional terms of the contract the...

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