← Back to Blog
Homebuying 101

Earnest Money 101: How Much, Where It Goes, When You Get It Back

A plain-English guide to the deposit you wire on day one of escrow -- what's typical in California, and the situations where you can (and can't) get it back.

PN
Priya Nair
Licensed Transaction Coordinator, Clearhouse
·September 11, 2026

This post is on its way.

Check back soon -- we're still writing it.

Escrow
First-Time Buyers
California

More from the blog

Homebuying 101

The Escrow Timeline, Explained

What your escrow officer, lender, and agent are actually doing during those thirty days -- and the four moments you'll need to show up.

September 18, 2026
Financing

What a Loan Contingency Actually Protects You From

The difference between pre-approval and final underwriting, and why the loan contingency is the one deadline first-time buyers underestimate most.

August 28, 2026
Selling

How to Choose a Listing Agent in a Flat Market

Pricing strategy, days-on-market tolerance, and negotiation style matter more than a big name when buyers have the upper hand.

August 19, 2026