Special offer
Corinne Guest, Barrington Lifestyles (Corinne Guest, REALTOR® | Barrington Realty Company)

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Rainmaker
1,844,291
Lyn Sims
Schaumburg, IL
Real Estate Broker Retired

FedX

Jun 21, 2016 08:21 AM
Rainer
225,526
Bob Betel
Allstar Home Mortgage, Inc. - Sweetwater, TN
President, Allstar Home Mortgage, Inc

The buyers agent needs to deliver the check. Have a messenger service deliver it, mail it, or deliver it in person. The question here is, how far will you drive to get a sale?

Jun 21, 2016 06:57 AM
Rainmaker
1,725,996
Sandy Padula & Norm Padula, JD, GRI
HomeSmart Realty West & Florida Realty Investments - , CA
Presence, Persistence & Perseverance

We never touch the earnest money. It is always wired to the title/closing company.

Jun 21, 2016 06:42 AM
Rainer
212,500
Kristen Correa, Broker
Kristen Correa Real Estate & Reedy Creek Realty Services - Keller, TX
I love coffee & real estate. I am out of coffee!

Hi Corinne, it honestly depends on my schedule.

But buyer agent delivering it and mail are not the only two options.

(Tangent: It is not a sellers or sellers agent's responsibility to "come get" a contract, EM, or anything related; but, it is the buyers job or buyer's agent's job to make their offer and make it in it's entirety, IMO, including all parts of the contract required by the contract.)

Have you called a courier? It's not expensive here at all, I use RoadRunner. There is also an app called Favor. Hope one of those ideas helps!

Jun 21, 2016 06:40 AM
Rainmaker
1,513,143
Raymond E. Camp
Ontario, NY

Next day delivery by UPS, FedX etc.

Meet Noah Seidenberg or Wayne Martin half way for lunch and have them rop it off on the way back; if you have one going to a deserted island I'll do it.

Jun 21, 2016 10:27 PM
Rainmaker
989,652
Jennifer Mackay
Counts Real Estate Group, Inc. - Panama City, FL
Your Bay County Florida Realtor 850.774.6582

FedX, Direct Deposit, Bank wire - lots of options here

Jun 21, 2016 09:21 PM
Rainmaker
2,220,323
Anthony Acosta - ALLATLANTAcondos.com
Harry Norman, REALTORS® - Atlanta, GA
Associate Broker

In my area, the buyer's brokerage usually holds the EM.

Jun 21, 2016 03:01 PM
Ambassador
3,727,873
Patricia Kennedy
RLAH@Properties - Washington, DC
Home in the Capital

I take the check next door to my favorite title company.

Jun 21, 2016 02:38 PM
Ambassador
1,452,819
Susan Emo
Sotheby's International Realty Canada - Brokerage - Kingston, ON
Kingston and the 1000 Islands Area

We have an option to address this in our offers.  The Depost (or EM) will be provided:

  1. Upon Acceptance of the Offer   or

  2. we can specify within a certain time period ie 48 hours 

A courier would be the next best thing in my opinon.

 

Jun 21, 2016 01:06 PM
Rainmaker
1,712,676
Joe Pryor
The Virtual Real Estate Team - Oklahoma City, OK
REALTOR® - Oklahoma Investment Properties

As far as the bank will wire it.

Jun 21, 2016 12:34 PM
Rainmaker
4,882,355
Richard Weeks
Dallas, TX
REALTOR®, Broker

Buyer agent should deliver.  Do you not have access to a smart phone app to process this type of situation?

Jun 21, 2016 07:47 AM
Ambassador
5,049,058
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

I never touch earnest money! It goes direct from the buyer, typically via wire, to the escrow comapny. Contract says this is to be within 3 business days, unless otherwise negotiated

Jun 21, 2016 07:47 AM
Rainmaker
5,583,278
Barbara Todaro
RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired - Franklin, MA
Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

the buyer's agent better get her butt to ME with that check if they want a signed agreement....the agreement states that there is a check with the offer to purchase.... I better have that check or the offer is not going to be signed....

Jun 21, 2016 06:47 AM
Rainmaker
2,781,173
Richie Alan Naggar
people first...then business Ran Right Realty - Riverside, CA
agent & author

Depends on personal factors. I like getting things done & combining it with other things needing done.

Jun 21, 2016 06:39 AM
Rainer
19,291
Jackie Mazurowski
CENTURY 21 Myers Realty - Auburndale, FL
Polk County Gold Realtors

Don't handle money/checks or etc.  Make that part of the buyers job.

Jun 22, 2016 12:17 AM
Rainmaker
5,104,931
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Realtor

It's the buyer's em, so I would say it's up to the buyer and/or buyer's agent to deliver the money. By the same token, as a buyer's agent my firm can hold money in their escrow account so why would I need to deliver more than a photocopy of the check to the listing agent. Then, there's always priority mail/fedex. Yesterday I delivered earnest money from a buyer who's based in Korea... by wire transfer. Just sat at my computer and waited for his wire confirmation to come throught and sent it on to all appropriate parties... easy, peasy.

Jun 21, 2016 10:34 PM
Rainmaker
5,216,398
Wayne Martin
Wayne M Martin - Chicago, IL
Real Estate Broker - Retired

Wire transfer to the escrow agent is the best practice.

Jun 21, 2016 10:13 PM
Rainmaker
7,836,134
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

Use a delivery service.

Jun 21, 2016 09:41 PM
Rainmaker
634,482
Kathleen Luiten
Resort and Second-Home Specialist - Princeville, HI
Kauai Luxury Ocean Home Sales

FedEx.

Jun 21, 2016 06:54 PM
Rainmaker
4,319,419
Praful Thakkar
LAER Realty Partners - Andover, MA
Andover, MA: Andover Luxury Homes For Sale

Corinne Guest, Managing Broker - I have done more than 60 miles in past. However, I prefer to overnight it now-a-days....

And it should be buyer's agent's responsibility.

Though do not understand what's the rush? (No time to mail, you mentioned.)

Jun 21, 2016 03:58 PM
Ambassador
3,164,294
Tammy Lankford,
Lane Realty Eatonton, GA Lake Sinclair, Milledgeville, 706-485-9668 - Eatonton, GA
Broker GA Lake Sinclair/Eatonton/Milledgeville

it should be spelled out in the contract.   In my market it's customary for buyer's agent firm to hold funds in trust account.  

Jun 21, 2016 02:44 PM
Rainmaker
1,683,912
Larry Johnston
Broker, Friends & Neighbors Real Estate and Elkhart County Subdivisions, LLC - Elkhart, IN
Broker,Friends & Neighbors Real Estate, Elkhart,IN

I think the Buyers agent should deliver.

Jun 21, 2016 02:07 PM
Rainmaker
2,224,473
Debbie Laity
Cedaredge Land Company - Cedaredge, CO
Your Real Estate Resource for Delta County, CO

I will travel miles. This is an extremely rural area.  

Jun 21, 2016 12:49 PM
Rainmaker
1,157,785
FN LN
Toronto, ON

We don't use earnest money in my jurisdiction.

Jun 21, 2016 12:28 PM
Ambassador
734,952
John DL Arendsen
CREST "BACKYARD' HOMES, ON THE LEVEL General & Manufactured Home Contractor, TAG Real Estate Sales & Investments - Leucadia, CA
Crest Backyard Homes "ADU" dealer & RE Developer

Given your geographics I'd charge hazzardous duty and combat pay plus the cost of calling on Uber for their bullet proof tank treaded limos. Just sayin..................................There are limits.

Jun 21, 2016 11:32 AM
Rainmaker
3,416,038
Scott Godzyk
Godzyk Real Estate Services - Manchester, NH
One of the Manchester NH's area Leading Agents

No time for mail equals "wire it"

Jun 21, 2016 10:49 AM
Rainmaker
1,231,853
Mary Yonkers
Alan Kells School of Real Estate/Howard Hanna Real Estate - Erie, PA
Erie/PA Real Estate Instructor

Corinne Guest, Managing Broker Agree that four hours is more than a bit far.  Like you I would Fed Ex or mail check if wire is not an option.

Jun 21, 2016 10:23 AM
Rainmaker
1,209,215
Amanda Christiansen
Christiansen Group Realty (260)704-0843 - Fort Wayne, IN
Christiansen Group Realty

I'll deliver it to my office's mailbox.  

Jun 21, 2016 10:06 AM
Rainer
150,416
Michael Thacker - Re/Max Real Estate Center - Louisville
Re/Max Real Estate Center - The Thacker Group - Louisville, KY
Your best friend who just happens to be a Realtor

We traditionally hold in our own offices when we represent the buyers. Wasn't like that in the 80's when I first started in RE, but love that its that way now!

Jun 21, 2016 09:54 AM
Ambassador
2,684,009
Fred Griffin Florida Real Estate
Fred Griffin Real Estate - Tallahassee, FL
Licensed Florida Real Estate Broker

Very few Brokers in Florida maintain escrow accounts.  We deliver it immediately to the Title Attorney or Title Company.   If it's far away, Wire it or Fedex it.

BTW, if you don't know the Title Company, just pick one.  In our area, the Title companies are very accomodating if we say, "We have changed to another Title Company, can you please transfer the funds to them?"

Jun 21, 2016 09:37 AM
Rainmaker
1,502,998
Ryan Huggins - Thousand Oaks, CA
https://HugginsHomes.com - Thousand Oaks, CA
Residential Real Estate and Investment Properties

EMD is wired by default out here.  It's actually pre-printed into the purchase agreement.  I won't touch the EMD.

Jun 22, 2016 09:51 AM
Rainmaker
4,572,117
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

The method of delivery for earnest money is a part of our purchase agreement and via wire is the most common way in our market.  That said, yesterday I dropped off a check at an escrow office not too far away.

 

Jun 22, 2016 01:25 AM
Rainmaker
4,936,605
Will Hamm
Hamm Homes - Aurora, CO
"Where There's a Will, There's a Way!"

Lucky, most titlew companies are taking them now and in our city there are lots of offices close by, so maybe 20 mins max

 

Jun 22, 2016 12:36 AM
Rainmaker
1,617,916
Harry F. D'Elia III
WEDO Real Estate and Beyond, LLC - Phoenix, AZ
Investor , Mentor, GRI, Radio, CIPS, REOs, ABR

That is an easy answer. The title person will arrange this for me.

Jun 21, 2016 11:33 PM
Rainmaker
3,071,489
Tony and Suzanne Marriott, Associate Brokers
Serving the Greater Phoenix and Scottsdale Metropolitan Area - Scottsdale, AZ
Haven Express @ Keller Williams Arizona Realty

Here would be between Title Company and Buyer - wire transfer?

Jun 21, 2016 10:46 PM
Rainmaker
2,182,502
Michael J. Perry
KW Elite - Lancaster, PA
Lancaster, PA Relo Specialist

I always state (in the contract) that the $$$ will be paid w/in 3-5 days of  Seller's acceptence. 

Jun 21, 2016 09:49 PM
Rainmaker
3,986,258
William Feela
WHISPERING PINES REALTY - North Branch, MN
Realtor, Whispering Pines Realty 651-674-5999 No.

It is JP to the buyers agent to get the check to the listing agent...I will drive as far as neccesary to get the PA tied up for.my client

Jun 21, 2016 12:21 PM
Ambassador
6,393,179
Bob Crane
Woodland Management Service / Woodland Real Estate, KW Diversified - Stevens Point, WI
Forestland Experts! 715-204-9671

One of those things that I would delegate.

Jun 21, 2016 10:42 AM
Rainmaker
3,988,007
Debbie Reynolds, C21 Platinum Properties
Platinum Properties- (931)771-9070 - Clarksville, TN
The Dedicated Clarksville TN Realtor-(931)320-6730

I will drive an hour if I have the time in my day. Otherwise I mail it.

Jun 21, 2016 08:46 AM
Rainmaker
1,466,207
Michael Setunsky
Woodbridge, VA
Your Commercial Real Estate Link to Northern VA

Corinne Guest, Managing Broker It is customary to include a copy of the EMD with the offer. Once the offer is ratified, the buyers agent delivers it to the listing agent for depositing into escrow. EMD is required under to law to be deposited with five business days of ratification.

Jun 21, 2016 07:13 AM
Rainmaker
4,434,127
Gita Bantwal
RE/MAX Centre Realtors - Warwick, PA
REALTOR,ABR,CRS,SRES,GRI - Bucks County & Philadel

I usually meet agents half way to make it easy for them. Most often I request them to overnight it.

Jun 21, 2016 06:41 AM