How much earnest money do I need to make an offer?

Earnest money is the good-faith deposit that signals your offer is serious. It's typically held in escrow by a title company or the listing broker and credited toward your down payment or closing costs at settlement. A range of 1% to 3% of the price is common in Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky, but it's a custom figure, not a requirement: different offers, markets, and contracts set different amounts. Neither Ohio nor Kentucky law sets the amount; the contract language does, along with the contingencies written into it. Buyers generally get the deposit back when a negotiated contingency, like inspection, financing, or appraisal, isn't satisfied as written, but the exact refund provisions are contract-specific, so review them with your agent and lender before signing.