Response from Steve Hula on 9/20/2021

First I think it is terrible that Zillow allows anyone, past customer or not, to post reviews on the agent's profile page without determining if they were actually a previous client. (Shame on you Zillow). I doubt this is anyone I have worked with in the past since 99% of my clients are very happy buyers and sellers. BUT- If a buyer or seller needs an interpreter, please be sure you have one with you. Many buyers who end up losing an earnest money deposit are not happy about it. Most sellers base their decision to hold or release earnest money on what was agreed to in the real estate contract. Some buyers will spend 2 or 3 months working through the loan process, while continuing to shop around for something else they may like even better. The seller knows most other prospective buyers for their property will not look at the property if there is already an accepted contract from a pre-approved buyer on the table. There is also a very good chance we may loose 2 or three other pre-qualified buyers during this time period. Several contingencies are added to every real estate contract I write, explaining the various conditions that need to be met along the way as a way of protecting the buyer against lose of their earnest money. A buyer can get a complete refund of earnest money if the seller, buyer, or buyer's lender do not meet the contingencies listed. Many sellers will ask for 1% - 5% of the purchase price for the earnest money deposit if they accept an offer to purchase and agree to virtually take the property off the market during this time period. Why? Because the more earnest money, the more serious the buyer. If a buyer is not serious about buying a property or feels they might change their mind some where along the way, for no apparent reason, then I would suggest not putting up any earnest money. Don't risk it. But also realize most sellers will not accept that type of an offer. Ex: I am selling a farm priced at $1 Mil. One buyer wants to put up $2,000 earnest money. The other buyer wants to put up $50,000 earnest money. Both buyers have been pre-qualified by a lender. Which offer do you think the seller will take, based on the amount of earnest money offered?