Will I lose my deposit if I am denied a mortgage?

Asked by: Wanda Jacobson  |  Last update: January 16, 2026
Score: 4.4/5 (16 votes)

Can My Security Deposit Be Returned If My Mortgage Is Denied At Closing? If you have a contingency in place that includes an offer and purchase contract, you may be able to get your earnest money back. However, if you don't have it, you could lose it.

Do you get earnest money back if mortgage is denied?

If your transaction is contingent on financing, and your loan application has been rejected and you have properly informed the builder about the denial and requested for your earnest money deposit, the builder MUST refund your earnest money deposit. The builder cannot refer you to other lenders with unfavorable terms.

Will I get my down payment back if my loan is denied?

In most cases, if your loan is denied and you do not take possession of the vehicle, you should receive your down payment back. Here's why. No Contractual Obligation: Because the loan fell through, you most likely have not signed a final sales con...

What happens if you are denied a mortgage?

You could still be eligible for a mortgage even if you were denied. But you'll need to explore other loan programs that may be a better fit for you financially. Inquire with the loan officer to learn more about alternative mortgages, such as FHA loans or USDA loans, that may be available to you.

Do you lose earnest money if you don't get approved?

While it's extremely unlikely for you to lose your earnest money, prolonged delays and problems caused by the bureaucracy of a big national bank can in rare cases cause you to be in breech of contract, and therefore in a position to lose your earnest money or even get sued.

Home Loan DENIED? Here's What To Do!

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Do you lose earnest money if loan falls through?

Once again, if you have a contingency in place that covers a loan falling through, you should get your earnest money back. But if the contingency isn't there, you'll lose that money.

What happens if a buyer can't get a mortgage?

A mortgage contingency is a clause written into real estate transactions that gives home buyers a set time frame to secure a mortgage loan for a home. If they can't secure the loan, the buyer can walk away without legal repercussions and get their earnest money deposit back.

Can I get a mortgage after being declined?

Using a mortgage broker could help if you've been declined

If you've been turned down by a specific provider, using a mortgage broker could help. They're independent advisers who can look at a range of mortgages from different lenders, and could find you a provider who will accept your application.

Can a mortgage denial be reversed?

If your mortgage is denied, start by getting in touch with the lender to determine if there's a possibility of a reversal in the decision. If not, contact a different mortgage provider and look at the options it has to offer.

How likely is it to be denied a mortgage after pre-approval?

Simply, if you're preapproved for a mortgage there is still a possibility you could be denied after. In fact, approximately 5,741 VA loans were preapproved but not accepted according to 2022 HMDA data. Let's explore more about what it means to be preapproved for a home loan and why you could be denied after.

Can I apply for a loan again after being denied?

That's why it's a good idea to wait at least 30 days before you apply again. However, if you don't need the funds urgently, experts recommend waiting at least six months. It's also important to ask the lender why your loan was rejected before you submit another application.

Do down payments get refunded?

A down payment is an initial non-refundable payment that is paid upfront for purchasing a high-priced item – such as a car or a house – and the remaining payment is paid by obtaining a loan from a bank or financial institution.

What is an earnest money deposit?

Earnest money is a deposit made early in the process to show good faith and commitment to the purchase, while a down payment is a larger payment made at closing that reduces the amount of the mortgage loan needed to purchase the property.

What happens if you don't have enough for earnest money?

“Not having any earnest money in place is a liability to the seller as the buyer has no skin in the game. This means they can walk away from the contract at any time, leaving the seller in a troublesome spot.”

Who keeps earnest money after closing?

This “down payment” is called the Earnest Money, and the person holding it on the buyer's behalf is called the Escrow Agent. Typically these funds are held by the Escrow Agent until closing when they are paid over to the seller and credited to the buyer towards the purchase price for the home.

How often do buyers back out at closing?

3.9% of real estate sales fail after the contract is signed.

There's nothing more frustrating than having a buyer back out at the last second. Even if you're lucky and the house sells quickly and above the asking price after a heated bidding war, many things can go wrong that cause a deal to fall through.

Why do people get denied mortgages?

A common reason a home loan might be denied is when a negative item on your credit sinks your score below a required benchmark. That's important because a lower credit score can affect the interest rate you're offered, which in turn can affect how affordable your monthly mortgage payment will be.

Can you be denied on closing day?

To begin with, yes. Many lenders hire external companies to double-check income, debts, and assets before signing closing documents. If you have significant changes in your credit, income, or funds needed for closing, you may be denied the loan.

Can a pre-approved loan be denied?

If you apply for a pre-approved offer you'll usually be successful, but it's not guaranteed as the lender always has the final say. There are a few different reasons why your pre-approved offer may be rejected: Delay completing your application (as your circumstances may have changed in the meantime)

Does being denied a mortgage hurt credit?

No, denied credit applications won't appear on your credit report. Lenders don't report whether your applications were approved or denied because even approved applications don't necessarily result in a new account.

Can a mortgage fall through after signing?

Even after you've agreed to a price and signed a contract, it's possible for a home sale to fall apart. Data from the National Association of Realtors shows that 5 percent of contracts were terminated in the final quarter of 2022, and 15 percent were delayed.

How long to wait after mortgage denial?

There's no fixed timeframe following a mortgage denial. Nevertheless, it's advisable to consider a brief waiting period. This is because mortgage applications often entail a credit check, which has the potential to slightly decrease your credit score.

What would make you not qualify for a mortgage?

High debt-to-income (DTI)

Before approving you for a mortgage, lenders review your monthly income in relation to your monthly debt, or your debt-to-income (DTI). A good rule of thumb: your mortgage payment should not be more than 28% of your monthly gross income. Similarly, your DTI should not be more than 36%.

Do you get your earnest money back if your offer is rejected?

Denial of a Loan

If a purchase agreement includes a loan financing contingency, and a buyer is denied a loan, they can back out of the transaction and get their earnest money deposit refunded.

What happens if the buyer don't have enough money at closing?

If the buyer absolutely cannot come up with the cash to close, they may lose their deposit and the seller can put the home back on the market. Having insufficient funds at closing could cause the buyer to default on the purchase agreement.