Your downpayment example was fairly typical of RE agents....and granted $5000 on a $250000 sale does not sound like much but it is not necessary to provide so much simply to present a contract. The larger amount does make the RE agents job a little easier but it also shows a seller your committment to buy the house.
I the number of houses I have tried to buy, I never gave more than $1000 with the contract....made out to the RE company (NOT AGENT or NOT to the seller) who supposidly puts it in escrow. For the RE agency to release this money they need a sign off by all parties involved.
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