Earnest Money in Different Parts of the Country

[Anna Buffkin]

I've seen a couple of posts on earnest money lately and was curious as to what is normal in different parts of the country.

I live in South Carolina and purchase sub30 condos and $100k single family homes. I usually put down $500- $1000 in earnest money (one was just a handshake on a FSBO condo) and only after the contract has been signed by all parties.

I saw a post about putting up thousands to tens of thousands of dollars in earnest.  I wasn't sure if it was a much more expensive property or common practice in other parts of the country.  Just curious.