Seller wants $10K deposit. Why so high, I wonder

[Ronald H.]

Have a seller, who will accept my offer. My offer is at his price, which like most seller's is going to end up too high. The ARV being used by the seller is going to be high.

He asked for EMD. I said will $500.00 be enough? He responded to me with an email requesting $10K. Of course my offer would be based upon an Inspection Contingency,

10K is 4 % of  what he wants. He wants me to write it out to his lawyer. 

If I give it to him, I can tie the property up, but I think 10K is unreasonable a bit.

What are most of you giving for EMD's ?

[Steve L.]

Why don't you do your due diligence upfront and submit a firm offer after that?  

Sellers can detect weakness (your post is full of it) and when things sound weak they request you to "show strength" so you can put up or shut up.  

If you are planning to negotiate him after the fact, I would look for a different Seller.  If you can make money at this deal buy it and put the 10k deposit in and make some money.