06/15/2026
Hand money might be the most Pittsburgh phrase in real estate, and most people writing the check have no idea where that money actually goes.
Here's the whole thing, plainly.
Hand money is just Pittsburgh's word for earnest money. It's the good-faith deposit you put down when you make an offer, to show the seller you're serious and won't walk for no reason. Everywhere else it's called earnest money. Here, it's hand money. Same thing.
Where it goes matters more than people realize. It does not go to the seller. In Pennsylvania it goes into a trust account held by a neutral party named in your contract, usually the listing broker or a title company, and it sits there until closing. State rules require that account to be kept separate from the broker's own money.
How much? Around Pittsburgh it's commonly 1 to 3% of the price, though it's negotiable and your contract sets the number. On a $300,000 house, think $3,000 to $9,000.
At closing it's credited toward what you owe, your down payment and closing costs. You're not paying it twice.
Now the part that actually matters. Back out for no good reason and the seller can keep it as damages. Back out under a contingency in your contract, like inspection or financing, follow the deadlines, and you typically get it back. And if the two sides fight over it, the holder can't pick a side. It stays frozen until both sign off or a judge decides.
One warning worth thousands: this deposit is a favorite target for wire fraud. Always confirm wiring instructions by calling a known number, never one from an email.
I'm Tim Pettigrew, a Pittsburgh Realtor, and this whole series is for the stuff the industry assumes you already know. Save this for when you're house hunting š Follow for the rest, or DM me if you're buying around Pittsburgh and want a straight answer on your own deal.
