Is earnest money the same as a down payment?

Earnest money and a down payment are not the same thing, even though both involve cash tied to a purchase. Earnest money is a deposit paid shortly after an offer is accepted to show good faith, held in escrow and later credited toward the down payment or closing costs at closing. The down payment itself is the larger amount paid at closing to reduce how much is financed. Brian Beatty explains both amounts clearly before a buyer writes an offer.