No…at least not in these parts. I just purchased a home that was (I thought) for sale by owner. I submitted an offer with zero earnest money and the next day an agent calls and asks for $5,000 earnest money! I simply said no and the agent got the seller to sign off on it. I lucked out because usually if a home is listed the seller’s agent will insist on earnest money (that’s part of their job). In fact you may not even get your offer presented without it. But you’ll have a lot better luck with FSBOS. Often you’ll be dealing with a seller who doesen’t even think to ask for earnest money. If you don’t bring it up, and it’s nowhere in your contract, chances are pretty good you won’t have to pay it.