Earnest money not refunded - First time home buyer, need advice

Earnest money not refunded - First time home buyer, need advice

Member since 2018 · 1 post · 0 votes

Hello All,

First time home buyer here. I ran a search and couldn't find anything in greater detail about earnest money refunds.

My current situation:

I am in cancelling a home purchase due to all items on the amendment purchase agreement not being met. The sellers and their agent will not refund me my earnest money. In the amendment and in this exact wording we requested "Buyers requests that all work be done by licensed professional/reputable company and copies of all work-orders/receipts for repairs" and "All repairs should be completed on or before 7/16/2018" . In short, a radon system needed to be installed, electrical work and garage structural work.

We asked for receipts on 7/16/2018. The seller's agent advised we did not make it clear on the amendment that they needed to provide receipts during this time and that only all work/repairs would be made on or before this time. They managed to provide two receipts electronically after two hours upon our immediate request. The two images below are the Radon and Electrical receipts. I am skeptical about the legitimacy of the electrical receipt (no invoice number, comments section asks checks to include invoice number which does not exist on the receipt). Garage work was performed although no receipt was provided therefore I cannot validate if the work was performed by a licensed professional.

Does the sellers agent make a valid case in keeping my earnest money? My agent and broker is not assisting me in trying to recover my earnest money. Any thoughts and comments about my next steps are greatly appreciated. 

Thank You.

Radon Receipt

Electrical Receipt

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  • Real Estate Professional · West Palm Beach, FL · Member since 2012 · 23k+ posts · 13k+ votes
    8y
    I can’t read your receipts in my phone. Your intent was to have Proper repairs done, which I understand. Just hire a home inspector/contractor to look at them would be the simplest solution.
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