Under Florida real estate law, earnest money deposits may be retained by the seller in all of the following situations EXCEPT when:
Correct Answer
C) The buyer exercises a valid contingency right
When a buyer exercises a valid contingency right (such as inspection, financing, or appraisal contingencies), they are entitled to return of their earnest money because they are not breaching the contract. A is incorrect because unjustified breach allows earnest money retention. B is incorrect because valid liquidated damages clauses typically allow retention of earnest money. D is incorrect because financing default due to buyer's fault (not lender denial) constitutes breach allowing retention.
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Related Topics & Key Terms
Key Terms:
Related Concepts
An appraisal contingency allows the buyer to cancel or renegotiate the contract if the property's appraised value comes in lower than the agreed-upon purchase price. This contingency protects buyers from overpaying.
An assignment of contract transfers one party's rights and obligations under a contract to a third party called the assignee. The original party, known as the assignor, transfers their contractual position to someone who was not originally part of the agreement.
A bilateral contract is an agreement in which both parties exchange promises and are both obligated to perform, while a unilateral contract is one in which only one party makes a promise and the other party is not obligated to act.
More Real Estate Contracts Questions
A buyer and seller in Florida agree to a purchase price of $300,000 with the buyer assuming the seller's existing mortgage. The contract must include which specific disclosure?
All of the following are required elements of a valid Florida real estate purchase contract EXCEPT:
A seller accepts a buyer's offer on their Florida home but dies before closing. The seller's estate representative wants to cancel the contract. What is the legal status?
The FAR/BAR residential contract requires earnest money held by:
In Florida, the inspection period is typically:
- → A buyer signs a Florida purchase contract for a condo and learns during the inspection period about a special assessment of $10,000. The seller knew but didn't disclose this. What are the buyer's rights?
- → A buyer and seller in Florida agree to extend the closing date by 10 days. The original contract had a 'time is of the essence' clause. What must they do to make this extension valid?
- → In Florida real estate contracts, what legal principle requires that both parties exchange something of value?
- → A Florida real estate licensee prepares a purchase agreement that includes a financing contingency. The buyer fails to apply for financing within the specified timeframe. What is the legal consequence under Florida contract law?
- → Under Florida law, all of the following would typically survive the closing of a real estate purchase agreement EXCEPT:
- → A Florida purchase contract includes an appraisal contingency stating the property must appraise for at least the purchase price of $350,000. The appraisal comes in at $340,000. What options does the buyer have?
- → A Florida real estate purchase contract includes a financing contingency requiring loan approval within 30 days. On day 28, the buyer hasn't received approval but hasn't notified the seller. What is the buyer's status?
- → In a Florida real estate transaction, the purchase agreement includes a mortgage contingency clause. The buyer receives a loan commitment letter with an interest rate 0.5% higher than specified in the contract. What are the buyer's rights?
- → A Florida real estate broker prepares a purchase agreement that incorrectly states the lot size as 15,000 sq ft when it's actually 12,000 sq ft. The error is discovered after contract execution but before closing. What is the buyer's most likely remedy?
- → A buyer in Fort Lauderdale breaches a residential purchase contract by refusing to close without legal justification. The contract contains a liquidated damages clause equal to the earnest money deposit of $5,000. What is the seller's most likely remedy?
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