Failure to release earnest money form texas real estate

Disputes over earnest money usually arise when either buyer or seller perceive the other to be at fault for failing to close. The parties can be emotional, unreasonable, and determined to stand on principle, all common shortcomings in persons who are unacquainted with the costs and burdens of litigation.

Problems and the potential for litigation arise when an aggrieved party refuses to do what the contract says. This article does not address what occurs when earnest money is not deposited at all, except to observe that this constitutes a breach of the contract a default by the buyer.

It does not, as some believe, cause the contract to fail altogether. A common area of dispute is failure by the buyer to obtain financing.

Earnest Money | Legal FAQs for REALTORS® | For Texas REALTORS® | Texas Association of REALTORS

Note that the TREC Third-Party Financing Addendum contains a blank for a specific time during which the buyer must notify the seller of his inability to obtain financing. If this notice is not timely given, the contingency is waived.

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Buyers often miss this detail and insist on their continuing right to get their earnest money back if their loan application is denied, even after the specified time has run. Whatever the cause of the dispute, paragraphs C through E address the procedure for release of earnest money:.

Earnest Money | Legal FAQs for REALTORS® | For Texas REALTORS® | Texas Association of REALTORS

The contract is clear. Upon failure of the contract for any reason, the party desiring the earnest money must make written demand upon the title company. A copy of the demand should be sent to the other party.

The written demand triggers a day window during which the other party may make written objection to the title company. Phone calls, almost always legally insufficient in real estate for notice purposes, will not meet the requirements of the contract. Email or fax would be sufficient, but certified mail to both the title company and the other party is best, particularly if litigation is a possibility.

There is nothing like being able to show a signed green card in court in order to prove notice. The language of the contract is vague about which demand—demand from the party desiring the earnest money versus demand from the title company—triggers the and 7-day periods, but it is prudent to be conservative and assume that these periods begin when the first party makes written demand. The title company will follow up with a notice of its own that written demand has been made and enclosing a release form for signature.

It must be signed by all parties and their brokers.

Fifteen days are allowed for written objections to be made. What happens next depends on whether or not the remedy of mediation was checked in paragraph If it was, mediation must precede the filing of litigation to recover earnest money. Filing suit prior to mediation will likely result in the court abating the case putting it on hold until the mediation requirement is fulfilled.

If total damages exceed that amount, then suit may be filed in the County Court at Law. Named defendants should include the party refusing to sign the release and the title company holding the earnest money. Information in this article is proved for general informational and educational purposes only and is not offered as legal advice upon which anyone may rely.

Legal counsel relating to your individual needs and circumstances is advisable before taking any action that has legal consequences.

Consult your tax advisor as well. This firm does not represent you unless and until it is expressly retained in writing to do so. Willis is board certified in both residential and commercial real estate law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. More information is available at his website, LoneStarLandLaw. Print Article DAVID J.

All rights reserved worldwide. Introduction Disputes over earnest money usually arise when either buyer or seller perceive the other to be at fault for failing to close.

Buyer Withdrawal Because of Failure to Obtain Financing A common area of dispute is failure by the buyer to obtain financing. Contract Provisions Relating to Release of Earnest Money Whatever the cause of the dispute, paragraphs C through E address the procedure for release of earnest money: Upon termination of this contract, either party or the escrow agent may send a release of earnest money to each party and the parties shall execute counterparts of the release and deliver same to the escrow agent.

Earnest money not forfeited on failure of real estate contract - Roger McEowen, May

If either party fails to execute the release, either party may make a written demand to the escrow agent for the earnest money. If only one party makes written demand for the earnest money, escrow agent shall promptly provide a copy of the demand to the other party. If escrow agent does not receive written objection to the demand from the other party within 15 days, escrow agent may disburse the earnest money to the party making demand reduced by the amount of unpaid expenses incurred on behalf of the party receiving the earnest money and escrow agent may pay the same to the creditors.

If escrow agent complies with the provisions of this paragraph, each party hereby releases escrow agent from all adverse claims related to the disbursal of the earnest money. Any party who wrongfully fails or refuses to sign a release acceptable to the escrow agent within 7 days of receipt of the request will be liable to the other party for liquidated damages in an amount equal to the sum of: Escrow agent's notices will be effective when sent in compliance with Paragraph Notice of objection to the demand will be deemed effective upon receipt by escrow agent.