Lost my $5000 deposit in a deal gone bad. What can I do?

[Kwaku Agyeman]

Hi everyone, 

I am looking for advice on a deal that fell out of contract. I had an agent who gave me not so great direction in the deal, and lost the earnest money. He hasn't contacted me since. What recourse may I persue? Thanks guys.

[Neil Goradia]

If you gave the money directly to the other party, you can sue them in court if you can determine where they live. Usually it's less than $100 to sue them and you'll have a decent shot at getting it back if they appear in court. If they don't appear you can have a debt collection company put a judgement on their credit. They will eventually contact you if they want it off their credit.