Wire earnest money before contract is executed

[Andrew Jacobson]

I had an offer "accepted." It is an REO that went into multiple offers and they have accepted my offer. The listing agent asked me to sign their contract documents, which is fine. They have asked me to submit the contract with receipt of deposited earnest money at which point they will have the sellers sign and send me the executed contract?

Anyone heard of sending earnest money before receiving an executed contract?