Walking away just days before closing.

[Brian Knox]

Main question: Might I be able to get my $1000 earnest money back?

With about a week to go before closing on a house, the outdoor AC unit was stolen. Sad thing is, this was the NEW unit and NEW theft-prevention cage that the seller had installed because the prior unit was stolen as well.

While we the seller and I had made it amicably through all of the inspection and repair processes, this recent additional theft of the AC unit has made me want to back away.

Now - in what is very frustrating and heartbreaking - the seller is refusing to sign the "release from contract" form, refusing to allow the return of my earnest money, and is also asking that I compensate him $500 for the AC cage. This hurts because it's additional to the $1000 out-of-pocket money that I have already put into the house (inspection, termite letter, appraisal, title work, etc).

Please help me know if I can possibly recover my $1000 earnest money. Honestly, the house is different now in that it lacks an AC unit.

With gratitude,

Brian