I would imagine whoever has left it should be wondering where they have misplaced something that important

Write him back and ask him if he mis-placed a decimal.

It takes up your time, which is money.Now the risk part, you have to drive home/to the bank with the cash (more time wasted), you have to hope you don't lose it/misplace it. 

If number 2 does not answer to your satisfaction then tell them you will be calling their state real estate commission about what happened with your earnest money.If the REALTOR is holding your check or misplaced it they are not supposed to do that and it should be a real estate commission violation.

Someone putting down the exact same 20% Down Payment may Cash flow the Investment while another will not because of their low income and Credit Scores, causing the Interest Rates to Jump.Personally, I believe the emphasis on the Investment is misplaced.

Sometimes the post office does misplace or lose the mail - it happens.

The lady living there claimed someone posed as my mom and signed an agreement with her allowing her to live in the home, but she (conveniently) misplaced said contract.

Did you misplace a comma?

Servicing files do not get misplaced.

Usually when they make it on there , they are misplaced themselves ( i.e. vacant land, multi fam, etc) .