But keep in mind if your using money you cant afford to get back then buying action property might not be appropriate for your current endeavors and its better to just buy open market were you can do proper due diligence and know you have a build-able site.

@Emily Mohr We use a form called Notice of Adverse Action.

BUTTTT there is sooooo mcuh garbage out there that you'll have to sift through to find the gold and then you have to learn it, put it in proper order, THENNNN take action. 

The most important step is to keep going and take action.

Learn learn learn and always take action

I'm not too hung up on this, because the margins still appear very attractive (from what the agent speculated ARV). my hesitancy stems from a lack of experience and direct steps/plan of action to take on a property I like. 

Excluding the periods of “tulip bulb” irrational exuberance, a property must produce enough of a risk adjusted return to satisfy both the ROI demands of the “limited partners”, and the income/time requirements of the sponsor.  

(B) A purchase agreement may provide that in the event of a dispute regarding the disbursement of the earnest money, the broker will return the money to the purchaser without notice to the parties unless, within two years from the date the earnest money was deposited in the broker's trust or special account, the broker has received one of the following:(1) Written instructions signed by both parties specifying how the money is to be disbursed;(2) Written notice that a court action to resolve the dispute has been filed.

What legal actions are recommended here?

I'm finding that this strategy is helping people, building repour with people, and continuing to keep business moving forward while some say it's hard and sit on the sideline to wait until there is mass movement.Appreciate your time and reply and good to hear that you're experiencing some similar action a couple hours' drive away.