I'm not a lawyer. 

@Carnell Webb If you are doing a deal off of the MLS and there is an agent representing the seller, I typically see an option fee of $100 for 7-10 days, and earnest money of 1% of purchase price.When you are dealing directly with a seller, you can negotiate pretty much whatever you want.

"REO Occupied - the seller does not represent or guarantee occupancy status.

In Southern California a 7% loan isn't uncommon, but other places the lowest you could get is 15%.As for being a private lender, you could work off of JVs or partnership agreements or that kind of thing, but the cost to do a real hard money loan on your own where there is a lien recorded and get a lawyer to work up all the documents and everything would be cost prohibitive for a few loans.... that's what I meant

For legal advice contact a local landlord-tenant lawyer near you.

Some names of companies maybe ones you represent ?  

I would suggest contacting a lawyer in your area

All that being said, the standard BiggerPockets.com mantra is that equity represents lost money and opportunity cost, there are plenty of voices that logically and coherently argue that side of the debate (who will be joining this thread shortly), so by all means weigh all options, figure out what works for you given your particular goals and risk tolerance, and there is no "one size fits all" solution. 

Does anyone know of a good lawyer in Raleigh that can help me take care of this?

I bet this was just a mistake on the sellers end, contact your lawyer and take the necessary steps to get your money back.