In article .com, writes:
"But I wouldn't even worry about the escrow money. I didn't. Just put
your house back on the market, and don't return any more calls from
those loser buyers. "

It may not be that simple. It sounds like the bogus buyers are still
unwilling to agree to cancel the contract, even if they get their
deposit back. She's also using a realtor, who she presumably also has
a listing contract with, that further complicates the situation. So,
its a real mess. Until the first buyer acknowledges that the contract
is terminated and the realtor returns the deposit, it's doubtful the
realtor is going to get involved in trying to sell it to another party.

Yep the only reason it turned into such a mess is because the buyer and
their agent refused to admit that they'd defaulted.

If it were me, I'd have my lawyer send the buyer a letter telling them
they have X days to close, otherwise they will be in default on the
contract. And tell them that if they either close or agree to cancel
the contract by date X, they get their deposit back. After that date,
you intend to keep the deposit.

We did that two weeks ago, the letter that I mentioned in my OP. It
stated that as of that Tuesday if we hadn't closed, the deal was over and we
wanted the deposit. They refused to sign the contract release admitting it was
defaulted and giving me the deposit, and they continued to pursue a mortgage.
Absolutely pig-headed. The house went back on the market that next day
but we haven't had any action on it yet.
I learned this week that when they said they "found a new financial
backer on the west coast" really meant that the old mortgage company threw up
their hands and refused to give them a mortgage so they went elsewher and
found a new mortgage company. A couple of days ago my agent called their new
mortgage officer to ask what was going on. The officer was like "and I'm
talking to YOU... why?" My agent was diplomatic and didn't say she wanted to
get a status from someone who'd tell the truth, but she probably should have.
At any rate, it's all finally come together, closing today at 1pm and
no other buyers on the house, so I'm going to give it to them. As much as it
would be fun to tell them to eff off, it would take going to court and I'm not
interested in doing that. Just give me my money, take the house and never
darken my doorstep again, thankyouverymuch! hah!


- Sharon
"Gravity... is a harsh mistress!"