Due diligence refers to investigating facts about the condition of the property, both financial and physical, as well as the area the property is located in. The standard NC contract also has a separate amount for earnest money which is not forfeited until due diligence closes.While due diligence money is nonrefundable, earnest money is refundable but only if the buyer decides not to buy the home. The fee is meant to incentivize the seller to complete the due diligence process and provide evidence that the buyer is serious about buying the property. It's the time period where you can back out of the contract without losing your earnest money or incurring any other type of penalty. Place earnest money deposit in a licensed escrow account within two days of contract signing per Florida regulations. An escrow process begins after the seller has accepted a purchase offer, opening the negotiations to hash out an agreement with the buyer. The most common type of escrow dispute involves competing claims on earnest money. At this time, the seller may request a deposit—known as earnest money—be paid to an attorney or escrow agent.