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. Due diligence money is non-refundable, whereas earnest money is refundable if the buyer decides not to buy the home within the due diligence period.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. Earnest money is a deposit made to a seller, often in real estate transactions, that shows the buyer's good faith in a transaction. Earnest money is a fee that can be refunded to you if you back out of the contract before the end of the due diligence period. The amount of the earnest money deposit, however, is negotiable.