Due diligence fees refer to a sum of money the buyer offers the seller to take the property off the market. Due diligence money is a fee that buyers proffer at the time they make an offer on a home.In essence, it is the buyer's good faith payment to the seller. The standard NC contract also has a separate amount for earnest money which is not forfeited until due diligence closes. Earnest money is a deposit made to a seller that represents a buyer's good faith to make a purchase such as the acquisition of a new home. Learn about earnest money best practices and how real estate professionals can safeguard their client's deposit. Good faith deposit agreements in NYC govern the payment, handling, and release of earnest money during commercial real estate transactions. Earnest money is similar to due diligence in that it is another fund that you are paying the seller to show your commitment towards buying their home. While due diligence money is nonrefundable, earnest money is refundable but only if the buyer decides not to buy the home.