08/21/2026
One of the easiest ways to lose your earnest money? Changing your mind after you’re already under contract.
Let’s say you finally find a house you love.
You write the offer.
The seller accepts it.
You deposit your earnest money.
You’re officially UNDER CONTRACT. 🎉
Then a few days later…
Your neighbor puts their house on the market.
And suddenly you’re thinking:
“Wait… I like THAT house better.” 👀
Here’s the problem:
Finding another house you like more usually isn’t, by itself, a contractual reason to walk away and automatically get your earnest money back.
Once you’re under contract, you can’t necessarily treat the home like something sitting in your Amazon cart and swap it out when something better pops up.
Your ability to cancel and whether your earnest money is protected, depends on the terms, contingencies and deadlines in YOUR contract.
That’s why I tell my buyers:
Before we submit the offer, make sure you’re actually ready to choose THIS house.
Could another house hit the market tomorrow? Absolutely.
Could interest rates change?
Could you see a prettier kitchen next week?
Yep.
But once we sign a contract, we need to understand exactly what we’re agreeing to.
My job isn’t just to help you WIN a house.
It’s also to help you understand the contract, protect your money where the contract allows, and make sure you’re making decisions with your eyes open.
Because losing hundreds or even thousands, of dollars because you simply found another house you liked better?
That’s a lesson I’d rather help you avoid. 🏡💰
📲 Thinking about buying on the Mississippi Gulf Coast? Message me “BUYER” and I’ll help you understand the process before you ever write your first offer.
Alexis Dauphin, REALTOR® | Associate Broker
Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Expect Realty
📱 228-236-7032 | ☎️ 228-215-1861
📧 [email protected]
📍 Mississippi Gulf Coast
