What Happens When a Buyer Terminates During Due Diligence in Raleigh, NC: A Seller’s Guide for 2026
When a buyer terminates during the due diligence period in North Carolina, the seller keeps the due diligence fee — which is non-refundable under NC Form 2-T — and the buyer gets the earnest money back. This is one of the most common misunderstandings sellers face when a deal falls apart: many expect to keep both deposits, but under North Carolina’s contract structure, only the due diligence fee belongs to the seller when termination happens before the due diligence deadline. The property returns to market immediately with no required waiting period.
