Seems to this post is not a matter of IF the OP will get a return of deposit but WHEN

That is legally correct, but some real estate companies are pretty flexible about returning earnest money because they don't want to develop a bad reputation. But there are other companies who don't care about their reputation. In some states, you actually need a court order to keep the earnest money. Also, some standard listing contracts allow half of any forfeited earnest money to go to the listing broker, not to the seller.

:what:

What did the OP’s post say before it was edited 2 hours after posting ? Seems like something is missing. Did an over 10 year old roof change to major problems?

In Florida, most realtors consider that the inspection clause allows a potential buyer to back FOR ANY REASON during the inspection period. I just went through it selling a house in St Pete Beach (before hurricane), and two buyers backed out with any inspection being done. One was surprised at insurance costs, the second was a scumbag that literally "just changed his mind after 7 days". While the standard Florida clause say different, the realtor agency would not support me in either case saying the clause did not apply since no inspection was done.

I strongly believe I could have fought in court, but of course that cost money and time. There is no doubt you should get your money back given legitimate inspection findings, but the most honorable thing to do is offer the seller an opportunity to repair issues (new roof etc). Insurance is not an excuse IMHO, roof issues if real are.

I would just add that the listing price was probably based on a house with an old roof. The buyer is not entitled to a new roof. An old roof is not an inspection defect.

Contact an attorney

Was this a new home? If not you didn’t from the villages. You may have purchased a resale using a villages sales agent. The Villages does not have Realtors.

Semantics aside, if you properly cancelled and you think it has taken too long for return of earnest money you should 1) check your contract for terms on this issue 2) go to the manager of The Villages Sales and give X business days to return (again your contract terms) if you don’t receive the funds file a complaint.

time to return is 1-5 business days in all cases I’ve been party to. Weeks is too long.

Make sure everything is in writing.

I understand that Villages agents are licensed real estate agents.
Seems many are confused about this cancellation issue. The most common real estate contract in Florida is called an AS-IS contract. Section 12 has an inspection period which gives the buyer a right to cancel within 15 days after the effective date. After cancelled, the seller must return the deposit. I have cancelled out of these contracts before a few times. You can cancel for any reason.

Look at section 12 in the contract.
https://peopleschoicerealty.com/wp-c...-version-1.pdf

The right to cancel gives the buyer the right to cancel for any reason.

The right to cancel gives the buyer to right to cancel for any reason. Too much confusion here.

You can cancel for any reason. You can cancel because you found another house down the street that you like better.

Any person who sells real estate for a commission must be licensed by the state.

The OP didn't say that it was an "as-is" contract, so, without confirming, that is a fairly large assumption. I have never purchased a house with an as-is contract.

Here you go - you start here, you want to bring this to the FREC.

What is the Florida Real Estate Commission (FREC)?

The Villages employs nearly 400 licensed real estate agents.