Contracts

In West Virginia, a buyer defaults on a purchase contract. The seller keeps the earnest money as specified in the contract's liquidated damages clause. The seller:

AMay also sue the buyer for additional damages beyond the earnest money
BHas accepted the earnest money as full satisfaction and typically cannot pursue further damages✓ Correct
CMust return half the earnest money to the buyer by law
DMust obtain WVREC approval to keep the earnest money

Explanation

When a contract contains a liquidated damages clause providing that the seller may keep the earnest money upon buyer's default, acceptance of the earnest money is generally the seller's exclusive remedy — the seller cannot also sue for additional damages.

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