Can I get my earnest money back if the deal falls through?

Earnest money is refundable when a deal falls apart for a reason the contract actually protects, such as a financing contingency, an inspection contingency or an appraisal that comes in low, as long as the buyer follows the deadlines written into the contract. It becomes harder to recover if a buyer simply changes their mind after those contingency deadlines pass. Reading the contingency timelines carefully at signing, with help from your agent or an attorney, is what actually protects the deposit.