In Virginia, when must a broker deposit earnest money?

In Virginia, brokers are required to deposit earnest money within five business days of acceptance of the offer. This requirement ensures that the earnest money, which demonstrates the buyer's good faith in the transaction, is handled in a timely manner and provides security to the seller during the period leading up to closing. By setting this specific timeframe, the law aims to promote professionalism and efficiency in real estate transactions, minimizing the risk of disputes over the handling of earnest money.

The other options do not align with Virginia's specific regulations regarding earnest money deposits. For instance, while a shorter timeframe could seem favorable, the law explicitly states the five business day requirement to allow all parties adequate time to prepare and ensure proper documentation and deposit procedures are followed.