When a buyer pays an option fee to the seller to inspect the property, the buyer cannot:

The option fee is a payment made by the buyer to the seller in exchange for the right to terminate the contract during the option period, which is typically a specified timeframe for the buyer to conduct inspections and consider their purchase decision. This fee is generally not refundable if the buyer decides to proceed with the purchase or if they choose to terminate the contract after the option period has expired.

Therefore, when the answer states that the buyer cannot get the option fee back, it accurately reflects the nature of this transaction. The option fee serves as consideration for the right to terminate the contract and is a risk taken by the buyer; if they do not exercise their right to terminate during the option period, they forfeit that fee. This aspect underscores the concept that the option fee is tied to the contractual right being granted.

Other choices suggest actions that might impact the buyer’s rights or financial implications under the contract but do not directly pertain to the fundamental nature of the option fee and its non-refundable status if the buyer chooses not to proceed with the purchase.