When paying an option fee to the seller for property inspection, what cannot the buyer do?

In the context of a real estate transaction, the option fee is a monetary consideration given by the buyer to the seller in exchange for the right to terminate the contract within a specified option period. The purpose of this fee is to provide the buyer with the ability to conduct inspections and assess the property's condition without the immediate obligation to go through with the purchase.

Opting for the choice that states the buyer cannot get the option fee back is correct because, in typical arrangements, the option fee is non-refundable. This means that if the buyer decides to terminate the contract, the seller retains the option fee as compensation for taking the property off the market and for potentially losing other offers during the option period. The nature of this fee serves to provide the seller with some financial security while allowing the buyer a period of consideration and inspection.

In contrast, the other choices reflect actions that a buyer can typically pursue under the terms of an option period. Buyers commonly have the right to request additional inspections to assess different aspects of the property, negotiate for a lower purchase price based on findings during inspections, and walk away from the contract without notice within the agreed-upon option period. These rights are essential components of the buyer's due diligence process.