I frequently will add a clause to my contracts similar to the “72 hour clause” giving me the right to continue to market the property not only until all contingencies are removed, but until all earnest money has been released from escrow. IMHO, earnest money is a bunch of BS as the buyer can delay signing the release almost indefinately, and the agents will come up with some whoppers of excuses as to why it hasn’t been done. You say you had a bidding war on your hands, you are in a position of power here. Send 1 notice to perform, if you don’t get results in a day or two, ammend the contract to add a 72 hour clause requiring the buyer to drop contingencies and release all earnest money, and then start fielding offers. If the buyers agent is hungry they will march the buyer down to the escrow office and put the pen in their hand.