Can you explain how an earnest money deposit works in a real estate transaction?

An earnest money deposit is a sum of money that a buyer puts down to show their serious intent to purchase a property. It is typically held in an escrow account until the sale is finalized. If the sale goes through, the earnest money is applied towards the purchase price. If the sale falls through due to reasons specified in the contract, the earnest money may be returned to the buyer.