Paris v. Feder

John and Barbara Paris appeal an order awarding them $10,000 plus $1,500 in attorney fees from the Real Estate Recovery Fund. Their complaint had asked for the full amount of their loss, $23,000.

Plaintiffs signed an agreement for the purchase of real estate on August 17, 1993. Plaintiffs deposited $20,750 in earnest money with defendants, who were licensed real estate agents. The agreement terminated without default, but the brokers never returned the earnest money. Plaintiffs filed a complaint against the brokers on January 19, 1995, for conversion and breach of a promissory note. Judgment…