What is the main consequence of a breach of a real property sale contract related to damages?

The main consequence of a breach of a real property sale contract is that the buyer is entitled to recover the difference between the contract price and the property's market value at the time of the breach. This outcome is grounded in the principle of expectation damages, which aims to put the injured party (the buyer, in this case) in a position as if the contract had been fully performed. If the seller fails to deliver the property as agreed, the buyer has a right to seek compensation that reflects the economic loss incurred due to the breach.

In this scenario, if the market value of the property has declined below the contract price at the time of breach, the buyer can claim this difference as damages. Conversely, if the property has appreciated in value, the buyer may simply need to purchase another similar property and could potentially argue for a different measure of damages. However, the principle focuses on the economic impact caused by the failure to perform as stipulated in the contract.

The other options, while related to potential outcomes of a breach, do not encapsulate the primary consequence associated with the calculation of damages in this context. The retention of a deposit or the pursuit of specific performance may be relevant actions but do not directly lead to compensatory damages aimed at making the injured party