急问: 买short sale 房子(星期二要与屋主签合同).

急问: 买short sale 房子(星期二要与屋主签合同).
1. DO i need to put earnest money when i sign the Contract with the Owner. If yes, how much. If the bank do not approve the offer and things did not work out, Can i get my earnest money back?
2. What is the time period between bank approve the offer and the closing data. 问的原因是想知道我什么时候应该开始申请loan. sell's realtor told me 7 days, that means i need to apply loan before i know the bank's acceptance of the offer. If things did not work out(high chance for short sale), i still need to pay the loan application fee if this is the case.
3. 我应该在什么时候inspect the house, after sign the contract with Owner? or after i know bank's approval.

4. 我应该在什么时候has the layer review the Contract, after sign the contract with Owner? or after i know bank's approval.

Thanks for your answer.