Deposit or advance?

What is the difference between the term deposit and advance? In essence, these are two forms of money transfer. But, nevertheless, there is a certain difference. The deposit is one of the ways that guarantees the execution of circumstances. When buying an apartment, the buyer leaves the seller the deposit, that is, a certain amount of money. According to the law, if the transaction does not occur because of the buyer itself, the seller has the full right to leave a deposit in himself, and in the event that the seller refuses the deal, he must return the amount of the deposit amount twice as much. That is, it is a kind of measure of protecting interests and the seller, and the buyer.
As for the advancesThe legislation does not define its definition. Advance performs only a payment function. If the buyer made a sum as an advance, then he returned to money even if he just got out of buying an apartment. That is, the deposit is the attached circumstance with money, and an advance is just an agreement on intent. I would like our realtors, sellers and buyers to perform for such a form, which gives warranties for everyone, however, everything is often not happening as we would like, and even with a certain "secret". A contract is drawn up in which penalties are negotiated. According to this agreement, the amount that was introduced remains from the buyer in the event of a buyer's refusal from buying an apartment. Why it happens? But because much less was the seller's market, that is, to buy an apartment wanted a huge number of people, and to sell - much less. The selling side felt height. Realtors tried not to put pressure on the side of the seller, because it could be left without work. When concluding a contract for the sale of an apartment signs his real estate company on his own behalf. If the buyer and the seller agree among themselves, the real estate agency can remain without commission. In some cases, the advantage takes exactly the seller, and in some - agency. Even when buying a new building of Moscow, there is a very interesting form of a contract that does not oblige the buyer practically to anything, and in case of refusal of the transaction, the buyer loses an advance, which was introduced. In the contract, of course, a list of circumstances is made, which give the right to buy the money back. This applies to the identified factors in the history of the apartment - not included in the number of owners of minors or a deal was committed by incapable owners and so on.
As for the amount of the paid amount. The legislation does not establish a certain amount of the deposit when buying an apartment. This should solve both sides. There are checked market rules and some of its traditions. In many regions, the amount is 5% of the cost of an apartment or at home. A prepayment of 5% is the standard of any market not only real estate, but also when buying cars, furniture, etc. Apartments for sale has its own nuances that should be known.