Re: Getting deposit back...
Dunno about the delay in returning the money. Some of it is because they can't write a cheque to refund your monies until your original cheque is cleared.
But, i think its normal to lodge the booking deposit straight away.
On signing contracts, there's an additional deposit payable by bankers draft.
If it wasn't standard practice for the agent to lodge the booking deposit cheque, you could write multiple cheques to different agents. Which would defeat the purpose.
I found myself in a cashflow problem when the day came to hand over the deposit balance on signing contracts. Emptied all the bank accounts, credit union, and got a temporary overdraft. Most deposits are only 5k, so i'd advise talking to the bank. It would be a large overdraft, but you have a clear means of repayment and a short time frame.
Good luck!