Seller backs out of home sale

[thinker]

I am in Maryland. I attempted to contract to buy a house in a very "hot" area, where prices are rapidly escalating. (For what it's worth, I was using two real estate agents were involved, a seller's agent and a subagent. No buyer's agent was involved.) The subagent notified me that my offer was accepted and that she would be sending me the signed contract the next day for me to initial a few updated terms. (I had no contingencies - no inspection, no financing contingency, etc.) The contract did not arrive the next day, but instead, the agent notified me that another buyer had offered a higher price at the last moment and the seller decided to reject my offer and accept the other buyer's offer.

So, I thought that I had a deal, and I was effectively kicked out. I don't have any proof that the seller ever signed the contract; just a verbal acceptance.

Realistically, do I have any recourse?

 

[S]

You don't have any recourse until you put down a deposit which is held in escrow