@Gypsy likewise, If they are asking you to Pay up front with No Confirmed offer? On your head be it. If its with a written offer its not a bond its like a security Deposit. They don't have to spend Money chasing you over a bonding agreement which they may lose if its viewed as a Financial Penalty.
Basically if you go off before time they have nothing much to lose as they have your Cash already. Its been done before In a well known SE Asian Country before and others with Foreign Contract's. I Guess its here in Norwegian , I stand to be corrected but would like to know the lowdown also that's all.