Does Contingent Mean a House Is Sold?

When a property listing shows “contingent,” it signifies that a seller has accepted an offer from a buyer. This status means the sale is not yet final and depends on specific conditions being met within a set timeframe.

Understanding the Contingent Status

A contingent status indicates that a property is under contract, but the transaction’s completion hinges on specific conditions outlined in the purchase agreement. Buyers typically submit an earnest money deposit, often 1% to 5% of the purchase price, held in an escrow account, to demonstrate their serious intent to purchase. This deposit is refundable under specific circumstances defined by the contingencies. This conditional period allows both the buyer and seller to conduct necessary due diligence and fulfill their contractual obligations before the sale becomes binding.

Common Contingency Types

Several common contingencies protect buyers and sellers during the home-buying process. A home inspection contingency allows the buyer to thoroughly examine the property for defects or necessary repairs. If significant issues are discovered, the buyer may request repairs or a price adjustment, or they could withdraw from the agreement without forfeiting their earnest money deposit. An appraisal contingency ensures that the property’s value, as determined by an independent appraisal, meets or exceeds the agreed-upon sale price. If the appraisal comes in lower, the buyer might need to pay the difference in cash, or the parties may renegotiate the price to align with the appraised value.

A financing or mortgage contingency makes the sale dependent on the buyer securing a loan for the property. This protects the buyer from being obligated to purchase if they cannot obtain the necessary financing from a lender. The buyer’s financial qualifications, including credit score and debt-to-income ratio, are thoroughly reviewed by the lender during this period. The sale of buyer’s home contingency means the buyer must sell their current residence before purchasing the new property. This contingency often includes a “kick-out clause,” allowing the seller to accept a stronger offer if the initial buyer cannot remove their contingency within a specified timeframe.

Navigating a Contingent Sale

Once a property is contingent, actions unfold to satisfy the agreed-upon conditions. Buyers arrange for property inspections, and the lender orders an appraisal to assess the property’s market value. The buyer’s loan application moves through the underwriting process, requiring them to submit various financial documents for verification. During this period, the seller must cooperate by providing access for inspections and appraisals and potentially addressing any repair requests that arise from the inspection.

If all contingencies are successfully met or waived by the buyer, the transaction progresses toward the closing stage. However, if a contingency cannot be met or the buyer chooses to withdraw based on a valid contingency, the deal can fall through. In such cases, the earnest money deposit is typically returned to the buyer. Sellers may also entertain “backup offers” during a contingent period. These offers become active if the primary contingent deal collapses, providing a safety net for the seller and potentially reducing the time the property remains off the market.

Contingent Versus Other Property Statuses

An “active” listing signifies that the property is fully available on the market and open to all offers, allowing any interested buyer to submit a bid. This status represents the earliest stage of a property’s market availability.

In contrast, a “pending” status generally indicates a more advanced stage of the sale process than contingent. For a pending property, most, if not all, contingencies have been satisfied or waived, and the transaction is moving very close to the final closing. While a pending deal can still fall through, it is less common than with contingent sales, as the major hurdles have typically been cleared. Finally, “sold” means the transaction is complete, ownership has officially transferred from the seller to the buyer, and all financial obligations have been fulfilled.