When you see a home marked “contingent,” it can feel like the door’s closed—but not so fast. A lot can still happen between accepting an offer and actually closing the deal. Buyers back out. Financing falls through. Surprises pop up in inspections. In this article, we’ll walk through what “contingent” really means, how long that status usually lasts, and what you can do—whether you’re buying or selling—to stay a step ahead.
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Contingent Status
- What Does Contingent Mean in Real Estate?
- How Long Does a House Stay in Contingent Status?
- Common Types of Contingencies in Home Sales
- Why Contingent Offers Fall Through
- Can a Seller Accept Backup Offers or Continue to Show the Home?
- Reilly’s Two Cents
- Contingent Offers: Deal or Delay?
- Frequently Asked Questions
What Does Contingent Mean in Real Estate?
In real estate, “contingent” means a seller has accepted a buyer’s offer, but the deal depends on certain conditions being met. These conditions—called contingencies—must be resolved before the sale can go through.
For example, the buyer might need to:
- Get approved for a mortgage (financing contingency)
- Make sure the home passes an inspection (home inspection contingency)
- Wait until their current home sells (home sale contingency)
If any of these fall through, the buyer can usually cancel the deal without losing their deposit. These safeguards are there to protect the buyer—but they also mean the home isn’t sold just yet.
So when you see a “contingent” status, it’s a sign that the home is under contract, but still in a waiting period.
How Long Does a House Stay in Contingent Status?
Most homes stay in contingent status for about 10 to 30 days, but it can vary depending on the agreement and what needs to get done. If the buyer has to get a mortgage, finish inspections, or sell their current home, that adds time.
Some deals move faster, especially if the buyer pays cash or waives certain steps. Others take longer if there are delays—like a problem found during inspection or trouble getting financing.
The timeline should be listed in the contract. Still, things can change. That’s why it’s smart for both the buyer and seller to stay in close touch with their real estate agents during this stage.
Common Types of Contingencies in Home Sales
Contingencies are built-in protections for buyers—and sometimes sellers. They make sure big things happen before the deal is final. Here are the most common ones you’ll see:
- Home inspection contingency: Gives the buyer time to inspect the home. If something major is wrong, they can ask for repairs or walk away.
- Appraisal contingency: The home must be worth the offer price. If it appraises low, the buyer can renegotiate or cancel.
- Mortgage (or financing) contingency: The buyer needs to get approved for a loan. If they can’t, they aren’t stuck buying a home they can’t afford.
- Title contingency: Checks that the home has a clean title—no unpaid taxes, liens, or legal issues.
- Home sale contingency: The buyer must sell their current home first. If that doesn’t happen in time, the deal can fall through.
Each one protects the buyer in a different way. But too many contingencies can make an offer less attractive to the seller.
Why Contingent Offers Fall Through
Even when things start strong, contingent deals don’t always make it to the finish line. Here are some of the most common reasons they fall apart:
- Financing falls through: The buyer might not get final approval for their loan.
- Inspection surprises: Major issues—like roof damage or foundation problems—can scare buyers off.
- Low appraisal: If the home is worth less than the offer, the lender may not approve the full loan.
- Cold feet: Sometimes, buyers just change their minds.
When this happens, the deal can be canceled, and the home often goes back on the market. That’s why sellers usually look closely at a buyer’s financing and timeline—and why buyers need to move quickly and stay in touch with their agent.
Can a Seller Accept Backup Offers or Continue to Show the Home?
Yes, in many cases, sellers can keep showing their home and even accept backup offers while it’s under a contingent contract. But it depends on how the sale agreement is written and how the listing is marked in the MLS (Multiple Listing Service).
If a home is listed as “continue to show”, it means the seller has accepted an offer, but they’re still open to other buyers viewing the property—just in case the first deal falls through. This gives the seller more options and helps avoid delays if something goes wrong.
Another important term is the “kick-out clause.” This is a condition in the contract that allows the seller to accept a better offer—even while under contract with a buyer. The original buyer then has a limited amount of time (often 48–72 hours) to remove their contingencies or walk away. If they can’t meet the new terms, the seller can “kick out” that offer and move forward with someone else.
These tools help sellers stay flexible—and buyers should know about them in case they’re making an offer on a home that already has one in place.
Reilly’s Two Cents
I’ve helped plenty of sellers in Florida work through deals that seemed rock-solid—until a contingency hit a snag. Sometimes it was a late-stage financing hiccup. Other times, it was an inspection surprise no one saw coming. One thing I’ve learned: the deal isn’t done until the contingencies are cleared.
If you’re selling, don’t be shy about asking the buyer’s agent if their client is fully preapproved—not just prequalified. You want to know they’re serious and ready to move fast.
Also, think about adding a kick-out clause if your buyer has a home sale contingency. It gives you options and keeps the deal moving.
For buyers, time matters. The faster you schedule inspections and secure financing, the smoother things go. Communicate clearly, respond quickly, and stay flexible. That alone can give you a real edge—especially in tight markets.
Contingent Offers: Deal or Delay?
A contingent offer means a deal is in motion—but not quite finished. It gives both sides time to handle important steps like inspections, appraisals, or loan approvals. Most of the time, these deals close just fine. But when things fall apart, it’s often due to delays, money issues, or surprises.
Whether you’re buying or selling, the best move is to stay prepared, ask smart questions, and act fast when it counts.
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Frequently Asked Questions
It depends on what’s in the contract, but most last between 10 and 30 days. Some may be shorter or longer based on what needs to happen—like a home inspection or loan approval.
Yes. If the buyer has a valid reason—like a failed inspection or loan denial—they can usually cancel the deal without losing their earnest money.
Not easily. Once they’ve signed the agreement, they’re locked in unless the buyer misses a deadline or a kick-out clause is triggered.
“Contingent” means the sale is waiting on certain conditions. “Pending” means those conditions have been met, and the sale is just waiting to close.
The home usually goes back on the market. Sometimes, if the seller accepted a backup offer, they move on to the next buyer right away.

Reilly Dzurick is a seasoned real estate agent at Get Land Florida, bringing over six years of industry experience to the vibrant Vero Beach market. She is known for her deep understanding of local real estate trends and her dedication to helping clients find their dream properties. Reilly’s journey in real estate is complemented by her academic background in Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication from the University of North Florida.