# What Does Contingent vs Pending Mean in Real Estate? By Opendoor Editorial Team | 2022-07-14 > When you see a home listing with “contingent” or “pending” status, the seller has already accepted an offer — but that doesn’t mean you’re without options. Contingent listings will often allow backup offers, though it’s unlikely you’ll be able to bid on a home that’s pending. ## Key Takeaways ## Key takeaways - A contingent listing means the seller has accepted an offer, but there are still conditions that need to be met for the sale to close.  - Interested buyers can often submit a backup offer.  - With a pending listing, the seller has accepted an offer and all conditions have been met for the sale to close. The deal is usually too far along for backup offers. - Around 23% of deals are delayed, and 7% are terminated all together — usually because of contract contingencies.  - Work with your agent to decide the best course of action on a pending or contingent listing. # What Does Contingent vs Pending Mean in Real Estate? You found a home you love, but the listing says "contingent" — and you're not sure if that means it's gone or if you still have a shot. Meanwhile, another home you've been watching just switched to "pending," and now it's disappeared from your saved searches entirely. Both terms signal that a seller has [accepted an offer](https://www.opendoor.com/articles/what-happens-after-house-offer-is-accepted), but they represent different stages in the transaction — and knowing the difference can help you decide whether to keep pursuing a property or move on. Below, we'll break down what contingent and pending mean, the common sub-statuses you'll encounter, and whether you can still make an offer on homes with either label. [Get your offer](#) ## What is the difference between contingent and pending in real estate If you've been browsing homes online, you've probably noticed some listings marked "contingent" and others marked "pending." Both [terms](https://www.opendoor.com/articles/real-estate-terms-you-should-know) mean the seller has accepted an offer, but the two statuses signal very different stages in the transaction. A contingent listing means the sale depends on certain conditions being met first. For example, the buyer might need to pass a home inspection or secure mortgage approval before the deal can move forward. If any of those conditions fall through, the contract can be canceled, and the home goes back on the market. A pending listing, on the other hand, means all conditions have been cleared. The sale is in its final stretch and moving toward closing. Pending homes are very close to being sold, though the transaction isn't technically complete until closing day. Here's a quick way to think about it: | **Factor** | **Contingent** | **Pending** | | Offer status | Accepted with conditions | Accepted, conditions cleared | | Likelihood of closing | Deal can still fall through | Very likely to close | | Backup offers | Often accepted | Rarely accepted | | Market visibility | Usually still visible | Typically off-market | So when you see a home you love marked contingent, there may still be a chance. When it's pending, the window is much smaller. ## What does contingent mean on a real estate listing When a listing shows "contingent" on sites like Zillow or Realtor.com, it means the seller has accepted a buyer's offer, but the sale isn't final yet. Certain conditions, called contingencies, still need to be satisfied before the transaction can close. Contingencies act as safety nets for buyers. They allow a buyer to back out of the deal without losing their [earnest money deposit](https://www.opendoor.com/articles/earnest-money) if something goes wrong. A buyer might include a contingency that lets them cancel if the home inspection reveals major problems, or if they can't get approved for a mortgage. For sellers evaluating [different offers](https://www.opendoor.com/articles/how-to-choose-the-best-offer-on-your-house), a contingent status often means keeping the listing somewhat active. If the current deal falls apart, the seller wants to be ready with backup options. ## Common types of contingencies when buying a home Most home sales include at least one contingency. They're a normal part of the process, and they protect buyers from getting locked into a deal that doesn't work out. ### Home sale contingency A home sale contingency means the buyer's purchase depends on selling their current home first. This is common for buyers who need the proceeds from their existing property to fund the new one. Sellers sometimes view this contingency as risky because it introduces uncertainty about timing. If the buyer can't find a purchaser for their old home, the whole deal can unravel. ### Financing contingency A financing contingency, sometimes called a mortgage contingency, gives the buyer time to secure loan approval. If the buyer applies for a mortgage and gets denied, they can withdraw from the purchase without penalty. This contingency protects buyers who haven't been fully approved before making an offer. ### Inspection contingency The inspection contingency is one of the most common — [67% of buyers](https://www.ahit.com/home-inspection-career-guide/are-home-inspectors-in-demand/) include inspection contingencies in their offers. It allows the buyer to hire a professional inspector to evaluate the home's condition. If the inspection reveals significant issues, like a failing roof or foundation problems, the buyer can negotiate repairs, ask for a price reduction, or walk away entirely. ### Appraisal contingency An appraisal contingency protects the buyer from overpaying. Before closing, a licensed appraiser determines the home's fair market value. If the appraisal comes in lower than the agreed-upon purchase price, the buyer can renegotiate or cancel the contract — [23% of sellers](https://www.zillow.com/learn/appraisal-came-in-low/) report deals falling through due to low appraisals. Lenders also rely on appraisals because they won't approve a loan for more than the home is worth. ### Title contingency A title contingency ensures the property has a clear title, meaning there are no liens, ownership disputes, or legal issues that could complicate the transfer. A title company conducts a search to verify ownership history. If problems surface, the buyer can back out without penalty. ## Common contingent statuses you may see on listings Not all contingent listings are the same. MLS systems use specific sub-statuses to show how open the seller is to backup offers and showings. Knowing what each one means can help you decide whether to pursue a home or move on. ### Contingent continue to show When a listing shows "Contingent: Continue to Show" (sometimes abbreviated CCS), the seller is still welcoming showings and additional offers. This status often signals that the seller or their agent isn't entirely confident the current deal will close. If you're interested in a home with this status, you may still have a real chance. ### Contingent no show A "Contingent: No Show" status means the seller has stopped showing the property and isn't accepting new offers. This typically indicates confidence that the current buyer will satisfy all contingencies and close the deal. The seller has essentially taken the home off the market while waiting for the transaction to finalize. ### Contingent with kick-out clause A kick-out clause sets a deadline for the buyer to meet their contingencies. If the buyer can't satisfy the conditions in time and a better offer comes along, the seller can "kick out" the original buyer and accept the new offer. This clause is especially common when a buyer has a home sale contingency, since selling a home can take weeks or months. ### Contingent short sale A short sale happens when the seller owes more on their mortgage than the home is worth, and the lender agrees to accept less than the full balance. A "Contingent: Short Sale" status means an offer has been accepted, but the transaction requires lender approval. Short sales can take months to finalize because of the extra paperwork and negotiations involved. ## What does pending mean on a house listing A pending status signals that the sale has cleared its major hurdles. All contingencies have been satisfied or waived, and both parties are moving forward toward closing. While pending homes are very close to being sold, the deal isn't final until [closing day](https://www.opendoor.com/articles/how-long-does-closing-take). Unexpected issues can still arise, though they're relatively rare at this stage. You might notice a home you were watching suddenly disappear from your saved list. That's because pending listings are typically removed from active searches. ## Common pending statuses in real estate Like contingent listings, pending homes can have sub-statuses that provide more detail about where the transaction stands. ### Pending taking backups Even though the sale is pending, some sellers continue accepting backup offers. If the current deal falls through for any reason, the seller can move forward with a backup buyer without relisting the home. This status gives interested buyers a small window of opportunity. ### Pending short sale Similar to a contingent short sale, this status indicates the transaction is further along but still awaiting final lender approval. Short sales can be unpredictable, so this status may linger longer than a typical pending listing. ### Pending more than four months When a listing has been pending for more than four months, the MLS automatically updates the status to reflect the delay. This could indicate complications with the transaction, or it might simply mean the listing agent forgot to update the status to "sold" after closing. ### Pending no show A "Pending: No Show" status means the seller isn't accepting showings or backup offers. Both parties are confident the sale will close as planned, and the transaction is essentially in its final stretch. ## Can you make an offer on a contingent or pending home Yes, though your chances depend on the listing's specific status. For contingent homes, backup offers are often welcome. This is especially true if the listing shows "Continue to Show" or includes a kick-out clause. Submitting a backup offer costs nothing and positions you at the front of the line if the original deal falls through. For pending homes, making an offer is technically possible, but sellers rarely give it serious consideration. The sale is nearly finalized, and most sellers aren't interested in starting over unless something goes wrong. If you're serious about a contingent or pending home, talk to your real estate agent about the listing's specific status. They may be able to get insight from the listing agent about how solid the current deal is. ## How long does it take to go from contingent to pending The timeline varies depending on the type and number of contingencies involved. A straightforward inspection contingency typically gets resolved within [7-10 days](https://www.rocketmortgage.com/learn/inspection-contingency) of the accepted offer. A home sale contingency, on the other hand, could take a month or longer if the buyer is still looking for a purchaser. ## Sell your home the simple way with Opendoor Navigating contingent offers as a seller can feel uncertain. You might accept an offer only to watch it fall through weeks later when the buyer's financing doesn't come through or their home doesn't sell in time. With Opendoor, you can skip that uncertainty. You'll receive a competitive cash offer with no financing contingencies to worry about, and you choose your closing date. Whether you're relocating for a new job, downsizing, or simply ready for your next chapter, Opendoor puts you in control of your timeline. 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