# 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 - **Contingent** means the seller accepted an offer but the deal still depends on conditions (inspection, financing, appraisal, title, or home sale) being met. - **Pending** means those contingencies have cleared and the deal is moving toward closing, usually within **30 to 45 days** when the buyer is financing. - **Active with contingency** is a sub-status of contingent on MLS-syndicated listing portals that signals the seller is still showing the home and may accept [backup offers](https://help.opendoor.com/buying/making-an-offer/pending-properties). - You can usually submit a backup offer on a contingent home, and sometimes on a pending home; the seller does not have to accept it. - Most contingent listings move to pending in **1 to 4 weeks**, depending on which contingency is in play and how the inspection and appraisal land. # 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. Related: [under contract meaning](https://www.opendoor.com/articles/under-contract-meaning). ## Quick comparison: contingent vs. pending at a glance Both statuses confirm that a seller has accepted an offer, but they sit at different points in the closing timeline and carry very different signals to buyers, sellers, and other agents. The fastest way to keep them straight is to remember that **contingent** is the conditional phase and **pending** is the committed phase. The Opendoor Help Center summarizes the contingent phase plainly: [contingent status means the deal has conditions that still need to be met](https://help.opendoor.com/buying/making-an-offer/pending-properties), while pending homes are no longer accepting new offers in most cases. Three things change as a deal moves from contingent to pending: - **Risk shifts off the buyer.** During the contingent phase, the buyer can walk away through an active contingency and recover their earnest money. Once pending, those exits are gone and the deposit is at risk. - **Marketing slows or stops.** A contingent listing usually stays visible, shown, and open to backup offers. A pending listing is typically pulled from active showings. - **Probability of close jumps.** A pending listing reflects cleared inspection, cleared appraisal, and committed financing, so the deal-fall-through rate is much lower than during the contingent phase. - **Earnest money commitment hardens.** During the contingent phase, the buyer's deposit is largely refundable if a contingency triggers; once pending, it's at risk of forfeit if the buyer walks without cause. - **Showings drop off.** Many listing portals stop showing pending homes prominently and most listing agents stop scheduling tours, which is why the home essentially disappears from active buyer flow once the contract crosses into pending. For a buyer, that's why writing a backup on a contingent home is a meaningfully different decision than writing one on a pending home: the probability of converting depends on which exits are still open to the primary buyer. For a seller, the move from contingent to pending is the moment most deals stop feeling fragile. The table below summarizes the day-to-day differences in plain English. For deeper coverage on why some pending deals still fail, see Opendoor's article on [why pending home sales fall through](https://www.opendoor.com/articles/why-do-pending-home-sales-fall-through). ## 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. ## What does "active with contingency" mean on a listing? **Active with contingency** is the status MLS-syndicated listing portals use when a seller has accepted an offer but the contract still has open conditions and the seller wants the listing to keep working in the meantime. The home stays searchable, can still be shown, and the seller may accept backup offers in case the primary deal falls apart. The Opendoor Help Center confirms this pattern: when a property is contingent or pending, the listing brokerage can still accept backup offers in many cases, but those [backup offers are not guaranteed to convert](https://help.opendoor.com/buying/making-an-offer/pending-properties). A few practical points buyers and sellers ask about most: - **Why a seller chooses "active with contingency" over plain pending.** Sellers leave the listing in active status when they're not fully confident the contract will close (a shaky financing contingency, a buyer with a home to sell, a short timeline). It keeps the marketing alive without breaching the existing contract. - **Whether the seller can take a better backup offer.** The seller is contractually committed to the buyer in first position. They can collect backup offers, but they cannot simply switch buyers unless the first contract is terminated through a contingency, a kick-out clause, or mutual agreement. - **What "continue to show" or CTGS adds on top.** That's a sub-flag that says the seller is still scheduling showings. "No show" means the seller has paused new tours, usually because they trust the contract to close. - **Where it sits in the timeline.** Active with contingency is the \*contingent\* phase. Once every contingency clears (the inspection is satisfied, the loan is committed, the appraisal lands at or above price), the listing flips to **pending**, and showings typically stop. If you're a buyer interested in a home that's active with contingency, ask your agent how solid the existing contract looks, especially around financing and home-sale contingencies, which are the two most common reasons a contract falls apart. If you're a seller, the status is a useful cushion: you keep momentum without breaking your contract. ## 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. Related: [earnest money basics](https://www.opendoor.com/articles/earnest-money). ## How to make an offer on a contingent or pending home Yes, in most cases — but the path is different depending on which status you're looking at and whether the seller's brokerage is accepting **backup offers**. The Opendoor Help Center notes that [Opendoor may accept backup offers on pending or contingent properties](https://help.opendoor.com/buying/making-an-offer/pending-properties), but not every listing does, and a backup offer is not guaranteed to convert. Here's the practical sequence: 1. **Confirm the seller is taking backups.** Your agent calls the listing agent to confirm. Some MLS statuses ("contingent — taking backups," "pending — taking backups") signal openness directly; others don't. A 30-second call settles it. 2. **Get pre-approved before you write.** A backup offer with a pre-approval letter beats a backup offer without one. If you're paying cash, a [proof-of-funds dated within 30 days](https://help.opendoor.com/buying/financing-closing/financial-documents-needed) is standard. 3. **Write a strong, clean offer.** Backup buyers usually win on terms more than price: a larger earnest money deposit (Opendoor's Help Center cites a typical [1 to 3% range](https://help.opendoor.com/buying/making-an-offer/earnest-money-deposit)), shorter contingency windows, and flexibility on closing date. Avoid escalation games — the seller is committed to the primary buyer and only sees your offer if the first contract dies. 4. **Specify what happens if first position falls.** A standard backup offer becomes the primary contract automatically if the first deal terminates, often with a 48-hour notice window so the buyer can confirm they still want to proceed at the stated terms. 5. **Keep your options open.** A backup offer in real estate is not exclusive — you can continue to tour and bid on other homes. Many backup offers never convert, so don't pause your search. The difference between contingent and pending here is one of probability: a backup on a contingent home (where contingencies haven't cleared) is more likely to convert than a backup on a pending home (where everything has cleared and the deal is moving to close). Either way, your contract terms matter as much as your price. ## 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. Related: [why pending home sales fall through](https://www.opendoor.com/articles/why-do-pending-home-sales-fall-through) · [how long does closing take](https://www.opendoor.com/articles/how-long-does-closing-take). ## Cost and timeline differences between a contingent and a pending offer The dollars and the calendar usually look different at each stage. A contingent offer carries lower commitment risk for the buyer (you can walk away via a contingency without forfeiting your deposit), so earnest money tends to be on the lower end of typical ranges. A pending offer is locked in, so sellers often see (and ask for) larger deposits and tighter closing dates. Using the Opendoor Help Center's [typical earnest money range of 1 to 3%](https://help.opendoor.com/buying/making-an-offer/earnest-money-deposit), here's how the math looks on a $350,000 home and a $400,000 home: - A contingent offer at $350,000 with **1% earnest money** ties up **$3,500** in escrow. - A pending-stage commitment at $400,000 with **2% earnest money** ties up **$8,000**. - A competitive market often pushes deposits closer to **3%**, which on a $400,000 contract is **$12,000**. On timing, [Opendoor's buyer-closing guide](https://help.opendoor.com/buying/financing-closing/buyer-closing) puts the financed close at **30 to 45 days from accepted offer**, and cash purchases as fast as **14 days**. Most of that window is the contingent phase, when inspection, appraisal, and lender underwriting run in parallel. Once everything clears, the listing moves to pending and the final 7 to 14 days are paperwork, final loan approval, and the closing appointment. For sellers, the key insight is that the contingent phase is where almost every deal collapses. The [share of deals that fail in this window](https://www.opendoor.com/articles/why-do-pending-home-sales-fall-through) is usually driven by financing problems and inspection surprises. If your buyer crossed the pending threshold without issue, the probability your deal closes is dramatically higher. ## 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. [Get a free, no-obligation cash offer today.](https://www.opendoor.com/address-entry) [Get your offer](#) **FAQs about contingent vs pending homes** | **Supported Locations** | | | **Cities / Areas** | **States** | | [Columbia](/sell/columbia_sc), [Columbus](/sell/columbus_oh), [Corpus Christi](/sell/corpus_christi_tx), [Detroit](/sell/detroit_mi), [East Texas](/sell/east_texas), [El Paso](/sell/el_paso), [Florida Panhandle](/sell/florida_panhandle), [Greensboro](/sell/greensboro_nc), [Greenville](/sell/greenville_sc), [Indianapolis](/sell/indianapolis_in), [Kansas City](/sell/kansas_city), [Killeen](/sell/killeen_tx), [Knoxville](/sell/knoxville_tn), [Las Vegas](/sell/las_vegas), [Little Rock](/sell/little_rock_ar), [Louisville](/sell/louisville_in_ky), [Memphis](/sell/memphis_tn), [Miami](/sell/miami_fl), [Milwaukee-Waukesha](/sell/milwaukee_waukesha_wi), [Minneapolis](/sell/minneapolis), [New Orleans](/sell/new_orleans_la), [New York & New Jersey](/sell/new_york_new_jersey), [Northern Colorado](/sell/northern_colorado), [Oklahoma City](/sell/oklahoma_city_ok), [Omaha](/sell/omaha_ne), [Philadelphia](/sell/philadelphia_pa), [Pittsburgh](/sell/pittsburgh_pa), [Portland](/sell/portland), [Prescott](/sell/prescott_az), [Reno](/sell/reno_nv), [Richmond](/sell/richmond_va), [Salt Lake City](/sell/salt_lake_city), [San Antonio](/sell/san_antonio), [Seattle](/sell/seattle_wa), [San Francisco Bay Area](/sell/sf_bay_area), [South Texas](/sell/south_texas), [Southwest Florida](/sell/southwest_fl), [St Louis](/sell/st_louis), [Tucson](/sell/tucson), [Tulsa](/sell/tulsa_ok), [Virginia Beach](/sell/virginia_beach_va), [West Texas](/sell/west_texas), [Western New York](/sell/western_ny) | [Alabama](/sell/alabama_other), [Arkansas](/sell/arkansas_other), [California](/sell/california_other), [Colorado](/sell/colorado_other), [Connecticut](/sell/connecticut_other), [Delaware](/sell/delaware_other), [Georgia](/sell/georgia_other), [Idaho](/sell/idaho_other), [Illinois](/sell/illinois_other), [Indiana](/sell/indiana_other), [Iowa](/sell/iowa_other), [Kansas](/sell/kansas_other), [Kentucky](/sell/kentucky_other), [Louisiana](/sell/louisiana_other), [Maine](/sell/maine_other), [Maryland](/sell/maryland_other), [Massachusetts](/sell/massachusetts_other), [Michigan](/sell/michigan_other), [Minnesota](/sell/minnesota_other), [Mississippi](/sell/mississippi_other), [Missouri](/sell/missouri_other), [Montana](/sell/montana_other), [Nebraska](/sell/nebraska_other), [Nevada](/sell/nevada_other), [New Hampshire](/sell/new_hampshire_other), [New Mexico](/sell/new_mexico_other), [New York](/sell/new_york_other), [North Carolina](/sell/north_carolina_other), [North Dakota](/sell/north_dakota_other), [Ohio](/sell/ohio_other), [Oklahoma](/sell/oklahoma_other), [Oregon](/sell/oregon_other), [Pennsylvania](/sell/pennsylvania_other), [South Carolina](/sell/south_carolina_other), [South Dakota](/sell/south_dakota_other), [Tennessee](/sell/tennessee_other), [Utah](/sell/utah_other), [Vermont](/sell/vermont_other), [Virginia](/sell/virginia_other), [Washington](/sell/washington_other), [West Virginia](/sell/west_virginia_other), [Wisconsin](/sell/wisconsin_other), [Wyoming](/sell/wyoming_other) | --- *Originally published at [https://www.opendoor.com/articles/contingent-vs-pending](https://www.opendoor.com/articles/contingent-vs-pending)*