Can You Make an Offer on a Contingent House? Heres What to Expect

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You’ve been searching for a home to buy, and you come across a property you love only to see it’s labeled as “contingent.” You might wonder, “Can I still buy this house?” or even, “Can you make an offer on a contingent house?”

In this post, we’ll review how you can still throw your hat in the ring for a house that’s caught your eye, even if it’s currently under a contingent status. We’ll also look at how to decide if it’s worth your time to make the offer, and what you can expect if you do.

Start Making Offers Without Waiting to Sell Your Current Home

Through our Buy Before You Sell program, HomeLight can help you unlock a portion of your equity upfront to put toward your next home. You can then make a strong offer on your next home with no home sale contingency.

What does contingent mean on a house listing?

When you’re sifting through house listings and come across one marked as “contingent,” it signifies that an offer on the house has been made and accepted, but the final sale is pending until certain conditions, or contingencies, are met. These conditions are put in place to protect both the buyer and the seller, ensuring that specific criteria are satisfied before the transaction proceeds to closing.

Types of contingencies

Several common types of contingencies can cause a home to be listed as “contingent.” These include:

  • Inspection contingencies: This allows the buyer to have the home inspected within a certain timeframe. If significant issues are discovered, the buyer can renegotiate or back out of the sale.
  • Appraisal contingencies: Ensures the property is valued at a minimum, specified amount. If the appraisal comes in lower than the agreed price, the buyer can renegotiate or withdraw without losing their deposit.
  • Financing contingencies: Gives the buyer time to secure financing. If the buyer cannot obtain a mortgage, they can cancel the contract without penalty.
  • Sale of current home contingencies: For buyers who need to sell their current home before purchasing a new one, this contingency allows them to back out if they cannot sell within a specified period.

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