
Sale Pending
What Does It Really Mean In Real Estate?
During the 2020/2021 period, the U.S. real estate market was scorching, and most of the properties quickly became sale pending. Most clients asked me how to navigate this situation and understand more deeply what sale pending really means. That motivated me to write about it.
In this article, I will break down everything you need to know about real estate sale pending. I’ll explain what it means when a property is pending sale, and we’ll also discuss some of the benefits of buying a property that is already in the pending stage. So if you’re curious about this term, keep reading!
What does it mean if a house is sale pending?
When a property is sale pending, it means that an offer has been made and accepted by the seller, but the deal has not yet closed. In some cases, a property may be pending for a few days or weeks before it officially sells. In other cases, a property may be pending for months.
Can you make an offer on a sale pending home?
The short answer to this question is, unfortunately, no. When a house is pending that means that an offer has already been accepted by the seller and the buyers are currently going through the inspection and loan process. If you were to try and put an offer on a pending home, the seller’s agent would most likely not even present it to the sellers as they are already under contract.
If you really like a particular property that is pending, you can always reach out to the listing agent and see if they would be willing to write up a backup offer for you. A backup offer basically says that if for some reason the first buyer’s deal falls through, then your offer will go into effect. This does not happen often, but it is something that you can try if you are really interested in a property.
What is the difference between pending or contingent?
Pending status on a home means that an offer has been accepted by the seller, but the sale has not yet closed. A home is usually only in pending status for a short period of time, typically between one and two weeks.
Contingent status on a home means that there is an offer on the table, but it is contingent upon certain conditions being met. These conditions could include everything from the buyer securing financing to the completion of a home inspection. If these conditions are not met, then the sale will not go through and the home will go back on the market.
It’s important to remember that even if a home is in pending or contingent status, there are still opportunities for another buyer to come in and make a higher offer that the seller accepts. If you’re interested in a home that is already under contract, it’s important to work with your real estate agent to try to get your offer accepted by the seller.

What is the difference between pending and under contract?
Pending home sale and under contract are two terms that are often used interchangeably in the real estate world, but they actually mean slightly different things. Pending means that an offer has been made on a property and is awaiting acceptance from the seller. Once both parties have agreed to the sale, it is considered pending.
Under contract, on the other hand, means that the sale has been agreed upon by both parties and is now in escrow. This means that all of the paperwork has been signed and the buyer has put down a deposit, but the sale is not yet final.
What does it mean when a house goes from pending to off-market?
There can be a few different reasons why a house would go from pending to off-market. The most common reason is that the deal fell through and the sellers decided to take the house off the market instead of trying to find another buyer. It’s also possible that the listing agent made a mistake and took the house off the market before it was actually sold. If this happens, you may be able to reach out to the agent and see if they would be willing to relist the property.
Lastly, it’s possible that the sellers received multiple offers and decided to accept one of them. In this case, the house would go from pending to under contract very quickly and would then be taken off the market.

Do sale pending offers fall through?
Unfortunately, sale pending offers do sometimes fall through. The most common reason for this is that the buyer is unable to obtain financing. If the buyer is not able to get a loan, they may need to cancel the contract due to a financing contingency. This can be frustrating for sellers, as it means starting the process all over again.
There are a few things that sellers can do to try to avoid this situation.
First, they can require that the buyers provide a pre-approved letter from a lender before submitting an offer. This letter shows that the buyers have already been approved for a loan and should help to ensure that financing will not be an issue. Additionally, sellers can ask for a larger deposit from buyers who are obtaining financing.
This may help to discourage buyers from submitting an offer if they are not serious about purchasing the property. Finally, sellers can ask that the buyers submit a loan commitment letter along with their offer. This letter shows that the buyer has already been approved for a loan and should help to ensure that financing will not be an issue.
Why would a house go from pending to active?
There are a few different reasons why a house would go from pending to active. The most common reason is that the deal fell through and the sellers decided to take the house off the market instead of trying to find another buyer. It’s also possible that the listing agent made a mistake and took the house off the market before it was actually sold. If this happens, you may be able to reach out to the agent and see if they would be willing to relist the property.
Lastly, it’s possible that the sellers received multiple offers and decided to accept one of them. In this case, the house would go from pending to under contract very quickly and would then be taken off the market.
Can a seller accept another offer while under contract?
The answer to this question is a bit complicated. If the buyers have already signed the contract, then the sellers are not legally allowed to accept another offer. However, if the contract has not yet been signed, then the sellers may be able to accept another offer. It’s important to note that even if the contract has not been signed, the buyers may still be able to back out of the deal if they find out that the sellers have accepted another offer.
For this reason, it’s generally not advisable for sellers to accept another offer while they are already under contract. If you’re a buyer and you’re concerned that this may happen, you can ask your real estate agent to include a clause in the contract stating that the sellers will not accept another offer.

What happens if a prospective buyer backs out of a pending offer?
If a prospective buyer backs out of a pending offer, the sellers are usually allowed to keep the earnest money deposit. This deposit is typically around one percent of the purchase price and is meant to show that the buyers are serious about purchasing the property. The sellers may also be able to sue the buyers for breach of contract. However, it’s important to note that this is not always successful and may not be worth pursuing if the amount in question is small.
If you’re a buyer…
who is thinking about backing out of a pending offer, you should first consult with your real estate agent or attorney. They will be able to advise you on whether or not it’s a good idea to proceed.
Pending status means…
that the contract is in the process of being finalized and that the deal is not yet complete. This can be a confusing stage for buyers, as they may feel like they are in limbo. However, there are a few things that buyers should keep in mind during this time.
First…
it’s important to remember that the sellers are still legally obligated to sell the property to you. This means that they cannot accept another offer or back out of the deal themselves.
Additionally…
you will likely have already paid earnest money at this point. This is a deposit that is meant to show your seriousness about purchasing the property and is typically around one percent of the purchase price. If you’re a buyer who is in the pending stage, it’s important to stay in communication with your real estate agent. They will be able to provide you with updates on the status of the deal and answer any questions that you may have.

How long does it take for a house to go from pending to sold?
The answer to this question depends on a few different factors. In some cases, the deal may fall through and the house will go back on the market.
However…
if everything goes smoothly, it usually takes around 30-60 days for a house to go from pending to sold. This timeline can vary depending on the type of loan that the buyers are using and how quickly they are able to get their financing in order. If you’re a buyer who is in the pending stage, it’s important to be patient and remember that there are a lot of moving parts. Real estate agents will be able to provide you with updates and let you know what to expect next.
Pending home sales can be confusing
Pending can be a confusing stage of the home buying process, but it’s important to remember that you are still under contract at this point. The sellers cannot back out and you usually have already paid earnest money. If you have any questions, be sure to ask your real estate agent for guidance.
Real estate agents can help
Working with experienced real estate agents is key when buying a property that is already in the pending stage. They will help guide you through the process and due diligence to ensure everything goes as planned.
Sale Pending Real Estate [The Bottom Line]
Now that you know what sale pending means in real estate, it’s time to put this knowledge to use. If you’re interested in a
property that is already under contract, reach out to the listing agent and see if they would be willing to relist the property.
Or, if you’re not as attached to a specific property, search for homes that have already sold. Whichever route you choose,
remember to work with an experienced real estate agent who can help guide you through the process.

What Do You Think?
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Disclosure : I wrote these articles myself, and they express my honest opinion. I’m not receiving compensation for writing them, and I have no business relationship with any company mentioned in my articles.
Additional Disclosure : This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute an offer, solicitation, or recommendation to sell or an offer to purchase any securities, investment products, or investment advisory services. Investing includes risks, including loss of principal. Since I’m not a tax advisory firm, I refer all general tax-related real estate questions from passive investors back to their accountants. The information should not be taken as legal advice. You should always consult with an attorney to ensure that you are in compliance with all local, state, and federal laws.