In real estate, pending status means the seller has accepted a buyer’s offer and the home sale is actively moving through the final stages of the transaction. The property is no longer being marketed to new buyers, and both parties are moving toward closing. 

At this point, the seller has accepted an offer, but ownership has not officially transferred. The sale is still considered open until all remaining conditions are satisfied and closing is complete.

In simple terms, pending means the deal is well underway — but not finished.

Once a property is listed as pending, the transaction enters a phase where remaining details are verified and finalized. This period helps protect both the buyer and seller by confirming the home’s condition, value and legal status.

During this stage of the process, buyers and sellers typically work through: 

• Home inspection contingency timelines, where the home is professionally evaluated 

• Appraisal contingency requirements to confirm the property’s market value 

• Title searches to ensure there are no ownership disputes or liens 

• Final mortgage approval and underwriting

• Scheduling and preparing for closing
   

These steps are standard in most real estate transactions and are designed to reduce surprises before the sale becomes official. 

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While the terms are often used interchangeably, pending and contingent describe different points in the transaction timeline. 

A contingent listing means the seller has accepted a buyer’s offer, but the agreement depends on specific conditions being met. This is known as contingency status, and it signals that the deal still carries more uncertainty.

Common contingencies include: 

• Home inspections 

• Appraisal approval 

• Buyer financing 

• Sale of an existing home 

• If one or more contingencies are not satisfied, the deal falls through.

A home typically moves to pending status after most contingencies have been resolved. This indicates the transaction is further along and the risk of cancellation is lower, though not eliminated. 

In some situations, yes. Even after a home goes pending, sellers may still allow showings or accept backup offers.

A seller may choose to continue to show a pending property if:

• Financing approval is still in progress 

• Key contingencies are unresolved 

• They want a backup option in case the sale falls apart 

Backup offers provide sellers with flexibility and reduce downtime if the original buyer exits the deal. 

A kick-out clause allows the seller to accept another buyer’s offer if the first buyer does not meet agreed-upon conditions within a certain timeframe. The original buyer is typically given a short window to remove contingencies or proceed to closing.

This clause is more common in competitive markets and should be reviewed carefully with a real estate professional.

Yes. Although most pending transactions do reach closing, it’s still possible for a sale falls scenario to occur. 

A pending home sale may fall through due to: 

• Significant inspection findings 

• A low appraisal that cannot be renegotiated 

• Loan denial or changes in buyer finances 

• Buyer withdrawal within contract allowances 

• When these issues arise, the transaction may be canceled. 

If the deal falls, the seller may: 

• Relist the home as active 

• Return it to contingent status 

• Accept a previously submitted backup offer 

The outcome for earnest money depends on contract terms and whether contingencies were met at the time of cancellation. 

For buyers, seeing a home marked as pending can feel discouraging, but it doesn’t always mean the opportunity is gone. 

Buyers may still: 

• Submit a backup buyer’s offer 

• Monitor the listing in case it returns to active status 

• Focus on strengthening their financing position 

Experienced real estate agents can help buyers evaluate whether pursuing a pending property makes sense. 

For sellers, pending status confirms that pricing, marketing and timing aligned with buyer demand. However, the transaction still requires attention until closing is complete.

Sellers should remain engaged by: 

• Responding quickly to inspection requests 

• Addressing appraisal concerns 

• Preparing documentation for closing

Active participation helps prevent delays and keeps the transaction on track.

While terminology varies by market, these terms generally mean:

• Active: The home is listed and accepting offers 

• Under contract: An offer has been accepted, but the status may include contingencies 

• Pending: The transaction is nearing completion with most conditions satisfied 

Understanding these distinctions helps buyers and sellers follow listings more accurately. 

Pending status signals meaningful progress in a real estate transaction. The seller has accepted an offer, key steps are underway and the deal is moving toward closing. 

While a pending sale can still fall through, most proceed to completion. With knowledgeable guidance and solid preparation, buyers and sellers can move through this phase with confidence and clarity.