Redfin

JUNE 11, 2025

In this article: Home inspection contingency Appraisal contingency Financing contingency Title contingency Home sale contingency Home insurance contingency Kick-out clause FAQs about contingencies in real estate 1. This real estate contingency protects buyers from overpaying and lenders from financing more than the home is worth.

Purchase and sale agreement

Redfin

JUNE 30, 2025

Key takeaways: In most home purchases, the buyer’s agent delivers the offer to the seller’s agent, who then presents it to the seller If you don’t have an agent, you must submit the offer yourself—ideally with help from a real estate attorney. When you’re ready to make an offer on a home , it’s a big moment.

Earnest money deposit

HomeLight

JUNE 29, 2022

As interest rates start increasing, as they are right now in 2022 , sellers may not have as many backup offers to consider as they would when rates were low. Price your house right to attract competitive offers. Require a sizable earnest money deposit. You’ll need to return the buyer’s earnest money deposit.

Earnest money deposit

Realty Biz

NOVEMBER 11, 2020

They will also get their earnest money deposit back , and the home will go back on the market. The Mortgage Financing Contingency. Maybe they have an unsubstantiated cash deposit ? In real estate jargon, this is referred to as a “backup offer.” These appraisal tips will help.

Backup offer

HomeLight

SEPTEMBER 16, 2022

The home will revert to “option pending” on the market and sellers can only accept backup offers during this time. The buyer would still receive back the earnest money deposit (EMD) placed down at signing, usually between 1% and 3% of the sale price. How much is a typical option period fee? Is this refundable?

Option period

RIS Media

MAY 19, 2021

The contingent status typically allows the home to be shown to other possible buyers, allowing backup offers to be made. Financing or Mortgage Contingencies. The majority of homebuyers use a mortgage to finance their purchases. Financing problems delay closing in around a third of all real estate transactions.

Purchase and sale agreement

HomeLight

OCTOBER 20, 2020

If you’ve accepted an offer that is contingent on a home sale and you have added a kick-out clause, your home should be listed with a status such as “Contingent With Kickout. This tells other buyers that the home is still available for showings and backup offers. It’s not instant.

Backup offer