Contingent vs. Pending: What’s the Difference?

In real estate, small words can mean big things. “Contingent” and “pending” might sound similar, but they signal two very different stages of a home sale. Here’s what each one really means.

Real Estate Listings: What Do Contingent and Pending Mean?

When you’re browsing homes for sale, you might spot listings marked “Contingent” or “Pending.” While these might seem like technical terms, they reveal a lot about where a deal stands — and whether you can still make an offer.
In simple terms, “contingent” means a seller has accepted an offer, but there are conditions that need to be fulfilled before the deal can close. On the other hand, “pending” means those conditions have been met and the sale is just waiting to be finalized.
Let’s break down the differences and how they affect your chances of buying the property.

What Does Contingent Mean in Real Estate?

When a house is listed as contingent, it means that the seller has accepted an offer from a buyer, but certain conditions (or contingencies) must be met for the deal to move forward. These could include:

• Financing approval
• Home inspection results
• Sale of the buyer’s existing home

While the home is technically “under contract,” it’s not a done deal. Other buyers may still be allowed to view the property or submit backup offers in case the first deal falls through.
Contingent deals are more likely to collapse than pending ones, which is why some buyers choose to pursue them — especially in hot markets with limited inventory.

Common Contingent Statuses in Canada

Short Sale Contingency

In a short sale, the seller is trying to sell the home for less than what’s owed on the mortgage. Even if the seller accepts an offer, the lender must approve the deal. Many short sale contingencies fall apart if the lender refuses the terms.

Probate Contingency

This happens when a home is being sold as part of an estate. If the deceased owner’s will is being contested, or the court hasn’t authorized the sale, the deal can’t close until those legal issues are resolved.

Continue to Show Contingency

The seller has accepted an offer, but the home remains available for showings and backup offers because the buyer still has conditions to meet.

No-Show Contingency

Here, the seller accepts an offer and chooses not to show the home to other potential buyers. This usually means they’re confident the current deal will close.

Kick-Out Clause

Some contingent offers come with a deadline. If the buyer doesn’t meet their conditions by a certain date (e.g., securing financing), the seller can “kick them out” and accept another offer.

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When a listing moves to pending, it means that all contingencies have been resolved or waived, and the sale is close to completion. It’s a stronger status than contingent, and in most cases, the seller is no longer accepting new offers.
However, there are still different types of pending statuses:

Even though all contingencies are met, the seller is still accepting backup offers. This could be because they’re nervous about closing, or the buyer has requested a longer closing timeline.

This is a deal that’s already been approved by the seller and submitted to the bank. Now it’s just waiting for final approval from the lender.

If a deal has been pending for more than four months, the listing system may flag it automatically. The delay could be due to financing issues, probate complications, or simple human error (like the agent forgetting to update the status).

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make an offer on a house that’s contingent?
Yes, in most cases you can. But it depends on the type of contingency. Your offer may be placed as a backup.
Can I make an offer on a pending home?
Usually no. Once a property is marked pending, it’s unlikely that the seller is considering other offers.
What’s riskier: contingent or pending?
Contingent deals are more likely to fall apart, so if you’re hoping to step in, these are better bets than pending ones.

Final Thoughts

Understanding the difference between contingent and pending can help you avoid wasting time on homes that are already spoken for — or help you spot a golden opportunity.
If you fall in love with a home that’s contingent, don’t be afraid to make a backup offer. And if it’s pending? Keep an eye on it, but consider other options.
At Mortgage.Expert, we help buyers navigate the market with confidence. Whether you’re chasing a hot listing or preparing for pre-approval, our advisors are here to support your homeownership journey every step of the way.

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