What Does a Pending Deal Mean in Terms of Real Estate?

Are you buying or selling a home and heard the term “pending deal?” What does this mean, and why is it significant? When a home is listed for sale, buyers make offers, and once the seller accepts, a contract is written and executed. This contract comes with various contingencies, including a pending status. We will explore what a pending status means and how it affects home buyers, renters, sellers, and visitors.

What does pending status mean?

A pending status means that an offer has been made on the property, and the seller has accepted the offer. However, the deal is not yet final as there are still contingencies to be met before the sale can close. Contingencies may include a home inspection, financing, and appraisal. These contingencies must be met before the sale can close. Until then, the property is considered to be in a pending status.

What happens during the pending period?

During the pending period, the buyer will perform any necessary due diligenc. That may include scheduling a home inspection and appraisal. The home inspection may uncover defects or issues that need to be resolved, usually resulting in another round of negotiations. The buyer may also need to obtain financing for the purchase. Pending status lasts until all contingencies are met, and the sale is ready to close.

Why is pending status important to buyers?

When a property is in a pending status, it is no longer available for sale. If you’re looking to buy a property and see it listed as pending, you can still make an offer. It’s possible that the seller won’t consider it until the current pending deal falls through. It’s rare for a seller to accept another offer while their property is in pending status unless the initial offer falls through.

What about sellers?

For sellers, a pending deal is a good sign that their property will sell soon. However, the deal is not final until all contingencies are met, and the sale is closed. There is always a chance that the buyer may back out during the pending period if they are unable to meet the contingencies. For this reason, sellers can still accept backup offers. A backup offer is a secondary offer from a different buyer, just in case the initial pending deal falls through.

What about renters and visitors?

For renters, a pending deal doesn’t affect them unless they are interested in buying the property they are renting. Visitors who are considering buying a home can use pending status as a way to gauge the level of competition in the market. If a property is pending within a few days of being listed, it means that the market is hot, and buyers must act quickly to make an offer.

If you’re buying or selling a home, then understanding what pending status means is essential. Buyers should be aware that a pending status means that the property is no longer available for sale. Sellers should know that the deal is not final until all contingencies are met, and they can still accept backup offers. The decision to accept backup offers is ultimately up to the seller, and they are under no obligation to do so. Pending deals may be a sign that the property will sell soon, but there is no guarantee until all contingencies are met, and the sale is finalized.

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