As a professional, I have written an article on what “contract pending” means in real estate. Please find the article below.
What Does “Contract Pending” Mean in Real Estate?
If you`re house hunting or looking to sell your home, you may have come across the term “contract pending” in real estate listings. But what exactly does this term mean, and how does it impact your real estate transaction? In this article, we`ll explain what “contract pending” means and what you should know about it.
What is Contract Pending?
When a real estate listing shows “contract pending”, it means that the seller has accepted an offer from a buyer, but the sale has not yet been finalized. This means that the seller is not accepting any additional offers on the property until the contract is either approved or terminated.
During the pending period, the buyer typically has a certain number of days to perform inspections, obtain financing, and complete any other contingencies outlined in the contract. If everything proceeds smoothly, the sale will proceed to closing and the property will change hands.
However, if the buyer is unable to meet the terms of the contract, or if the inspection reveals significant issues with the property, the sale may be terminated. In this case, the property will be back on the market and available for new offers.
How Long Does Contract Pending Last?
The length of time that a property is under contract pending can vary depending on a variety of factors. In some cases, this period may last only a few days, while in others it may last several weeks or even months.
Some of the factors that can impact the length of time that a contract is pending include the complexity of the transaction, the number of contingencies included in the contract, and the amount of time it takes to complete the inspection and financing process.
What Should Buyers and Sellers Know About Contract Pending?
For buyers and sellers, understanding the meaning of “contract pending” is important for managing expectations and making informed decisions about real estate transactions.
Buyers should be aware that once a property has entered into contract pending status, they may not be able to make an offer on that property until the deal with the current buyer has either been approved or terminated. It`s also important for buyers to understand the timeline for inspections, financing, and other contingencies outlined in the contract, and to work closely with their real estate agent to ensure that these steps are completed in a timely manner.
Sellers should also be aware that once they have accepted an offer and the property is in contract pending status, they are generally not able to accept any new offers on the property. However, it`s important for sellers to work closely with their real estate agent to ensure that the buyer is able to complete the transaction in a timely manner, and to be prepared for the possibility that the sale may fall through.
In conclusion, contract pending is a term used in real estate to describe a property that has accepted an offer from a buyer but has not yet been finalized. Buyers and sellers should be aware of the implications of this status and work closely with their real estate agent to ensure a successful transaction.