Why agents care
Move-up buyers often face a choice between a contingent offer, buying first with bridge financing, or selling first. Showing the numbers for each helps them choose.
Glossary term
Home sale contingency
A home sale contingency makes a buyer's purchase conditional on selling their existing home, usually by a set date. It protects the buyer from owning two homes but weakens the offer, so sellers in competitive markets often reject it or add a kick-out clause.
Example
Example: a buyer offers on a $600,000 home contingent on selling their current home within 45 days. The seller accepts with a 72-hour kick-out clause if another offer arrives.
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Questions by topic
Home sale contingency: common questions
Are contingent offers weaker?
Usually, especially in competitive markets, because the sale may fall through.
What's a kick-out clause?
A clause letting the seller keep marketing the home and give the buyer a short window to remove the contingency if a better offer arrives.
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