Saw a home flip from active to contingent and wondered if you still have a shot? You are not alone. In Plymouth and across the South Shore, these status labels can decide whether you pursue a property or pivot fast. In the next few minutes, you will learn what contingent and pending really mean here, how they affect showings and offers, and how to use them to your advantage as a buyer or seller. Let’s dive in.
Contingent vs pending: what they mean
A listing marked contingent means the seller accepted an offer, but one or more contract contingencies still need to be satisfied. Common examples include the inspection, financing, appraisal, or the buyer’s sale-of-home. Until those are cleared, the buyer can usually withdraw under the contract terms.
A pending listing means the major contingencies have been removed and the sale is moving toward closing. At this stage, tasks are mostly administrative, such as title work and lender conditions. While no sale is guaranteed until closing, a pending property is generally considered committed.
How statuses work locally
Terminology can vary by MLS and brokerage. In most Massachusetts markets, including Plymouth County, agents keep a home as contingent while contingencies are open and sometimes continue showings or accept backup offers. Once contingencies are removed, agents move the listing to pending or under agreement.
Because practices differ, the best way to confirm a property’s situation is to review the MLS notes or have your agent contact the listing agent directly. That quick check can reveal whether backup offers are welcome or if showings are paused.
Common contingencies on the South Shore
- Home inspection: Lets you inspect and negotiate repairs or cancel if serious issues are found.
- Financing: Your purchase depends on securing a mortgage commitment by a set date.
- Appraisal: The property must appraise at or above the price, or you address any gap.
- Sale-of-home: Your purchase depends on selling your current home. In hot markets, this is often less competitive.
- Title: Requires clear, marketable title before closing.
- Attorney review: In New England, attorneys commonly review the purchase and sale agreement.
Local factors to watch
- Title 5 septic: Many Plymouth-area homes are on septic systems. Buyers often require a passing Title 5 inspection before closing, and lenders may as well. Plan time for inspection and any required work.
- Coastal and flood: Waterfront and near-shore properties may prompt flood-zone review, insurance quotes, and sometimes evaluation of shoreline structures. Get this clarity early.
- Private wells: For homes on wells, buyers often include water quality and yield testing.
- Local permitting: If a home includes additions or specialty uses, buyers may ask for municipal confirmation that work was permitted or compliant.
Typical timelines in Plymouth County
These are common ranges and always negotiable:
- Inspection window: about 7 to 14 days after signing the purchase and sale.
- Mortgage commitment: about 21 to 30 days to secure financing and remove the mortgage contingency.
- Appraisal process: usually follows loan application and lender timelines.
- Title and closing: varies by lender and attorney scheduling.
Shorter timelines can strengthen an offer, but only if you can meet them with confidence.
What contingent means for buyers
Seeing a contingent home does not necessarily end your chances. Many sellers will consider a backup offer. If the primary buyer fails to satisfy contingencies, your backup can move into first position without going back to market.
Before you write, ask your agent to learn which contingencies remain, when they are due, and whether the seller is still allowing showings. A contract tied to a sale-of-home contingency is less certain than one waiting only on a routine financing milestone.
To compete, have strong documentation ready. A detailed pre-approval, clear contingency timelines, and proof of funds help the seller trust your backup. If you shorten contingency windows, be sure you understand the risk and have your team lined up.
What pending means for buyers
A pending home is often off the table for new primary offers. Some sellers will still accept a backup, but the odds of a pending deal falling apart are typically lower because major contingencies are already cleared.
If you love the property, a clean backup offer can be a smart move. It positions you next in line without the scramble of future bidding.
What contingent means for sellers
A contingent offer can be a solid path to closing when timelines are crisp and the buyer is qualified. Ask for a strong earnest money deposit, a pre-approval letter, and clear dates for removing inspection and mortgage contingencies.
Consider keeping the property marketed and accepting backups until contingencies are removed, if allowed and aligned with your strategy. Backup offers give you a safety net without renegotiating from scratch.
Moving to pending as a seller
Set specific, written deadlines for each contingency and require formal removal when complete. This reduces uncertainty and keeps your transaction on schedule. In a competitive market, prioritize offers with fewer contingencies, stronger financing, and larger deposits.
If the market cools, you can still protect yourself with firm timelines and backup offers while remaining open to reasonable buyer protections.
Buyer checklist: from browsing to offer
- Get a detailed mortgage pre-approval and organize proof of funds.
- Choose a local agent who understands Title 5, flood, and well considerations.
- For contingent or pending homes, ask about open contingencies and whether backups are accepted.
- Set realistic removal dates for inspection, septic, financing, and appraisal.
- If you shorten or waive protections, discuss risks with your agent and attorney first.
Seller checklist: managing a contingent sale
- Require pre-approval, earnest money, and defined contingency removal dates.
- Decide whether to allow showings and accept backup offers until contingencies clear.
- For septic or coastal properties, clarify how Title 5 and flood insurance will be handled.
- Work with your agent and attorney to set remedies for missed deadlines.
- If certainty matters most, favor offers with fewer contingencies and stronger terms.
Local insight matters
South Shore properties vary block by block. A Pinehills townhome, a Duxbury waterfront, and a classic Plymouth single-family can face very different septic, flood, or permitting questions. Reading status labels in this context helps you decide whether to pursue, wait, or pivot.
If you want a steady hand from offer through closing, connect with an advisor who blends local knowledge with careful transaction management. When you are ready, reach out to Leon Lopes for a quick conversation about your goals.
FAQs
What does contingent mean in Plymouth real estate?
- A seller accepted an offer, but contingencies like inspection, financing, or appraisal must be satisfied before the sale is committed.
Can I make a backup offer on a contingent home?
- Yes. You can submit a backup offer, and it becomes primary if the current buyer fails to meet their contingency deadlines.
What does pending mean for showings in Plymouth?
- Pending usually means major contingencies are removed and showings often stop, though each seller and brokerage may handle this differently.
Is a contingent offer considered weak in this market?
- Not necessarily. Strength depends on your financing, deposit, contingency type, and timelines; a well-structured contingent offer can be competitive.
Who confirms that contingencies are removed?
- The purchase contract outlines procedures and deadlines, and removal typically happens in writing by the buyer, sometimes with lender documentation.
Are there Massachusetts-specific contingencies I should expect?
- Title 5 septic, flood insurance review for coastal areas, well water testing where applicable, and attorney review of the purchase and sale are common on the South Shore.