Active contingent meaning

Definition of Active Contingent

When a home is listed as "Active Contingent" or "Active with Contingencies," it means the seller has accepted an offer from a buyer and a Purchase and Sale Agreement exists, but that certain conditions (or contingencies) must be satisfied before the sale can be finalized. These conditions may include a home inspection or getting approved for a mortgage loan. Once these conditions are met, the home is no longer listed as Active Contingent. In certain areas, Active Contingent is also known as Active CAPA (can accept purchase agreement). What is the difference between contingent and pending?

When searching the market for a new home, you’ll run across properties in several states of activity. What do you do when the home you’re interested in is marked as “contingent” or “pending”? What’s the difference between the two, and what are your options for making an offer?

What Is Contingent?

When a property is marked as contingent, an offer has been accepted by the seller. Contingent deals are still active listings because they are liable to fall out of contract if requested provisions are not met. If all goes well, contingent deals will advance to a pending state.