Before I got into real estate, I was just like a lot of buyers—scrolling listings, touring homes, and trying to make sense of all the words being thrown at me. I’d see “pending,” “contingent,” “active contingent,” and wonder, aren’t these basically the same thing? Honestly, it felt like learning a new language.

Over time, I realized they aren’t the same at all—and knowing the difference matters when you're house hunting.

In this blog post, I’ll help you understand what each status really means and what you should do if you come across one while browsing homes.

What does contingent mean when buying a house

When a home is marked as contingent, it means the seller has accepted an offer—but certain conditions still need to be met before the sale can go through. These conditions (called “contingencies”) vary, but they often include things like the buyer securing financing, the home passing inspection, or the buyer needing to sell their current home first.

Until those contingencies are cleared, the deal isn’t final. The home is under contract, yes, but it’s not a done deal. That’s important to know because it means there’s still a slim window where the home could come back on the market.

Here’s where things get interesting: sometimes, sellers decide to keep showing the home during this contingency period. That’s when you’ll see terms like “continue to show” or “active contingent” on the listing.

Can you buy a house that’s active contingent?

Technically, yes—but not in the usual way. You can’t swoop in and outbid the current buyer. But you can submit a backup offer in case that first deal falls through.

Clients are often surprised when I tell them that an active contingent still has an open house and we can tour it. But it makes sense, the seller is keeping their options open. If the first buyer’s deal falls through, the seller wants a backup lined up and ready.

Think of it like getting in line behind someone: you’re not first, but you’ll be next if they drop out.

What does it mean when a house is pending?

On the other hand, when a home is marked pending, that means the contingencies are all wrapped up. Financing is set, inspections are done, and the deal is moving toward the closing table. At that stage, the home really is off the market, and no more showings are happening.

The thing to remember is that online platforms don’t always show the most current status. In our Global MLS, status changes must be updated within 24 hours, but sites like Zillow or Realtor.com can lag behind. That’s why having an agent on your side is so valuable, you’ll always know if a home is still truly available or if you’re chasing something that’s already off the market.

Real estate terms can sound dry, but once you understand them, they stick.

So to recap:

Contingent = Seller accepted an offer, but conditions must be met.
Active Contingent = Same as above, but showings continue for backup offers.
Pending = Contingencies are cleared, and the home is on its way to closing.

Hopefully now, if you were at trivia night and got asked, “What does contingent mean when buying a house?” or “What does pending mean on a house?”—you’d be the one with the right answer.

And honestly, I think that’s part of my job: not just helping people buy or sell a home but helping make the process easy to understand and maybe even a little memorable along the way.