You got an offer—congratulations! But wait, it says "contingent on the sale of buyer's current home." What does that actually mean? And should you accept it or wait for something better?

Let's break down how contingent offers work in Indiana and when they make sense for sellers.

What Is a Contingent Offer?

A contingent offer means the buyer's purchase depends on certain conditions being met. Common contingencies include:

Home Sale Contingency
The buyer must sell their current home before they can buy yours. This is the riskiest for sellers because your timeline depends on someone else's sale.

Financing Contingency
The buyer must secure a mortgage. If they can't get approved or rates change drastically, they can back out. Most offers have this.

 

Inspection Contingency
The buyer can back out or renegotiate based on inspection results. Standard in almost every transaction.

Appraisal Contingency
If the home doesn't appraise for the agreed price, the buyer can walk or renegotiate. Also very common.

Should You Accept a Contingent Offer?

Liz Marks-Strauss, REALTOR BROKER at FC Tucker Company with over 400 homes sold, helps sellers evaluate contingent offers regularly. Here's her advice:

Accept If:

  • The buyer's home is already under contract or close to selling
  • The market is slower and you don't have other offers
  • The buyer is otherwise strong (solid financing, large earnest deposit)
  • You're not in a rush and can afford to wait

Negotiate If:

 

  • You want a "kick-out clause" that lets you accept backup offers and give the contingent buyer 72 hours to perform
  • You want proof their home is actively listed and priced competitively
  • You need a firm timeline for when their contingency expires

Decline If:

  • You have non-contingent offers on the table
  • The buyer's home isn't even listed yet
  • You're in a hot market like Carmel or Fishers where clean offers are common

Liz Marks-Strauss real estate experience includes structuring contingent deals that protect sellers while keeping transactions moving. "I had a seller in Westfield with a contingent offer. We negotiated a 21-day kick-out clause, kept marketing the home, and ended up getting a stronger non-contingent offer. The kick-out clause gave us flexibility without gambling on the first buyer."

The Bottom Line

Contingent offers aren't automatically bad—they just require careful evaluation. As a 12-year veteran real estate agent, Liz Marks-Strauss knows how to assess buyer strength, structure protective clauses, and help you make smart decisions.

 

In buying in Indianapolis IN 2025, contingencies are normal. The key is understanding which ones protect buyers legitimately vs. which ones put you at unnecessary risk.

With 54 Google 5-star reviews and deep knowledge of home values in Indianapolis IN, Liz Marks-Strauss ensures you're never flying blind.

 

Contact Liz Marks-Strauss at FC Tucker Company | 317-502-3358 | www.HeyMomImHome.com for a FREE 2025 Market Strategy Session