Technically, yes — a seller can back out of a contingent offer. Before agreeing, they can choose to reject or counter the original offer with their own terms. Once the offer is accepted, if the contingencies aren't met, the seller can back out but there may be legal or financial implications involved.
The buyer has to provide one, or more, signed Contingency Removal forms. Each one removing, or more, of the contract contingencies. Once the buyer has removed all of them in writing, they may no longer receive a refund of their deposit.
In another scenario, the buyer may need to exercise the appraisal contingency because the property received a lower appraisal. Either scenario can cause a sale to fall through. When a property is listed as pending, that means all contingencies have been satisfied, and the buyer is preparing to close on the property.
Removing Contingencies The buyer has to provide one, or more, signed Contingency Removal forms. Each one removing, or more, of the contract contingencies. Once the buyer has removed all of them in writing, they may no longer receive a refund of their deposit.
Appraisal contingency example This means you're looking to get a mortgage for the remaining $310,000. If the home is appraised for $290,000, however, the lender will only approve a mortgage up to that appraised value.
Contingency clauses “safeguard buyers and sellers by giving them the right to cancel a contract if the terms aren't met,” says Carlos Del Rio, a real estate attorney in Chicago. One common example is when one or both parties need to wrap up other real estate deals in order for the transaction to close.
Contingent contracts usually occur when negotiating parties fail to reach an agreement. The contract is characterized as "contingent" because the terms are not final and are based on certain events or conditions occurring. A contingent contract can also be viewed as protection against a future change of plans.
(a) "Contingency," as used in this subpart, means a possible future event or condition arising from presently known or unknown causes, the outcome of which is indeterminable at the present time.
Contingent literally means “depending on certain circumstances.” When a house is listed as contingent, the buyer has made an offer and had their offer accepted by the seller. However, before the deal is complete, some conditions must be met.