If you're interested in a property that's listed with an active contingent status, you may still be able to make an offer. While the initial offer will take precedence if all the contingencies are satisfied, making an offer can put you at the head of the line if the original deal falls through.
It is highly unlikely that the bank will accept a contingent sale. In some rare cases they will, depending on that particular property. It's best to contact the listing agent so they can help you and to see if there is a possibility of the bank accepting a contingency.
It's less likely you'll get a great deal when making an offer on a contingent home. In most cases, a contingent offer is high to encourage sellers to hold out if the closing process takes longer than anticipated.
Can you outbid a contingent offer? No, it's not possible to outbid a contingent offer. The seller has already accepted an offer while waiting for certain conditions to be satisfied before closing. However, some sellers will accept backup bids while engaged in a contingent offer.
A contingency clause should clearly outline the conditions, how the conditions are to be fulfilled, and which party is responsible for fulfilling them. The clause should also provide a timeframe for what happens if the condition is not met.
You can still make an offer on a home if it's listed as contingent or pending, but you should consider where the property is in the process to determine the likelihood of your offer being accepted.
If the offer hasn't been executed by both sides, the seller can totally keep showing and negotiating other offers. If it has been executed by both parties, they can continue to entertain other offers as ``back up'' offers, in case the original offer dies for one reason or another.
In most cases, putting an offer in on a contingent home is an option to consider. Although it doesn't guarantee you'll close on the home, it does mean you could be first in line should the current contract fall through. Putting an offer in on a contingent home is similar to the homebuying process of any active listing.
Contingent offers have higher rates of falling through and as a seller you very well run the risk of losing out on non contingent buyers.
It won't hurt anything to look at a house listed as contingent. Nor will it hurt to submit a backup offer, if possible. That said, you should anticipate the original contract going through to close.