How to Make a Backup Offer

If you think a home marked “sale pending” is off-limits, think again. Yes, this label means that the buyer and seller have negotiated an accepted purchase contract, but things happen—and sales can fall through. For that reason, there’s no harm in making a backup offer.

If a buyer is in love with a particular home that happens to be pending, why not give it a shot?

So don’t let go of that dream house just yet. Here’s what you need to know on making a backup offer If the original deal falls through and you’re next in line—you could end up nabbing the home you were pining for all along. Sweet!

Why would a pending home sale fall through?

Even after all the work that a buyer and seller went through to create the contract, sales can still fall through.

The contract often contains contingencies that can kill a transaction if they’re not met. Common examples are contingencies related to the following:

• Inspections: A sagging foundation, leaking roof, or other big-ticket repair items could kill the deal.
• Appraisal: If a home is appraised under the sale price, the financing can fall through if the buyer isn’t able to make up the difference.
• Buyer’s loan approval: If a potential buyer is only pre-qualified, rather than pre-approved, the financing might not materialize.

Another common reason is a bit simpler: buyer’s remorse. Maybe an expected promotion didn’t come through or the buyer decided she didn’t like the open-plan kitchen after all. Truth be told, there are a million reasons buyers get cold feet and change their minds.

Reasons to make a backup offer

Some potential buyers are in a better position than others to wait it out. If you relate to one of these conditions, making a backup offer is a good idea:

• You’re not under a time constraint—such as the desire to be settled before the start of the school year. If a buyer is in a hurry, it might not be feasible to wait a month or longer to see if the initial contract falls through.
• Inventory is particularly tight, and there’s nothing else in your price range that’s tempting. Sometimes it’s best to wait and see on the house you love, rather than jump on something else that isn’t quite right.
• The listing agent is able to give you some intel about the house that leads you to believe the other buyers might get cold feet or that there are contingencies.

How to make a winning backup offer

If you and your agent decide to put together a backup offer, here are a few touches that can help turn the tables in your favor:

Money talks. Present a clean offer, complete with mortgage pre-approval and proof of funds. If you are able to, offer over asking price.

• Be flexible. Are you willing to give them extra time to enjoy the holidays in their home, or forgo minor repairs that others might insist on? Some sellers might appreciate benefits other than cold, hard cash.
• Write a letter. You never know when a personal touch might resonate with the sellers. Tell them how much you’re looking forward to raising a family in their family home or entertaining in their amazing dining room.
• Stay visible. You want the sellers’ agent to know you’re ready to move when they are. Have your agent be in frequent touch to ensure you are on their radar should anything change.

The bottom line: Never say never when a sale is pending. With a little determination and luck, that house could be yours.