How to Make a Contingent Offer Sellers Will Accept
Worried you can’t buy your next home until you sell your current one? You’re not stuck. Sellers accept well-structured contingent offers—when they see you have a solid plan to close on time.
Let me show you exactly how to structure your offer so sellers say yes.
What Sellers Are Really Worried About
The Problem Isn’t Price—It’s Uncertainty
When you submit a contingent offer, here’s what runs through the seller’s mind:
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“What if this buyer’s home doesn’t sell?”
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“Will we be stuck waiting for 60 days?”
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“Do we have to start over if their sale falls through?”
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“Are we missing out on other qualified buyers?”
This is why sellers pass on contingent offers that look risky—even when the price is competitive.
But here’s what most buyers don’t realize: The issue isn’t whether your offer is contingent—it’s whether you are prepared to close on time.
Let me show you three ways to structure your offer so sellers see you’re ready to close.
Three Contingent Offer Strategies That Work
List with Protections
List your home now with a built-in protection: the sale is contingent on you finding your next home first. We can also negotiate an extended closing date or a rent-back period—giving you several months to search.
Once your home is under contract, you know exactly how much equity you’ll have. This puts you in a stronger position when making offers—sellers see you’re already in escrow and just need to close.
The advantage: You’re actively attracting buyers while searching for your next home. Between extended closing dates and rent-back options, we can often negotiate 2-4 months to find the right property.
When to use it: When you want to test the market and lock in your sale price while still having time to find your next home.
Get Ready, Wait
Get your home 100% ready to list—paperwork complete, photos taken, marketing prepared—but don’t activate the listing until you’ve found your next home.
Meanwhile, you get pre-approved for financing. Based on your estimated sale proceeds and pre-approval, we establish your realistic budget and begin searching. When you find the right home and your offer is accepted, we immediately activate your listing.
The advantage: You’re not committed to moving until you know where you’re going. No risk of being caught between homes or scrambling for temporary housing.
When to use it:When you want maximum control over timing and refuse to commit to selling until your next home is secured.
Strong Contingent Offer
If you need to make an offer before your home sells, strengthen every other aspect of your offer:
✓ Larger earnest money
✓ Shorter inspection period
✓ Flexible closing date
✓ Pre-listing inspection completed on your home
✓ Strong pre-approval – local lender
✓ Professional marketing plan already in place
The advantage: A well-structured, organized offer from a motivated buyer can beat weaker non-contingent offers. One strong offer beats three weak offers.
When to use it: When you’re competing against other buyers or when you’ve found a home you can’t afford to lose.
Which Strategy Is Right for You?
Each of these strategies addresses the seller’s concerns—they just do it in different ways. The right choice depends on your timeline, your comfort level, and how competitive the market is for the home you want.
Choose “List with Protections” if:
- You want to know your exact sale price before committing to buy
- You’re comfortable having your home on the market while you search
- You need several months to find the right property
- You want to test the market and see what buyers will pay
Choose “Get Ready, Wait” if:
- You want maximum control over your timeline
- You don’t want to commit to selling until you know where you’re going
- You’re willing to wait for the right home before listing
- You want to avoid temporary housing or storage
Choose “Strong Bumpable Offer” if:
- You’ve already found the home you want
- You’re competing against other buyers
- You’re willing to strengthen your offer with larger earnest money and shorter timelines
- You can get your home ready to list quickly
Still not sure? That’s completely normal. Most people need to talk through their specific situation—what’s realistic for your home’s timeline, what properties you’re looking at, how competitive those neighborhoods are.
Let’s walk through it together. Schedule a consultation and we’ll figure out which approach makes the most sense for you.
Let’s Talk About Your Situation
Coordinating two transactions can feel overwhelming—especially when you’re trying to figure out which strategy fits your timeline, your budget, and the homes you’re looking at.
Most people need to talk through the specifics: What’s realistic for your home’s sale timeline? Which neighborhoods are competitive right now? How do we structure an offer that sellers will accept?
That’s exactly what we’ll cover in a free 20-minute consultation. No pressure, no sales pitch—just a conversation about your specific situation and which approach makes the most sense.
What Our Customers Say
Hear from our satisfied customers who have experienced the quality of our service.
In my case, I was moving to the Portland area from Seattle. Jim was very knowledgeable about the various neighborhoods and savvy about what to look for with the various listings. In addition, given the market and my price point, this effort took a while. Jim was patient, encouraging, accommodating and steadfast. I couldn’t have done it without him. I recommend him wholeheartedly.
Brigitta Remole
Jim helped my husband and I purchase our new home and sell our old home, both in Vancouver. We appreciated Jim’s calm demeanor and pragmatic guidance throughout both transactions. He patiently answered our questions and kept us well informed at every stage. Jim exemplifies integrity and professionalism at its best. We will continue to highly recommend him. Thanks, Jim!
Ellen Jones
Jim is the best broker I’ve met in my life. He is very knowledgeable in his craft and he cares to create relationships. Unlike most brokers, he doesn’t just try to get you to buy as fast as possible, he cares to find the best house you could have. He listened to the details that mattered to me (and boy was the list long), he nervously said let’s find you the perfect house, and he did! He grasped my style/taste right away, which I think is very important to keep efficient and not waste time in the search. He’s honest, friendly, funny, and a delight to work with. Couldn’t recommend him enough.
Naira Avy
Common Questions About Contingent Offers
Will Sellers Accept Contingent Offers?
Yes—when your offer shows you’re prepared and can close on time. Sellers evaluate contingent offers based on how ready you are: realistic pricing on your current home, marketing already in place, and a clear plan to close both transactions.
The key is reducing the seller’s perceived risk. A well-structured contingent offer often beats a weaker non-contingent offer.
How Should I Price My Home for a Contingent Offer?
Price to sell quickly without leaving money on the table. For contingent offers, speed matters as much as price.
We analyze recent sales, current competition, and how fast homes are moving in your neighborhood. The goal is finding the price point that attracts serious buyers within your contingency timeline while still giving you the equity you need for your next purchase.
Should I Make Repairs Before a Contingent Offer?
Focus on repairs that help your home sell fast—not major renovations. Address obvious maintenance issues, improve curb appeal, and make spaces feel clean and move-in ready.
Skip the big projects. The goal is selling within your contingency timeline, not chasing upgrades that might pay off later.
How Long Do I Have to Sell My Home?
Contingency periods typically range from 30 to 60 days, depending on your market and what the seller accepts. The key isn’t getting the longest timeline—it’s getting a realistic one that matches how quickly your home can actually sell.
If your home doesn’t sell within the contingency period, we’ll have a backup plan in place—whether that’s negotiating an extension or exploring alternatives.
How Do I Sell and Buy at the Same Time?
You have two main approaches: List with Protections (sell first with a contingency to find your next home) or Get Ready, Wait (prepare your home to list, then activate once you find your next place).
Both strategies reduce your risk of ending up without a home. The right choice depends on your timeline, financial situation, and how competitive your target market is.
We can walk through both strategies in a consultation and figure out which fits your situation.
What if my home doesn’t sell in time?
If your home doesn’t sell within the contingency period, you’re not trapped. We typically have three options: negotiate an extension with the seller, remove the contingency and proceed with both transactions, or cancel the purchase agreement. We’ll discuss these scenarios upfront so you know exactly what to expect.
Can I make an offer if my home isn’t listed yet?
Yes—that’s the “Strong Contingent Offer” strategy. You’ll need to show the seller your home is ready to list immediately (photos done, pricing set, marketing prepared). Sellers want to see you’re organized and can activate your listing within days, not weeks.