According to Clara Nicolosi, a broker and owner at Re/Max of Hot Springs Village, AK, “active with backup offers” is also known as “taking backup offers.” It's a scenario in which all parties allow the seller to continue advertising and entertaining additional offers, in case the first accepted offer falls through.
What does backup mean on a house for sale?
What Is A Backup Offer? In home buying, a backup offer is made in acknowledgment of an existing offer and ensures a contract with the seller if that first offer falls through. It's a legally binding contract that, if accepted by the seller, will put you next in line to purchase the home should the first buyer back out.
Why would a seller accept backup offers?
Backup offers are accepted when a seller is uncertain that a property transaction will close, especially when they need to sell the home quickly. They're also commonly used in a seller's market, where sellers hold more power than buyers.
Is it normal for sellers to accept backup offers?
Yes, they do! Backup gives are pretty common. In many actual property deals, something occurs which reasons a client to return out. With so few homes to be had in today's market, consumers may be in a backup provide function if the primary agreement fails.
How do I cancel a backup offer?
- If the primary contract falls through, your contract will become the primary contract.
- As long as you are in backup position and pay your option fee you can terminate the backup offer by notifiying the seller's agent in writing and receive your earnest money back.
Do backup offers ever get accepted?





Last year, Cooper Kupp was @pschrags “guy." This year? Ladies and gentlemen, get to know the super-human, slam-dunking @TexasTechFB WR Dylan Cantrell @dylancantrell14 pic.twitter.com/Ox1tqe3oz0
— Good Morning Football (@gmfb) February 26, 2018
What is the difference between active and active contingent?
Active – The home is for sale, listed on the Multiple Listing Service (MLS). Contingent – The seller has accepted a conditional offer and the contingency or contingencies have not yet been removed.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I make a backup offer on a property?
- Money talks. Present a clean offer, complete with mortgage pre-approval and proof of funds.
- Be flexible.
- Write a letter.
- Stay visible.
Can the seller cancel the offer on offer up?
If necessary, its possible for a seller to cancel an offer they've accepted before shipping the item.
What is a backup offer in real estate?
A backup offer is an offer submitted even after the seller has accepted an offer from another buyer. Securing backup offers is a step that's often taken by sellers in markets where inventory is low and there's significant competition.
Why do realtors accept backup offers?
Pricing In A Buyer's Market
The reasoning behind this is that your backup offer gives the seller a safety net that prevents them from having to reenter the market if their primary offer falls apart. That security may be worth accepting a slightly lower price than the current offer.
What is the difference between pending and backup offers accepted?
Interested buyers can often submit a backup offer. With a pending listing, the seller has accepted an offer and all conditions have been met for the sale to close. The deal is usually too far along for backup offers.
What does backup mean in real estate?
Having a backup offer in place means the buyers who submitted the first offer are likely to be more motivated to speed up the time frame and close on the property. Sellers can collect multiple backup offers − though they're also free to decline.
Why does backup take so long?
How do you write a backup offer for real estate?
Having proof of mortgage approval letter – sometimes called a preapproval letter – ready to go and limiting the contingencies you ask for – like the home inspection contingency – shows that you're serious about the property and eager to close if the opportunity arises.
What is the back up contract clause?
Backup Offer Clause. A seller may want to accept a backup offer, which would become a primary offer if the initial buyer is unable to close. This clause allows the backup buyer to withdraw the purchase offer at any time prior to becoming the primary contract.
What is the backup offer addendum?
A backup offer addendum establishes that the purchase agreement it's attached to is a backup offer and only becomes effective if the seller's arrangement with another buyer is terminated. The document relays the terms under which the backup offer becomes effective or terminates.
How do you handle backup offers?
In home buying, a backup offer is made in acknowledgment of an existing offer and ensures a contract with the seller if that first offer falls through. It's a legally binding contract that, if accepted by the seller, will put you next in line to purchase the home should the first buyer back out.
FAQ
- Can a buyer cancel a backup offer?
Found another house that you love? No problem! You can cancel a backup offer anytime you want!
- Can a seller back out of a contract for a higher offer?
Bottom line on backing out of contracts
“Generally, a seller can't cancel without cause,” Schorr says. “You could build in some contingency, but absent that, you had better be committed to the sale.” Reneging because you fear you underpriced the house, or you actually receive a better offer, doesn't count as “cause.”
- What is the golden rule of backup?
Follow the 3-2-1 Rule
This rule suggests that your business should do the following: Store a minimum of three copies of your data. Two of these backups should remain on separate storage media. One backup stays stored offsite, such as in the cloud.
- How does a backup offer on a house work?
In home buying, a backup offer is made in acknowledgment of an existing offer and ensures a contract with the seller if that first offer falls through. It's a legally binding contract that, if accepted by the seller, will put you next in line to purchase the home should the first buyer back out.
- Is it worth putting in a backup offer on a house?
A backup offer puts you in line to make a home purchase if the first buyer backs out for common reasons, including property financing or home inspections. Backup offers can help avoid bidding wars. Having a backup offer in place can also help home buyers and sellers get an offer locked in even if the market changes.
- Why would a home seller accept backup offers?
“The primary buyer is much less likely to create problems for the seller in the first place, if they are made aware that backup offers exist.” And if the primary deal does fall through, having a backup offer eliminates the need to market the property all over again and host a new round of showings.
- What does it mean a home is accepting backup offers?
Accepting Backup Offers
Secondary buyers can submit an offer and if the seller accepts, they are then in a backup position. If the first buyer cancels, the second buyer will automatically enter escrow on the property.- How does a back up offer work in Texas?
- Back-Up Contracts are enforceable contracts; they are simply subject to one additional contingency i.e. termination of the First Contract. A Back-Up Contract is a binding contract and as such both option and earnest money must be paid (and delivered) per the terms of the contract.
- What does a secondary offer mean in real estate?
A secondary offer is a 2nd offer that is written on a property after an offer has all ready been accepted on that property. The first offer is called the primary offer and it stays primary until a contingency cannot be fulfilled on the contract by buyer #1.
- Can I make a second offer on a house?
- Yes, but first understand the legal ramifications. Before you take the drastic step of signing offers for several homes, consult with a real estate attorney. While many people think it's unethical to make multiple offers when you only intend to buy one property, it also may be illegal depending on where you live.
- Do realtors always say there is another offer?
While some REALTORS® may be reluctant to disclose terms of offers, even at the direction of their seller-clients, the Code of Ethics does not prohibit such disclosure. In some cases state law or real estate regulations may limit the ability of brokers to disclose the existence or terms of offers to third parties.
Real estate for sale what does active backup mean
What is an example of a secondary offering? | What is an Example of a Secondary Offering? A real-world example of a secondary offering, or follow-on offering, was conducted in February 2020 by Tesla (NASDAQ: TSLA) during the COVID-19 pandemic. In an effort to raise $2 billion, Tesla sold 2.65 million shares at an offering price of $767 per share. |
What does it mean when a house is under contract backups? | In home buying, a backup offer is made in acknowledgment of an existing offer and ensures a contract with the seller if that first offer falls through. It's a legally binding contract that, if accepted by the seller, will put you next in line to purchase the home should the first buyer back out. |
What is the difference between pending and under contract backups? | Key Takeaways. “Under contract” means the seller has accepted an offer, but there are still conditions to clear before closing. “Active under contract” means the seller is welcoming backup offers. “Pending” means the home is under contract, and all conditions have been met for the deal to close. |
Can a seller accept a backup offer while under contract? | As a seller, when you accept a backup offer on a house, you'll need to keep in mind that the first offer is still valid and under contract. However, it's completely reasonable to accept several backup offers while you are under contract (in case your primary buyer falls through). |
What does contract take backups mean? | Much like any home offer, a backup offer typically involves the buyer entering into a legally binding contract with the seller. In this case, though, the contract stipulates that if the existing contract with the primary buyer falls through, the backup offer immediately moves into the primary position. |
What does it mean under contract backups? | It means that the home is currently under contract, i.e. they've accepted a contract to purchase their home, but they're open to accepting backup offers as well. |
How do secondary offers work? | In finance, a secondary offering is when a large number of shares of a public company are sold from one investor to another on the secondary market. In such a case, the public company does not receive any cash nor issue any new shares. Instead, the investors buy and sell shares directly from each other. |
Can a seller accept a second offer? | While laws vary by state, in general, up until that contract is signed by both parties—even after counteroffers have been sent out—all new offers can be considered and accepted. Once both parties have signed it, however, the seller is pretty much locked into the deal. |
What is a second offer called? | A counteroffer is the response given to an offer, meaning the original offer was rejected and replaced with another one. Counteroffers give the original offerer three options: accept it, reject it, or make another offer and continue negotiations. |
What happens when there are two offers on a house? | Sellers can accept the “best” offer; they can inform all potential purchasers that other offers are “on the table”; they can “counter” one offer while putting the other offers to the side awaiting a decision on the counter-offer; or they can “counter” one offer and reject the others. |
- What does back up listing meant in real estate
Back On Market status denotes properties that were under contract but are now back up for sale. Life happens, sometimes people change their mind about a house
- What does pending taking backups mean?
Definition of Pending - Taking Backups
The seller's listing agent can change the home's status to "Pending - Taking Backups," which will allow the seller to consider backup offers in case the original offer falls through.
- What does it mean when a property is accepting backups?
In home buying, a backup offer is made in acknowledgment of an existing offer and ensures a contract with the seller if that first offer falls through. It's a legally binding contract that, if accepted by the seller, will put you next in line to purchase the home should the first buyer back out.
- Can you put a back up offer on a pending house?
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.
- Are backup offers worth it?
“The buyer in the primary position will be more inclined to keep the deal together if they know other buyers are standing by waiting for something to go wrong.” That said, if you have your heart set on a particular home, making a backup offer can still be worth it — you just might get lucky.
- What is a backup addendum?
A backup addendum is a document that states that your offer is contingent on the cancellation of the first offer and that you have the right to withdraw your offer at any time until the first offer is terminated.
- What is the backup offer clause in real estate?
- It's a legally binding contract that, if accepted by the seller, will put you next in line to purchase the home should the first buyer back out. In return for the seller's promise that the buyer is next in line, the buyer makes an earnest money deposit into an escrow account.
- What are the rules for addendums?
A contract addendum cannot be legally enforced unless both parties fully understand the new terms and agree to them in writing. All parties who signed the original contract must also sign the addendum; if one or more parties are unavailable, they can appoint agents who have the authority to sign on their behalf.
- How do I make a backup offer on my house?
- 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.
- Be flexible.
- Write a letter.
- Stay visible.
- 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:
- Do you submit the earnest money with a backup offer?
If you decide to go this route, keep in mind that you may need to make an earnest money deposit along with your backup offer. This shows the seller you are serious about moving forward with your offer if the first one falls through.