Question 1

What does "pending" mean in Florida real estate?

Accepted Answer

Pending status indicates that the seller has accepted a buyer’s offer and the property is under contract, but the transaction has not yet closed. In Florida: a property is listed as "pending" in the MLS (Multiple Listing Service) when: the seller and buyer have executed a purchase contract, all contingencies have been satisfied or waived (inspection, financing, appraisal), and the parties are proceeding toward closing. A pending status means: the seller is no longer actively marketing the property, other buyers typically cannot submit offers (unless the listing provides for backup offers), and the transaction is expected to close.

Question 2

What is the difference between "pending" and "under contract" in Florida?

Accepted Answer

Distinction: under contract (also called "active with contract" or "contingent"): the seller has accepted an offer, but contingencies remain (the buyer has not yet completed inspections, obtained financing, or waived other conditions). Pending: all contingencies have been satisfied or waived, and the transaction is expected to close. The terminology varies among MLS systems. In practice: "under contract" may mean the transaction is still subject to conditions that could cause it to fall through, while "pending" means the transaction is essentially locked in (though it can still fall through if there is a problem at closing).

Question 3

Can a pending Florida real estate transaction fall through?

Accepted Answer

Yes: common reasons: title issues (the title search reveals defects, liens, or encumbrances that cannot be resolved), financing failure (the buyer’s loan is not approved, even though the financing contingency was waived or satisfied), appraisal issues (the property appraises below the purchase price and the parties cannot agree on a resolution), survey issues (the survey reveals encroachments or boundary disputes), and buyer or seller default (one party fails to perform their obligations under the contract). If the transaction falls through: the property typically returns to active status and is relisted for sale.

Pending Status

Pending Status in Florida Real Estate

What It Means

vs. Under Contract

Can It Fall Through?

Related Terms

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