What Does Pending Mean on Zillow? A Complete Guide

Zillow has transformed how Americans buy and sell homes, serving as one of the most popular real estate platforms in the country. With millions of listings updated daily, it’s become an essential tool for anyone navigating the housing market. Whether you’re a first-time homebuyer dreaming of finding the perfect property or a seller trying to understand where your listing stands, knowing how to interpret listing statuses can make all the difference in your real estate journey.

Among the various statuses you’ll encounter on Zillow—Active, Contingent, Sold—one of the most misunderstood is “Pending.” Many users wonder what this status actually means and whether there’s still a chance to make an offer on a home marked this way. This article breaks down everything you need to know about Pending listings on Zillow, helping you make informed decisions whether you’re buying or selling.

What Does Pending Mean on Zillow?

When you see a home marked as Pending on Zillow, it means the seller has accepted an offer from a buyer and the sale is moving toward completion. This isn’t just a casual agreement—it represents a significant milestone in the home-buying process where both parties have committed to the transaction through a legally binding contract.

At the Pending stage, most major contingencies have typically been removed or satisfied. Contingencies are conditions that must be met for the sale to proceed, such as home inspections, financing approvals, or appraisals. When a listing reaches Pending status, it signals that these hurdles have largely been cleared, making it highly likely that the sale will close successfully.

For practical purposes, a Pending home is essentially off the market. While there are exceptions (which we’ll discuss later), buyers should generally assume that a Pending property is no longer available and focus their search elsewhere.

How a Listing Moves From Active to Pending

Understanding the journey from Active to Pending helps demystify what’s happening behind the scenes. The process typically unfolds in several stages, each representing progress toward closing the deal.

It begins when a buyer submits an initial offer on an Active listing. This offer includes proposed terms such as the purchase price, closing date, contingencies, and any specific requests like including certain appliances or furniture. The seller then reviews this offer and may accept it, reject it, or counter with different terms.

Negotiations often follow, where buyers and sellers work through details including the final price, repair requests following inspections, closing timelines, and various contract conditions. These discussions can take days or even weeks depending on the complexity of the transaction and how far apart the parties are on key issues.

Once the seller formally accepts an offer, the listing status changes. Initially, it might be marked as Active Under Contract or Contingent, depending on local Multiple Listing Service (MLS) practices and which contingencies remain. As the buyer works through inspections, secures financing, and completes the appraisal, these contingencies are gradually satisfied.

When the major contingencies have been cleared and the deal is considered solid, the status updates to Pending. At this point, the transaction is on track to close, and all parties are working toward finalizing the paperwork and transferring ownership.

Types of Pending Statuses on Zillow

Not all Pending listings are created equal. Zillow and the MLS systems it pulls data from recognize different types of Pending statuses, each with specific implications for buyers and sellers.

Pending

The standard Pending status indicates that a deal is actively in progress and close to completion. The seller has accepted an offer, contingencies have been largely satisfied, and the parties are working toward closing. Importantly, homes with this status are no longer accepting new offers. As a buyer, you should treat these properties as unavailable unless something unexpected causes the deal to fall through.

Pending – Taking Backups

This variation tells a more nuanced story. While a buyer is under contract and the sale is proceeding, the seller is still willing to accept backup offers. Why would a seller do this? It’s a form of insurance. Even though the current deal looks solid, sellers know that transactions can fall apart due to financing issues, inspection problems, or buyer cold feet. By accepting backup offers, sellers protect themselves against starting from scratch if the primary deal collapses.

For buyers, a “Pending – Taking Backups” listing represents an opportunity. Your backup offer positions you next in line if the current contract fails, potentially saving you weeks of searching for another property.

Pending – Continue to Show

Perhaps the most unusual Pending variation, this status means the home is under contract but the seller is still allowing showings to potential buyers. This might seem strange, but sellers typically choose this option for similar reasons as taking backup offers—they want options if the current deal doesn’t work out. Sometimes sellers also want to gauge market interest or create pressure that might discourage the current buyer from requesting extensive repairs or concessions.

For buyers, this status is worth exploring. Schedule a showing and consider making a backup offer, as the seller has clearly indicated openness to continued interest.

Also Read: Ownerly Vs Zillow: The Ultimate Real Estate Test?

Pending vs. Other Zillow Listing Statuses

To fully understand what Pending means, it helps to see how it compares to other common listing statuses you’ll encounter on Zillow.

Active

An Active listing represents a home that’s fully available on the market with no accepted offers. The seller is actively seeking buyers and ready to review offers. This is the green light status for buyers—the home is available, and you’re welcome to schedule showings and submit offers.

The major difference between Active and Pending is availability. Active homes are still in play; Pending homes are essentially spoken for. While Active listings invite competition among buyers, Pending listings have already selected their winner.

Active Under Contract (AUC)

Active Under Contract occupies middle ground between Active and Pending. The seller has accepted an offer, but significant contingencies remain unresolved. These might include pending home inspections, financing approvals that haven’t been secured, or appraisals that could come in below the offer price.

AUC is not yet considered Pending because there’s still meaningful uncertainty about whether the deal will complete. Sellers keep the listing marked as under contract to acknowledge the accepted offer while maintaining some openness to backup offers or alternative scenarios.

Contingent

Similar to AUC, Contingent status means an offer has been accepted but the sale depends on specific conditions being met. These typically include inspection results, financing approval, or the buyer’s ability to sell their current home. Some contingencies give buyers significant opportunities to renegotiate or walk away if conditions aren’t favorable.

The distinction between Contingent and Pending lies in risk level. Contingent sales face more potential obstacles that could derail the transaction. Pending sales have cleared most of these hurdles and are on a clearer path to completion. Think of Contingent as “we have a deal, but several things could still go wrong” and Pending as “we’re finishing up the paperwork.”

Sold

Sold means the transaction is complete—the final paperwork has been signed, money has changed hands, and the property has officially transferred to the new owner. This is the finish line that Pending listings are approaching.

The timeline from Pending to Sold varies but typically ranges from two to six weeks, depending on financing complexity, local regulations, and how smoothly the closing process goes. Once a listing shows as Sold, it’s definitively off the market with no chance of becoming available again.

Why a Home May Stay Pending for a Long Time

While most Pending listings move to Sold within a month or two, some linger for what seems like an unusually long time. Several factors can extend the Pending period, and understanding them helps set realistic expectations.

Delays in financing approvals are among the most common culprits. Mortgage underwriting can hit snags when lenders discover issues with the buyer’s credit, employment verification takes longer than expected, or additional documentation is required. During periods of high mortgage application volume, lenders may also simply be backed up, creating delays for everyone.

Appraisal issues can significantly extend the Pending period. If the property appraises for less than the agreed purchase price, the buyer’s lender may refuse to provide the full loan amount. This triggers renegotiations between buyer and seller over price adjustments or requires the buyer to bring additional cash to closing. Resolving these disputes takes time.

Inspection problems discovered during the home inspection can pause progress while parties negotiate repairs. Major issues like foundation problems, roof damage, or outdated electrical systems may require multiple rounds of negotiation, contractor estimates, and decisions about who will handle repairs and at what cost.

Title or legal complications occasionally surface during the title search process. These might include liens against the property, boundary disputes, estate issues if the seller inherited the home, or errors in public records that must be corrected before the sale can complete. Clearing title issues can take weeks or even months in complex cases.

Slow closing processes affect timing as well. Different states and localities have varying requirements for real estate closings, and some simply take longer than others. Additionally, if multiple parties are involved—such as in divorce situations or estate sales—coordinating everyone’s schedules and obtaining necessary approvals can drag out the timeline.

Can a Pending Home Fall Through?

The short answer is yes—Pending deals can and do fall through, even though they’re close to completion. While the majority of Pending sales do successfully close, various issues can derail transactions even at this late stage.

Financing failure remains one of the most common deal-killers. A buyer might have been pre-approved for a mortgage, but final underwriting can reveal problems. Changes in the buyer’s financial situation between pre-approval and closing—such as job loss, new debt, or large purchases—can cause lenders to withdraw loan approval. Without financing, the buyer typically cannot complete the purchase.

Inspection problems can torpedo deals when buyers discover issues they’re unwilling to accept and sellers refuse to address them. While many inspection issues get resolved through negotiation, sometimes the discoveries are severe enough or the parties far enough apart that the deal collapses.

Buyer or seller backing out happens occasionally, though it usually comes with financial consequences. Buyers might develop cold feet, experience family emergencies, or decide the home isn’t right for them after all. Sellers might receive a dramatically better offer they can’t refuse or have personal circumstances change. Depending on contract terms, the backing-out party may forfeit earnest money or face other penalties.

Contract disputes can emerge over interpretation of terms, disagreements about what stays with the home, or conflicts about repair responsibilities. If parties cannot resolve these disputes, either side might choose to walk away rather than proceed with a contentious transaction.

When a Pending deal falls through, the listing typically returns to Active status, and the seller begins the process again. For buyers watching a home they wanted, this represents a second chance to make an offer.

What Buyers Should Do When They See a Pending Listing

Discovering that your dream home is marked Pending can be disappointing, but savvy buyers know there are still strategies to employ in this situation.

Set alerts to monitor the listing for any status changes. Most real estate platforms, including Zillow, allow you to save listings and receive notifications when details change. If the Pending deal falls through and the home returns to Active status, you’ll know immediately and can act quickly.

Look specifically for “Pending — Taking Backups” status, which explicitly signals the seller’s willingness to consider additional offers. If you see this designation, don’t hesitate to contact the listing agent about submitting a backup offer. Being in the backup position gives you a significant advantage if the primary deal fails.

Contact the listing agent for status updates and to express your interest. While agents won’t share confidential details about the existing transaction, they can often provide helpful context about timing and whether backup offers are being considered. Establishing a relationship with the agent also positions you well if the home becomes available again.

Consider similar homes in the area as alternatives rather than fixating solely on one Pending property. The home that’s pending might not have been the only good option. Expanding your search to comparable properties in nearby neighborhoods might uncover options you hadn’t considered that are actually available.

What Sellers Should Know About Pending Status

For sellers, properly managing the Pending period is crucial to ensuring your transaction closes successfully and maximizing your position if something goes wrong.

Keep your status updated accurately throughout the transaction. Work with your agent to ensure that Zillow and the MLS reflect the correct status as your sale progresses. If you’re willing to consider backup offers, make sure your listing explicitly states “Pending — Taking Backups” so interested buyers know to reach out.

Understand how to handle backup offers strategically. Some sellers prefer to stop considering other offers once they’re under contract, viewing them as distractions. Others welcome backup offers as insurance policies. Discuss with your agent whether accepting backup offers makes sense for your situation and how to structure them to protect your interests without jeopardizing your primary contract.

Maintain communication with your agent and the buyers throughout the Pending period. Stay responsive to requests for information, cooperate with necessary inspections and appraisals, and address any concerns promptly. Many deals that fall apart during the Pending period do so because of poor communication or unmet expectations that could have been resolved.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Pending mean the house is sold?

No, Pending does not mean the house is sold. It means a sale is in progress and likely to complete, but the transaction hasn’t officially closed yet. The home will be marked as Sold once all paperwork is finalized, money has been transferred, and ownership has officially changed hands. Until then, there remains a possibility, however small, that the deal could fall through.

Can you still tour a Pending home?

Generally, no. Most Pending homes are no longer available for showings since the seller has accepted an offer and is working toward closing with a specific buyer. However, if the listing specifically says “Pending — Continue to Show,” the seller is still allowing tours, usually to develop backup offers in case the current deal fails. Contact the listing agent to find out if showings are still possible for a specific Pending property.

How long can a home stay Pending on Zillow?

The typical Pending period lasts between 30 and 60 days, which is the standard timeframe for completing financing, final inspections, and closing paperwork. However, some transactions take longer due to financing delays, title issues, or other complications. If a home has been Pending for more than 90 days, it may signal problems with the transaction, though some complex sales legitimately require extended closing periods.

Conclusion

Understanding what Pending means on Zillow empowers you to navigate the real estate market more effectively, whether you’re buying or selling. A Pending status indicates that a home has an accepted offer and is moving toward closing, with most contingencies satisfied and a high likelihood of successful completion. While it generally means the property is off the market, variations like “Pending — Taking Backups” leave the door open for strategic buyers.

For buyers, recognizing the nuances between Pending, Contingent, Active Under Contract, and other statuses helps you identify genuine opportunities and avoid wasting time on unavailable properties. Setting alerts, pursuing backup offers when indicated, and staying in contact with listing agents are all smart strategies when you encounter Pending homes you’re interested in.

For sellers, properly managing your listing status and understanding how to handle the Pending period ensures your transaction stays on track while protecting your interests if complications arise. Clear communication with your agent and buyers, strategic decisions about backup offers, and accurate status updates all contribute to successful closings.

As you browse Zillow and other real estate platforms, remember that listing statuses tell important stories about where properties stand in the sales process. By understanding these signals, you’ll make better decisions, act more strategically, and ultimately find or sell your home more successfully in today’s dynamic real estate market.

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