Receiving an offer with a home sale contingency often causes sellers to pause. After 23 years as a real estate professional and as Broker Owner at Helen Oliveri Real Estate, I help Kildeer sellers evaluate these offers carefully and without unnecessary stress. In Lake County IL real estate, a home sale contingency is not automatically a bad offer, but it does introduce additional variables that must be understood.
With over 3000+ homes sold and 311 Google 5-star reviews, I have guided many sellers through transactions involving home sale contingencies. The key is knowing when the risk is manageable and when it is not.
What a Home Sale Contingency Means
A home sale contingency means the buyer must sell their current property before they can close on yours. This ties your timeline to another transaction and can introduce uncertainty.
I often tell sellers, “Certainty has value, especially when planning your next move.”
Understanding how much certainty matters to you helps guide the decision.
When Accepting a Home Sale Contingency Makes Sense
Accepting this type of offer may make sense if the buyer’s home is already under contract or competitively priced. In some Kildeer situations, sellers accept these offers when other terms are strong and timing is flexible.
As a 23 year veteran real estate agent, I evaluate the buyer’s home, market position, and likelihood of selling based on recent data before advising sellers.
Risks Sellers Should Consider
Home sale contingencies can extend timelines and reduce leverage. If the buyer’s home does not sell, your transaction may fall apart, requiring you to return to the market.
Pricing strategy and preparation help reduce risk. Sellers often review this guide to understand how strong positioning supports cleaner offers:
https://helenoliveri.com/your-guide-to-pricing/
Ways to Reduce Exposure
Sellers can negotiate protections such as kick out clauses, strict timelines, or continued marketing rights. These options allow sellers to accept an offer while maintaining flexibility.
Preparation before listing strengthens leverage as well. This guide helps sellers position their home for stronger offers:
https://helenoliveri.com/preparing-your-home-for-a-hot-market/
Making the Right Choice for Your Situation
There is no one size fits all answer. The right decision depends on your goals, timeline, and tolerance for uncertainty. If you are also buying in Lake County IL, securing certainty on your sale becomes even more important.
Helen Oliveri real estate focuses on helping Kildeer sellers evaluate offers strategically so they move forward with confidence and clarity.
Helen Oliveri
Broker Owner | Helen Oliveri Real Estate
23 year veteran real estate agent
Over 3000+ homes sold | 311 Google 5-star reviews
Contact Helen Oliveri at Helen Oliveri Real Estate | (847) 401-0136 | www.helenoliverirealestate.com/ for a FREE Market Strategy Session