When a seller receives an offer that includes a home sale contingency, it often raises questions and concern. After 23 years as a real estate professional and as Broker Owner at Helen Oliveri Real Estate, I help Libertyville sellers evaluate these offers carefully and without emotion. In Lake County IL real estate, a home sale contingency is not automatically a bad offer, but it does require strategy.
With over 3000+ homes sold and 311 Google 5-star reviews, I have guided sellers through many transactions involving home sale contingencies. The key is understanding the risk and how to manage it.
What a Home Sale Contingency Means
A home sale contingency means the buyer must sell their current home before they can close on yours. This introduces uncertainty because your timeline becomes tied to another transaction.
I often tell sellers, “Certainty has value.” 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 priced competitively. In some Libertyville transactions, sellers accept these offers when terms are otherwise strong and timing is flexible.
As a 23 year veteran real estate agent, I evaluate the buyer’s home, their listing strategy, and recent sales to assess how realistic the contingency truly is.
Risks Sellers Should Consider
Home sale contingencies can extend timelines and create uncertainty. If the buyer’s home does not sell, your deal may fall apart. This is why sellers often prefer offers without this contingency when multiple options are available.
Pricing strategy and preparation can influence leverage here. Sellers often review this guide to understand how strong positioning reduces risk:
https://helenoliveri.com/your-guide-to-pricing/
Ways to Reduce Risk
Sellers can negotiate protections such as kick out clauses, timelines, or continued marketing. These strategies allow sellers to accept an offer while maintaining flexibility.
Preparation before listing strengthens negotiating position. This guide helps sellers position their home for stronger offers:
https://helenoliveri.com/preparing-your-home-for-a-hot-market/
Making the Right Decision
There is no universal answer. The right choice depends on your goals, timeline, and risk tolerance. If you are also buying in Lake County IL, coordinating certainty on your sale is especially important.
Helen Oliveri real estate focuses on helping Libertyville 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