| Status | What it means | Open to new offers? |
|---|---|---|
| Active | On the market, available for showings and offers | Yes |
| Contingent | Offer accepted, conditions still pending | Sometimes, as backups |
| Pending | Under contract, conditions cleared, nearing closing | Usually no |
| Sold or closed | Sale complete, ownership transferred | No |
Glossary · Listings & the MLS
Active, Pending, and Sold Status
Active, Pending, and Sold are core MLS statuses that show where a listing stands. Active means the home is on the market and available for showings and offers. Pending, along with contingent, means an offer is accepted and the sale is in progress but not closed. Sold, or closed, means the deal has completed and ownership transferred. Accurate status keeps the MLS reliable.
Also known as: Listing Status
How do listing statuses work?
An agent updates the status as a listing moves through the sale. It starts active, shifts to contingent or pending once an offer is accepted, and becomes sold at closing. Other statuses like withdrawn, expired, or canceled mark listings that are no longer available. Exact labels vary by MLS.
Active is the search-focused status buyers watch. When a seller accepts an offer, the agent changes the status to reflect that the home is under contract, using contingent or pending depending on how far along the deal is.
Contingent generally means important conditions remain, such as inspection, financing, or the sale of the buyer's current home. Pending usually means those conditions are cleared and the deal is close to closing. At closing, the status becomes sold or closed.
Why do listing statuses matter?
Statuses tell buyers what is truly available and help agents price and strategize. They also protect the integrity of the MLS by reflecting real market activity. A home marked pending is not open to new offers in most cases, so accurate status prevents wasted showings and confusion.
For buyers, status decides where to spend effort. For sellers and agents, timely updates keep the data trustworthy and support accurate comparisons when pricing similar homes. Sold data, in particular, feeds market analysis and appraisals.
What is the difference between pending and contingent?
Contingent means an accepted offer still has conditions to satisfy, such as inspection or financing, so the deal could still fall through. Pending usually means those conditions are met and the sale is moving toward closing. Both mean under contract, but pending is further along. Labels vary by MLS.
Because contingent deals carry more open conditions, some sellers still accept backup offers on them. Once a listing goes pending, most sellers stop marketing it. The exact meaning of each label depends on the local MLS, so agents confirm before advising clients.
Worked example. For example, a home lists as active and receives an offer within a week. The agent marks it contingent while the buyer completes an inspection and secures financing. Once those conditions clear, the status changes to pending. Three weeks later the sale closes, the deed records, and the listing updates to sold.
Common mistakes with Active, Pending, and Sold Status
- Do not assume a pending home is still available, since most sellers stop accepting new offers once a deal reaches that stage.
- Avoid treating contingent and pending as identical, because contingent deals still have open conditions that could fall through.
- Do not rely on a portal's status alone, as public sites can lag the MLS and show a sold home as active.
- Sellers should not delay status updates, because inaccurate status misleads buyers and can violate MLS rules.
- Do not assume status labels mean the same thing everywhere, since definitions and names vary by MLS.
Related terms
Term
Multiple Listing Service (MLS)
A private database where brokers share property listings and offers of cooperation and com
Define TermUnder Contract
A property with an accepted offer whose sale has not yet closed.
Define TermPending vs. Contingent
Two listing statuses that describe how far along an accepted offer is toward closing.
Define TermDays on Market (DOM)
The number of days a property has been actively listed for sale before going under contrac
DefineActive, Pending, and Sold Status FAQ
What is the difference between pending and contingent?
Both mean a home is under contract, but contingent means conditions like inspection or financing are still open, so the deal could fall through. Pending usually means those conditions are met and the sale is nearing closing. Definitions vary by MLS, so confirm the local meaning with your agent.
Can I still make an offer on a pending home?
Usually not. Once a listing is pending, most sellers have stopped accepting new offers because the sale is close to closing. On contingent listings, some sellers accept backup offers in case the first deal falls apart. Ask your agent to check status and whether backups are welcome.
Does active mean the home is definitely available?
Active means the MLS shows the home as on the market and open to showings and offers. It is the most current signal, but public portals can lag, so a listing may still display as active after going under contract. Have your agent verify the live MLS status.
What does sold or closed mean in the MLS?
Sold, also called closed, means the transaction has completed and ownership has legally transferred to the buyer, typically after recording the deed. The home is no longer available. Sold data is important because agents and appraisers use it to analyze the market and price comparable properties.
Why did a listing go from active back to active?
A deal likely fell through. When a contingent or pending sale collapses, the agent returns the listing to active so it can be marketed again. This can happen if financing, inspection, or an appraisal condition is not met. The home is once more open to showings and offers.
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