Contingent and pending are two MLS statuses that both mean a home has an accepted offer, but they signal different stages. A contingent listing has an accepted offer that still depends on one or more conditions being met, such as inspection, appraisal, financing, or the buyer selling their current home.
A pending listing generally means the major contingencies have been satisfied or removed and the sale is moving toward closing. A pending deal is closer to completion and less likely to fall through than a contingent one, though nothing is final until closing.
Because a contingent home still has active conditions, it is more likely to return to the market, so buyers who missed out may still have a chance. Exact terminology and rules vary by MLS and region.