You're searching Zillow at 10pm and a home you've been watching just changed status. "Pending." Is it over? Can you still make an offer? Is "pending" the same as "contingent"?

These questions come up constantly — partly because the terms are genuinely confusing, and partly because different platforms display status information differently. A home that Redfin shows as "contingent" might show on Zillow as "pending." The underlying MLS data is the same; the labels aren't always.

This guide explains every listing status you'll encounter across all the major platforms, what each one actually means, and how to use that information strategically in your home search.

Where listing data actually comes from

Before diving into statuses, it helps to understand the source. All three major platforms — Zillow, Redfin, and Realtor.com — pull their listing data from the Multiple Listing Service (MLS). In the Seattle–Eastside area, that's the Northwest Multiple Listing Service (NWMLS).

The MLS is the authoritative source. When a listing agent updates a status in the MLS, it flows to the platforms — but not always immediately, and not always with identical labeling. Delays of 24–48 hours are common. This is one reason working with a local agent who has direct MLS access gives you a real advantage: you see status changes in real time, not a day or two later.

The core statuses and what they mean

Active

The home is listed for sale and available for showings. No offer has been accepted. This is the status you want to see when you're interested in a home.

Active — Contingent (NWMLS) / "Contingent" on Zillow and Redfin

The seller has accepted an offer, but the sale depends on one or more conditions being met. The most common contingencies are inspection, financing, and appraisal. If those conditions aren't satisfied within the agreed timeframe, the buyer can exit the contract — and the home comes back to "active."

What "contingent" means for you as a buyer: Don't write this home off. Contingent deals fall apart — not often, but regularly. The right move is to have your agent monitor the listing, understand what type of contingency is in place, and be positioned to move quickly if the deal collapses.

Pending (NWMLS) / "Pending" on Zillow, Redfin, and Realtor.com

The contingencies have been cleared — or were never included — and the transaction is in its final stages moving toward closing. Title work is underway, the lender is preparing loan documents, and a closing date has been set.

What "pending" means for you as a buyer: The home is much closer to sold than a contingent listing. That said, pending deals do still fall apart — roughly 5–10% of them — due to appraisal issues, last-minute financing problems, or buyer life changes. If a home has been pending for an unusually long time (3–4+ weeks past the expected close date), it's worth having your agent check in with the listing agent.

Under Contract

Some platforms use "under contract" as a broader category that encompasses both contingent and pending. On Realtor.com specifically, "under contract" typically means the same thing as contingent — an offer has been accepted but conditions still apply. When you see "under contract," assume the home is not available but may become available if the deal falls through.

Platform-by-platform breakdown

What statuses look like on Zillow

Zillow displays three primary statuses for homes that aren't actively for sale:

"For Sale — Contingent" — An offer has been accepted but contingencies are in place. Zillow shows this status when the NWMLS reports the listing as contingent. You can still "Save" the listing on Zillow to get notified if the status changes.

"Pending" — Contingencies have been cleared. Zillow typically stops surfacing pending homes in standard search results, but they remain findable by direct URL or if you have the home saved.

"Off Market" — The listing has expired, been withdrawn, or closed. Zillow sometimes shows "Off Market" for homes that have recently sold, with a sale price displayed.

Zillow's timing: Zillow can lag the MLS by 24–48 hours for status changes. If you're serious about a specific neighborhood, relying on Zillow alone means you may see status updates a day after they happen.

What statuses look like on Redfin

Redfin has some of the most granular status labeling of the major platforms:

"Contingent" — Matches the NWMLS contingent status. Redfin displays this prominently on the listing and will notify you of the change if you've saved the home.

"Pending" — Contingencies cleared. Redfin removes pending listings from its default map view but keeps them accessible if you know where to look.

"Pending — Taking Backups" — One of Redfin's more useful labels. This tells you the seller or listing agent is explicitly accepting backup offers. This is your green light to submit a backup offer if the home is one you'd genuinely purchase.

Redfin's advantage: Redfin has historically pulled MLS data faster than Zillow, and for buyers who set up alerts, notifications can arrive within minutes of a status change.

What statuses look like on Realtor.com

Realtor.com tends to use broader categorization:

"Under Contract" — Used for both contingent and some early pending statuses. Less granular than Redfin's labeling.

"Pending" — Final stages of the transaction, similar to other platforms.

"Sold" — Recently closed, with sale price visible on many listings.

Realtor.com's context: Realtor.com is operated by Move, Inc., which has a formal agreement with the National Association of Realtors for MLS data access. In practice, data timing is similar to Zillow for most markets.

The statuses you won't see on consumer platforms

The NWMLS has additional status designations that listing agents use but that don't always surface clearly on consumer platforms:

"Active — Court Approval Required" — The sale requires court approval (common in estate sales and some short sales). The home is technically available, but the timeline is uncertain.

"Active — Showing for Backup Only" — The listing agent is accepting backup offers only — the primary offer is strong enough that no regular showings are being scheduled.

"Sold" — Closed and recorded. Shows on consumer platforms, usually with a sale price.

These nuances are another reason your agent's direct MLS access matters. The information consumers see on Zillow and Redfin is a simplified, sometimes delayed interpretation of a more detailed dataset.

How long does "pending" typically last?

In the Seattle–Eastside market, most transactions close 20–45 days after an offer is accepted. A home that went pending should close within that window. Here's a rough timeline:

• Days 1–10: Inspection period (if contingency is included)
• Days 10–30: Appraisal ordered and completed, underwriting progresses
• Days 21–35: Lender issues formal loan commitment
• Days 30–45: Final walkthrough, signing, funding, recording, keys

If a home has been showing as "pending" for 60+ days, something has likely gone sideways — an appraisal problem, a financing issue, or a dispute that's being negotiated. This is sometimes a signal that the deal may collapse and the home may return to market.

Can you make an offer on a pending or contingent home?

On a contingent home: Yes. In Washington State, sellers can continue accepting backup offers while under a contingent contract. A backup offer is a real offer with earnest money that becomes effective only if the primary contract is terminated. Ask your agent to submit a backup offer if the home is genuinely one you'd purchase.

On a pending home: Technically yes, but practically difficult. The contingencies have been cleared, which means the primary buyer has committed. Sellers and their agents are rarely receptive to backup offers at the pending stage unless there's a specific reason the primary deal might collapse.

The strategic move: If a home is contingent, have your agent reach out to the listing agent professionally. A "our buyer is very interested and ready to move immediately — please keep us in mind if anything changes" conversation plants a flag that can pay off. We've helped buyers acquire homes that were contingent when we first identified them.

Setting up alerts that actually work

The buyers who succeed in the Eastside market aren't always the fastest — they're the most informed. Here's how to stay ahead:

On Redfin: Set up email or push alerts for specific saved homes and for new listings in your target area. Redfin's alert timing is among the best of the consumer platforms.

On Zillow: "Save" any home you're interested in to receive status change notifications. Set up a saved search in your target area for new listings.

Work with an agent with direct MLS access: The single most effective step. Your agent can set up an MLS alert that notifies both of you the moment any listing in your target area changes status — often hours before it appears on consumer platforms.

We watch the market so you don't have to

At Tribeca NW, our agents monitor active, contingent, and pending listings in our clients' target neighborhoods daily. When a contingent deal shows signs of trouble or a pending home returns to market, our clients hear about it first.

If you're searching for homes on the Eastside and want representation that goes beyond what consumer platforms show you, we'd love to connect.

Start your home search with Tribeca NW →

What does Pending Mean in Real Estate? And Can You Still Make an Offer?

Tribeca NW Real Estate serves buyers across Bellevue, Kirkland, Redmond, and the greater Eastside. 1,508 homes closed. 800+ five-star reviews on Google and Zillow.