2 min read
Few things are more stressful than thinking about your home sale running into unexpected issues before closing.
If you’re getting ready to sell, there are several steps you can consider to better understand your home, the market, and the terms of an offer before moving forward.
According to recent Redfin data, about 1 in 7 pending home sales fall through, meaning most pending sales do proceed toward closing.
While there’s no way to predict or prevent every issue that can arise during a transaction, some common concerns are worth understanding before you list your home.
Why Some Deals Fall Apart Before Closing
Several factors can affect whether a pending home sale reaches the closing table.
Source: Redfin. com, Nearly 1 in 7 Home Sales Are Falling Through, a Record for This Time of Year, February 2026 (Housing market trends vary by location, property type, and other factors)
Here’s a bit more information on each one.
- Inspection or repair issues.
A buyer’s inspection may identify concerns with the roof, plumbing, electrical systems, foundation, or other areas of the property.
Depending on the purchase agreement and local practices, a buyer may request repairs, ask for a credit, negotiate the purchase price, or reconsider the transaction.
- The buyer’s financing fell through.
A buyer may begin the process with a pre-approval, but financing still involves underwriting and verification.
Changes to employment, credit, debt, assets, or other financial circumstances can affect a buyer’s ability to obtain financing.
While a seller can't control a buyer's financial situation, reviewing the strength and terms of an offer with your real estate professional can help you understand the financing and contingency provisions involved.
- The buyer’s current house didn’t sell.
Some buyers need to sell their existing home before purchasing another property.
When an offer includes a home-sale contingency, the timing of your transaction may be connected to another sale.
Understanding those contingencies and timelines before accepting an offer can help you evaluate how the different pieces of the transaction fit together.
- There was a change in buyer’s financial situation.
A buyer's financial circumstances can change during the time between contract and closing.
A new loan, significant purchase, employment change, or other financial event could affect the mortgage approval process.
Again, these are circumstances a seller cannot control. However, working with experienced real estate and lending professionals can help everyone better understand the transaction requirements and timeline.
Consider a Pre-Listing Inspection
A pre-listing inspection can provide information about the condition of your home before it goes on the market.
You may discover items that you want to repair, obtain estimates for, or simply disclose to prospective buyers.
Whether you choose to address an issue before listing or disclose it as part of the transaction is a decision you can discuss with your real estate professional.
Look Beyond the Offer Price
When multiple offers are involved, the highest purchase price isn't necessarily the only factor to consider.
Your real estate professional can help you review the complete offer, including:
- Financing type
- Down payment
- Inspection provisions
- Appraisal provisions
- Home-sale contingencies
- Closing date
- Other contractual terms
Looking at the entire offer can give you a broader understanding of what each buyer is proposing.
Your Team Can Help You Prepare
Selling a home involves more than putting a property on the market and accepting an offer.
Your real estate professional can help you understand the market, prepare your property, evaluate offers, and navigate the transaction.
A mortgage professional can also help answer financing-related questions when they arise during a purchase.
No transaction is completely predictable, and circumstances can change along the way. The goal is to understand the process, know what you can control, and make decisions based on your individual situation.
Bottom Line
Most pending home sales do make it to closing, but every transaction is different.
Before listing, consider whether a pre-listing inspection makes sense for your home. When offers arrive, look at the complete terms—not just the purchase price.
The more information you have, the better positioned you may be to evaluate your options throughout the selling process.
If you're considering selling and buying another home, connect with a First Federal Bank Loan Officer to discuss your potential financing options and how your current home may factor into your plans.