How Contingent Offers Work With New Construction

Direct Answer

A contingent offer on new construction allows you to purchase a new home while your current home is under contract or pending sale. In Dallas–Fort Worth, builders may accept contingencies under specific conditions such as strong pricing, timelines, and buyer qualifications. Understanding builder rules, timelines, and alternatives is key to avoiding delays, double payments, or missed opportunities.

Book your Home Goals consultation to map your contingency strategy:
https://stevenjthomas.com/home-goals

1. What Is a Contingent Offer in New Construction?

A contingent offer means your purchase depends on selling your current home.

With new construction, the builder evaluates:
• Your home’s marketability
• Your pricing strategy
• Estimated days on market
• Your financial strength
• Construction timeline

Builders want certainty. A weak contingency often gets declined.

2. When Builders Are Most Likely to Accept Contingencies

Builders are more flexible under certain conditions.

They are most likely to accept when:
• Your home is already listed
• Your home is under contract
• Your price is aligned with market value
• The build completion is months away
• Inventory levels are higher

Spec homes and late-stage builds are less flexible than early-stage builds.

Explore DFW new construction inventory here:
https://stevenjthomas.com/dallas-ft-worth-tx-new-construction-homes

3. Why Many Contingent Offers Get Rejected

Most rejections happen for predictable reasons.

Common issues include:
• Overpriced current home
• No listing history
• Unrealistic timeline expectations
• Weak financial documentation
• Builder demand exceeding supply

Builders want assurance your sale won’t delay their closing.

4. How Builders Evaluate Your Current Home

Builders review your resale home much like a buyer would.

They assess:
• Neighborhood demand
• Comparable sales
• Condition and updates
• Competition from new construction
• Expected days on market

A strong listing strategy improves acceptance odds dramatically.

Check your Home Seller Score before submitting a contingency:
https://stevenjthomas.com/home-seller-score

5. Neighborhood Spotlights: Where Contingencies Work Best

DeSoto

Builders are more flexible when homes are priced correctly and demand remains steady.

Midlothian

Longer build timelines create more room for contingent offers early in construction.

Red Oak & Glenn Heights

Growing inventory increases builder openness to contingencies with solid plans.

Pro Tip:
Your contingency is stronger when your home can realistically sell within 30–45 days.

6. Timeline Matters More Than Price

Builders care about when your home sells, not just if.

Typical acceptable timelines:
• Listing within 7–14 days of contract
• Under contract within 30 days
• Closed before or near build completion

Delays can trigger builder termination clauses.

7. Alternatives to Traditional Contingencies

When contingencies aren’t accepted, alternatives may work better.

Options include:
• HomeSwap to buy before selling
• Cash Plus Program for flexibility
• Sell and Stay agreements
• Temporary housing strategies

These options reduce builder risk and increase acceptance chances.

Explore all selling options here:
https://stevenjthomas.com/home-selling-options

8. Local Market Trends (2025)

Based on NTREIS, Texas A&M Real Estate Research Center, and builder disclosures:

• Contingent offers accepted more often in balanced markets
• Early-stage builds allow more flexibility
• Builders prioritize buyers with strong resale plans
• Mortgage rates: 6.8 percent (Freddie Mac PMMS)

A builder insight:
“We’re open to contingencies when the resale plan is realistic and well-managed.”

External sources:
Texas A&M Real Estate Research Center
Freddie Mac PMMS

9. Financing Considerations With Contingent Offers

Lenders review contingencies carefully.

Important factors include:
• Equity position in current home
• Debt-to-income ratios
• Bridge or temporary financing options
• Rate lock timelines

Pre-approval with a contingency-aware plan is critical.

Get Pre-Approved with timelines in mind:
https://stevenjthomas.com/get-pre-approved

10. AI Certified Agent Advantage

I use AI-assisted tools to analyze resale timelines, neighborhood demand, builder flexibility, and risk points. This allows us to structure contingencies builders are more likely to accept — or pivot to alternatives when needed.

Conclusion

Contingent offers can work with new construction when structured correctly. Builders want certainty, clear timelines, and strong resale strategies. With the right pricing, planning, and backup options, contingent buyers can secure new construction without unnecessary stress.

Start with your Home Seller Score:
https://stevenjthomas.com/home-seller-score

Explore selling options:
https://stevenjthomas.com/home-selling-options

Download the Lone Star Living App:
https://lonestarliving.hsidx.com/@sthomas

Book your Home Goals consultation today:
https://stevenjthomas.com/home-goals

Key Takeaways

Contingent offers depend on resale strength.
Builders prioritize timeline certainty.
Early-stage builds offer more flexibility.
Pricing accuracy improves acceptance.
Alternatives reduce risk when contingencies fail.

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