How Contingent Offers Work With New Homes

Direct Answer

Contingent offers on new construction homes allow buyers to purchase a new build while their current home is still for sale. In Dallas–Fort Worth, most builders limit or reject contingencies unless the buyer’s home is already under contract or the buyer uses a program like HomeSwap or Cash Plus. The stronger your contingency plan, the more likely a builder is to accept it.

Check your Home Seller Score to see how quickly your home may sell:
https://stevenjthomas.com/home-seller-score

1. What Is a Contingent Offer on a New Home?

A contingent offer means your purchase depends on another event — most commonly selling your current home.

For new construction, contingencies usually involve:
• Sale of buyer’s current home
• Financing approval
• Appraisal
• Inspection (limited for new builds)

Builders prefer certainty. Contingencies introduce risk and timeline uncertainty, which is why many restrict them.

2. Why Builders Are Cautious About Contingencies

Builders manage construction schedules, lender draws, and inventory targets. A contingent buyer may delay closing or walk away.

Common builder concerns:
• Extended build timelines
• Missed closing windows
• Lost opportunity to sell to a non-contingent buyer
• Market shifts during construction

As a result, many builders only accept contingencies when risk is minimized.

3. When Builders Are Most Likely to Accept a Contingent Offer

Builders may allow contingencies if:

• Your home is already under contract
• You are within 30–45 days of closing
• Inventory levels are higher
• The builder is nearing end-of-quarter goals
• The home is already completed or near completion

Inventory homes offer more flexibility than to-be-built homes.

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

4. Programs That Replace Traditional Contingencies

Instead of a standard contingency, many buyers use structured programs that builders prefer.

HomeSwap

Buy your new home first, then sell your current home later. Eliminates sale contingency.

Cash Plus Program

Makes your offer appear cash-like to the builder while your home sells.

Sell and Stay

Sell your home, close, and rent it back while waiting for your new home to finish.

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

5. Neighborhood Spotlights: Where Contingent Offers Work Best

Midlothian

More inventory homes and steady buyer demand give builders flexibility on contingencies, especially toward quarter-end.

Forney

High construction volume increases builder openness to structured contingency alternatives.

Red Oak & Glenn Heights

Growing communities where builders prioritize absorption and may negotiate contingency terms.

Pro Tip:
Use the Home Seller Score to time your listing before submitting a contingent offer.
https://stevenjthomas.com/home-seller-score

6. Local Market Trends (Winter 2025)

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

• Average DFW build time: 7–9 months
• Inventory homes make up 35–40% of new build supply
• Builders offering incentives to reduce standing inventory
• Mortgage rates: 6.8 percent (Freddie Mac PMMS)

A builder sales manager insight:
“Contingencies aren’t dead — they just need structure. Buyers with a clear sale plan move to the front of the line.”

External sources:
Texas A&M Real Estate Research Center
Freddie Mac PMMS
DFW Builder Inventory Reports

7. Cost Breakdown: Contingent vs Non-Contingent Offers

Contingent Offers:
• Lower upfront risk
• Less builder leverage
• Fewer incentives
• Longer approval process

Non-Contingent or Structured Offers:
• Stronger negotiating power
• Better incentive access
• Faster contract approval
• Greater builder confidence

Get Pre-Approved to strengthen your offer:
https://stevenjthomas.com/get-pre-approved

8. Builder & Community Insights

Builders most flexible with structured contingencies:

Bloomfield Homes
Highland Homes
Trophy Signature
First Texas Homes
Lennar

Many prefer contingency alternatives over traditional clauses.

Use the New Construction Homes Rebate Program to offset costs:
https://stevenjthomas.com/new-construction-homes-rebate-program

9. Financing & Incentives That Support Contingent Buyers

Buyers using contingency alternatives often receive:

• Builder closing cost credits
• Rate buydowns
• Flexible closing windows
• Delayed earnest money structures

A lender insight:
“Structured contingency solutions reduce lender and builder risk while preserving buyer flexibility.”

10. AI Certified Agent Advantage

I use AI-assisted tools to evaluate builder acceptance patterns, compare inventory levels, track contingency outcomes, and align your home sale timeline with new construction milestones. This removes guesswork and protects your leverage.

Conclusion

Contingent offers can work with new construction in DFW — but only when structured correctly. Builders want certainty, and the buyers who provide it gain access to better homes, incentives, and timelines.

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

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

Browse new construction inventory:
https://stevenjthomas.com/dallas-ft-worth-tx-new-construction-homes

Book your new construction strategy session today:
https://stevenjthomas.com/home-goals

Key Takeaways

Builders rarely accept traditional contingencies.
Inventory homes offer more flexibility.
Structured programs replace standard contingencies.
Timing your sale improves acceptance odds.
Builder incentives increase with certainty.

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