08/24/2026
Your home is under contract—but the sale isn’t over yet.
It’s easy to think that once an offer is accepted, the hard part is done. But an accepted offer is not the finish line. The transaction still needs to make it through inspections, financing, appraisal, attorney review, and closing.
According to a Keeping Current Matters article published on August 24, 2026, about 1 in 7 pending home sales is canceled before closing. The good news?
Most transactions still close successfully.
Some of the most common reasons deals fall apart include:
🏠 Inspection and repair issues
💰 Buyer financing problems
🔑 Delays in selling the buyer’s current home
📉 Changes in the buyer’s financial situation
For sellers, this is why the highest offer is not always the best offer.
When comparing offers, it is important to look beyond the purchase price and consider the buyer’s financing, down payment, earnest money, contingencies, home sale requirements, and closing timeline.
A $10,000 higher offer may be riskier than a slightly lower offer with stronger financing and fewer contingencies.
Successfully selling a home is not just about getting the highest possible offer. It is about managing the transaction carefully and getting all the way to the closing table.
If you are planning to sell in Chicago or the surrounding suburbs, I can help you evaluate your home’s potential value, identify possible transaction risks, and develop a strategy for choosing the right offer—not just the highest one.
Sang Han
ChicagoBDB LLC | Chicago Bokdeokbang
Platinum Partners Realtors
IL Licensed Realtor #475.179051
After spending time preparing your home for sale, you finally receive an offer you’re happy with. Once the contract is signed, it’s easy to think the hard part is over.But in real estate, an accepted offer is not the finish line—it’s the beginning of the next phase of the transaction. Before...