If you’re scrolling through property listings, you’ve probably seen homes marked “under offer.” But what does that actually mean — and can you still make an offer yourself?
Here’s the simple breakdown.
1. What ‘under offer’ really means
When a property is under offer, it means a buyer has made an offer that the seller has accepted — but the sale isn’t final yet.
The buyer is still working through conditions like:
- Finance approval
- Building and pest inspections
- Contract checks
- Valuation
Until those conditions are met, the property isn’t officially sold.
Think of it as:
The home is on hold for someone… but the deal isn’t locked in.
2. Is ‘under offer’ the same as ‘sold’?
Not quite.
- Under offer = conditionally accepted
- Sold = unconditional / contract complete
A property can fall through while it’s under offer if:
- Finance gets declined
- The valuation comes in low
- There are issues during inspection
- The buyer pulls out within their cooling-off period
So while the first buyer has the first shot, the home isn’t completely off the market yet.
3. Can you still make an offer when a home is under offer?
Yes — in most cases, you can still submit your interest.
Here’s how it usually works:
- Agents may take your details as a backup buyer
- If the first offer collapses, you get the next opportunity
- You might even be invited to submit a formal offer, depending on the state and situation
You generally can’t “outbid” someone who already has an accepted conditional offer, but being the next in line can put you in a strong position if their deal falls through.
4. Why buyers should pay attention to ‘under offer’ listings
If you love a home that’s under offer, don’t ignore it — because:
- Deals fall through more often than people think
- Finance delays are common
- Inspections can uncover issues
- The seller might prefer a stronger buyer
Leaving your details with the agent gives you a chance to step in if the first deal doesn’t proceed.
Sometimes the home comes back on the market a few days later — and buyers who stayed interested get first contact.