Contingency clauses are often included in contracts for home and land purchases. They typically protect the buyer from fraud and other risks.Contingencies are typically conditions that have to be satisfied for either the buyer or seller, in order for a contract to proceed toward closing. In general my advice to seller clients is to consider contingent offers only when the buyer's property is already in contract. A number of standard contingency clauses which give the parties the right to cancel and back out of the contract under specified circumstances. A contingency period provides a finite amount of time for the parties to complete their contingencies. Contingencies can work in everyone's favor. You must have additional savings to pay out of pocket any difference between the appraised value and your offer price. A subsidiary of the CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®. If a listing is marked as contingent, it means that the sellers have accepted an offer and the property is now in escrow.