Active Offer No Bump and Other Listing Statuses Explained: Active, Contingent and Pending

Active offer no bump is a listing status that tells buyers a seller has accepted an offer and will not let another buyer push it aside. You will see the phrase on some home search sites, and it confuses buyers and sellers alike. The term is not used the same way in every MLS. Here in Palm Beach County, the Beaches MLS uses its own set of statuses. This guide explains what the phrase means, how it lines up with local statuses, and what each one means for you.

Key takeaways

• Active offer no bump means the seller has accepted an offer and has agreed not to replace that buyer, even with a better offer.
• A "bump" or kick-out clause lets a seller keep marketing and push the first buyer to remove contingencies or step aside.
• In the Beaches MLS, "Active Under Contract" means the home is under contract and the seller will consider backup offers. "Pending" means no showings and no new offers.
• Listing agents must update a status within two business days of a change, and report a canceled pending sale right away.
• The Florida Realtors/Florida Bar forms include a Kick-Out Clause rider, known as Rider X.

What active offer no bump means

When a seller accepts an offer, the home is under contract. That contract may still have contingencies, such as an inspection period, a loan approval, or the sale of the buyer's current home. During that time, some sellers keep the listing visible and keep taking backup offers.

An active offer no bump status says the seller has accepted an offer and has agreed not to entertain or accept other offers, even higher ones. The listing may still show on search sites, but the first buyer's place is secure as long as they meet the contract terms.

In short, the home is not truly available. If you love it, you can ask to be a backup buyer. However, you would only move up if the first deal falls apart on its own.

What a bump clause is, and how it differs from active offer no bump

A bump clause, also called a kick-out clause, gives the seller a way out if a better offer comes along. It is most common when the first buyer needs to sell their own home before closing.

Here is how it usually works. The seller keeps marketing the home. If a stronger offer arrives, the seller notifies the first buyer. The first buyer then has a short window to remove the contingency and move forward, or step aside so the new offer can take its place.

In Florida, the Florida Realtors/Florida Bar contract forms include a Kick-Out Clause rider, called Rider X. Under it, a seller can keep entering into backup contracts. If the seller does, the first buyer must put down an added deposit and waive contingencies, such as the sale of the buyer's property, by a set date. If the buyer does not, the seller can move to the backup contract.

So the difference is simple. "Bump" means the seller can replace the first buyer. "No bump" means the seller cannot.

How local MLS statuses compare with active offer no bump

Most listings in Palm Beach County appear in the Beaches MLS. Its rules define each status, and the labels differ from the national search sites. Here is how the main ones are defined in the BeachesMLS rules.

Coming Soon

The home is for sale but not yet open for showings, open houses or broker opens. Days on market do not count during this period. The listing must carry a go-active date no more than 21 days from the list date, and it turns Active on that date. Offers can still be made.

Active

The home is available for showings and purchase. Any limits on showings must be disclosed in the listing.

Active Under Contract

The home is under contract, and the seller will consider backup offers. The contract may depend on something else, such as the sale of another property, a third-party approval, inspections or loan approval. Showings are allowed but not required, and days on market stop counting.

This is the closest local match to a listing that welcomes backups. Whether the seller can actually bump the first buyer depends on the contract, not the status. So if you see Active Under Contract, ask the listing agent whether a kick-out clause is in place.

Pending

The home is under contract and waiting to close. It is not available for showings, and the seller will not accept offers. This is the closest local match to a no bump situation, though the label is different.

Withdrawn, Temporarily Off Market, Expired and Closed

Withdrawn means the home is off the market, but the listing agreement is still in force. Temporarily Off Market means the same for a short time, such as during repairs, and can last up to 90 days at a time. Expired means the listing agreement has ended. Closed means the sale is done.

Where contingent fits in

"Contingent" is a word you will see on national sites and in other MLSs. It means the home is under contract but some condition still has to be met. Our post on what contingent means in real estate covers the common contingencies in Florida contracts. In the Beaches MLS, a contingent deal most often shows as Active Under Contract.

Because labels change from site to site, always check with an agent who can see the MLS record. The public site you are using may lag behind or use its own wording.

What active offer no bump means for sellers

As a seller, your choice of status should match your contract. If your buyer has strong financing and a short inspection period, you may want a clean path to closing. Moving to Pending tells other agents to stop calling.

On the other hand, if your buyer needs to sell a home first, you may want a kick-out clause and backup offers. In that case, Active Under Contract keeps your home in front of buyers while the first deal plays out.

Keep the status accurate. BeachesMLS rules require listing agents to update a status within two business days of a change. If a pending sale is canceled, the agent must report it right away, and the listing goes back to active. Our guide to reviewing offers covers how to compare offers with and without contingencies.

Tips for sellers weighing a bump

• Ask your agent how strong the first buyer's loan and deposit are.
• Weigh the price of the first offer against the risk that the buyer's own sale falls through.
• Set a clear deadline in the kick-out rider, and know what added deposit the buyer must post.
• Keep the home show-ready while you are still taking backups.

What active offer no bump means for buyers

If you see this status on a home you like, the odds of getting it are low. Still, deals do fall apart over inspections, appraisals and financing. A backup offer can put you next in line at no cost beyond your time.

For the buyer under contract, a no bump agreement gives you peace of mind. You can do your inspections and finish your loan without worrying that a higher offer will push you out.

If you need to sell your current home first, expect many sellers to ask for a kick-out clause. A strong plan for your own sale, or a loan that does not depend on it, makes your offer much stronger.

A quick cheat sheet for buyers and sellers

Statuses are easier to remember when you tie each one to a single question: can I still buy this home? Use this list as a rough guide, then confirm the details with an agent who can read the full MLS record.

• Coming Soon: Not yet open for showings, but you can still make an offer.
• Active: Open for showings and offers.
• Active Under Contract: Under contract, with backup offers welcome. A kick-out clause may or may not be in place.
• Active offer no bump: Under contract, and the seller will not replace the buyer. Backups only.
• Pending: Heading to closing, with no showings and no new offers.
• Closed: Sold.

Also keep in mind that a public site may show a status a day or two late. When a home you want changes status, ask your agent to check the MLS right away. Our post on why pending sales fall through explains the most common reasons a home comes back on the market, and how sellers can lower that risk from the start.

Frequently asked questions

Can I still make an offer on an active offer no bump listing?

You can submit a backup offer, but the seller has agreed not to replace the current buyer for a better offer. You would only move up if the first deal falls apart.

Is Active Under Contract the same as pending?

No. In the Beaches MLS, Active Under Contract means the seller will consider backup offers and the home may be shown. Pending means no showings and no new offers while the deal heads to closing.

What is a kick-out clause in Florida?

It is a contract rider, Rider X in the Florida Realtors/Florida Bar forms, that lets a seller accept backup contracts. The first buyer must then add a deposit and waive contingencies by a set date or lose the deal.

Why does a home still show as active after it is under contract?

The seller may be taking backup offers, or a public site may not have caught up with the MLS. Listing agents must update the MLS within two business days of a change, but outside sites can lag.

Sources

• BeachesMLS, Rules and Regulations (updated Aug. 15, 2024)
• Florida Realtors, optional clauses, riders and addenda
• HomeLight, what active offer no bump means
• Miami Realtors, MLS statuses

Getting ready to sell? Book a no-obligation listing consultation, and we will explain how we handle backup offers and kick-out clauses. Start with a free home valuation. Buyers can ask us to watch any under-contract home and alert you if it comes back. Talk with our team.