Can I Back Out If I Make an Offer on a House and Then Change My Mind?

Buying a home is one of the biggest decisions you'll ever make—so it's completely normal to feel a little unsure after making an offer. What happens if you have second thoughts? Can you back out of a home offer once it's been submitted?

The short answer is: yes, you can back out—but how and when you do it matters. Here's what you need to know:

📝 Before the Seller Accepts Your Offer

If you’ve submitted an offer and the seller hasn’t accepted it yet, you’re in the clear. You can withdraw your offer at any time before it’s signed by the seller. Once both parties sign the contract, though, things get a bit more complicated.

📑 After the Offer Is Accepted

Once your offer is accepted, you’ve entered into a legally binding contract. That means you can’t just walk away without potential consequences. However, there are still a few key points in the contract that may give you a safe exit.

⚠️ Common Contingencies That Offer Protection

Most real estate contracts include contingencies—these are conditions that must be met for the sale to move forward. If any of these aren’t met, you can back out of the deal without losing your earnest money deposit:

• Home inspection contingency: If the inspection reveals major issues and you’re not comfortable proceeding, you can walk away or negotiate repairs.
  
• Financing contingency: If you’re unable to secure a mortgage loan, this allows you to cancel the contract.
  
• Appraisal contingency: If the home appraises for less than the purchase price and you and the seller can’t agree on a solution, you can back out.
  
• Sale of current home contingency: If you need to sell your current home first and that doesn’t happen in time, this protects you.
  

Your real estate agent will make sure these contingencies are included in your offer (if needed) to protect you as a buyer.

💸 What If I Just Change My Mind?

If you simply get cold feet and decide not to buy—even if all contingencies are met—you may be at risk of losing your earnest money deposit. In some cases, the seller could even take legal action to enforce the contract, though this is rare and depends on your local laws and the specifics of the agreement.

That’s why it’s so important to communicate openly with your real estate agent, read your contract carefully, and only make an offer when you’re truly ready to move forward.

✅ Key Takeaways

• You can back out before the seller accepts your offer with no consequences.
  
• After acceptance, you may still be able to cancel if certain contingencies aren’t met.
  
• If you back out for no valid contractual reason, you could lose your deposit or face other consequences.

💬 Final Thoughts

Changing your mind is human—and buying a home is a big deal. If you’re ever unsure, talk it through with your real estate agent. We’re here to help guide you every step of the way, from writing a solid offer to making sure your interests are protected throughout the process.

Got questions or thinking about buying a home? Let’s chat!