Pending Vs Active: Arcadia Listing Statuses Explained

Ever click on an Arcadia home and see “Active Under Contract” or “Pending” and wonder what it really means for you? In a market where listings can move quickly, status labels are more than labels. They tell you if you can tour, if offers are welcome, and how firm a deal is. In this guide, you’ll learn what each CRMLS status means, how to respond, and when to move fast or wait. Let’s dive in.

Why statuses matter in Arcadia

Listing status signals where a property is in its marketing and transaction timeline. In Arcadia, demand often clusters around lot size, home condition, and access to local amenities and services. That can create fast activity once a home goes live. Knowing the difference between Active, Active Under Contract, and Pending helps you decide whether to book a showing, write a competitive offer, or line up a smart backup.

CRMLS rules guide how statuses are used and updated, and each listing broker sets specific showing and offer instructions. That is why you should always read the remarks and confirm details with the listing agent before you act.

CRMLS statuses in Arcadia

Below are the core statuses you’ll see on Arcadia listings and what they mean for your next step.

Coming Soon

Coming Soon allows pre-marketing before the property is fully available for public showings. It alerts the market that the home will be listed soon.

• Showings: Typically not allowed while in Coming Soon unless the seller instructs otherwise. Ask the listing agent about showings.
• Offers: Most sellers do not accept binding offers yet. Some may review pre-offers or expressions of interest based on broker policy and seller preference.
• Visibility: Coming Soon can be visible to MLS subscribers and may appear on some public sites based on syndication settings, so what you see can vary.

Practical move: If you love the photos or location, reach out early. Ask about timing, whether pre-approval letters are helpful, and the first day you can tour.

Active

Active means the home is fully on the market for showings and the seller is generally inviting offers.

• Showings: Allowed per listing instructions.
• Offers: Sellers are usually reviewing offers. Multiple offers can occur when inventory is tight.
• Strategy: Have your pre-approval, proof of funds, and terms ready. Consider competitive terms if you face a deadline or strong interest from other buyers.

Practical move: Tour quickly, confirm offer deadlines, and submit a clean, complete offer package.

Active Under Contract

Active Under Contract means the seller has accepted an offer, often with contingencies, yet the listing remains active in the MLS. Showings and backup offers may still be allowed.

• Showings: Often allowed, depending on instructions.
• Offers: Backup offers are commonly considered. The seller is not fully committed to a firm sale until contingencies are resolved.
• Distinction: This is not the same as Pending. The listing is still being marketed while the first buyer works through contingencies.

Practical move: If the home checks your boxes, submit a strong backup offer. If the first contract wobbles over inspection, appraisal, or financing, you can step in without starting from scratch.

Pending

Pending signals the property is in escrow and often past major contingencies, or the seller has decided not to solicit further offers.

• Showings: Usually paused.
• Offers: Most sellers are not taking new offers, though some will accept written backup offers.
• Reality check: A Pending listing is usually not an immediate opportunity. You can still ask about backups or watch for status changes.

Practical move: If you are very interested, ask if the seller will consider a signed backup. Otherwise, monitor the listing in case it returns to Active status.

Accepting Backups

Accepting Backups indicates the seller is open to backup offers while an existing contract is in place. You might see this noted in remarks or reflected by the Active Under Contract status.

• Why it matters: Deals can fall apart over loan, appraisal, or inspection issues. A backup puts you next in line with minimal cost.
• How it works: Backup offers are typically written to become primary only if the current contract cancels.

Practical move: Keep terms clean and timelines clear. Be prepared to act quickly if you are elevated to primary position.

How to read a listing like a local

Check remarks beyond the status

The status is a headline. The remarks are the fine print. Look for notes on showing windows, offer deadlines, whether pre-offers are welcome, and whether the seller will accept backups. Private remarks seen by agents can also shape access and timing, so ask your agent to confirm details directly with the listing broker.

Questions to ask the listing agent

• Can I tour now, or only when it is Active?
• Will the seller review pre-offers during Coming Soon?
• If it is Active Under Contract or Pending, are backup offers being accepted?
• What are the contingency timelines and anticipated closing date?

These answers help you decide whether to write now, wait, or watch for the next status change.

Smart buyer plays by status

If it is Coming Soon or Active

• Get fully underwritten pre-approval and proof of funds ready.
• Confirm the first day of showings and any offer deadline.
• Tour early and submit a complete, well-documented offer on day one.
• Consider flexible terms that fit your risk tolerance, such as shorter contingency periods after you have reviewed disclosures.

If it is Active Under Contract

• Ask about backup offers and showing availability.
• Submit a backup with clear terms and readiness to move.
• Stay in close contact on contingency milestones in case the first deal falters.

If it is Pending

• Ask politely whether backups are allowed.
• If yes, submit a concise backup and keep your financing current.
• Set alerts to catch any change back to Active.

Timing, alerts, and staying ready

In busy segments, a home can move from Coming Soon to Active and into escrow quickly. Status change alerts help you react in real time. If a deal collapses and a listing returns to Active, you want to be the first to tour or resubmit.

Practical checklist:

• Set real-time alerts for new Arcadia listings and status changes.
• Keep pre-approval refreshed so you can write without delay.
• Review disclosures early when available.
• Decide in advance how you will structure contingencies and deposits.

Seller choices that shape your path

Sellers use Coming Soon to build interest before launch. Some keep a home Active Under Contract to encourage backups, while others go Pending to limit showings. Brokers must update statuses according to CRMLS rules, yet timing and strategy can vary by listing. For you, that means the status is a reliable guide, but the remarks and a quick call often reveal the steps that matter most.

Quick status flow recap

• Coming Soon: Pre-marketing, limited or no showings. Watch the timeline.
• Active: Fully on market, showings and offers welcome. Move fast.
• Active Under Contract: Offer accepted with contingencies, still marketed. Consider a backup.
• Pending: In escrow and often not taking new offers. Ask about backups.
• Accepting Backups: Seller is open to backups while in contract.

Your Arcadia advantage

When you understand the status language, you can focus on the right homes at the right time. Read the remarks, confirm showing rules, and match your offer strategy to the situation. If you want local guidance on timing, terms, and how to win without overreaching, a hands-on, Arcadia-based broker can make the difference.

Ready to move with clarity in Arcadia? Reach out to the team that has guided local buyers and sellers through every market cycle. Connect with Art Del Rey Realty Inc. to talk strategy and next steps.

FAQs

What does Coming Soon mean on Arcadia listings?

• It signals pre-marketing before public showings. Showings and formal offers are usually limited until the listing goes Active, so ask the listing agent about timing.

How is Active Under Contract different from Pending?

• Active Under Contract has an accepted offer with contingencies and continued marketing, while Pending is typically in escrow with fewer showings and often no new offers.

Can I make an offer on a Coming Soon home?

• Sellers often wait for Active status to review formal offers, though some may consider pre-offers based on instructions. Confirm with the listing agent.

Should I submit a backup offer in Arcadia?

• If you are serious about the property, a backup is a low-cost way to be next in line if the current deal falls through.

Do public sites always match the MLS status?

• Not always. Updates can vary by syndication and timing, so verify status, showing rules, and offer instructions with the listing agent.