What is a Kick-Out Clause

Picture of Anna Tsvyetkov
Anna Tsvyetkov

Broker/REALTOR®
JMG -- Jason Mitchell Group

As the seller’s market continues to thrive across the country, sellers are
wondering how to choose the right offer. The frantic pace of the real estate
market has resulted in multiple offers on desirable properties. While this
may seem like a great problem for sellers to face, how do they know that
the buyer they choose can close on the home? Many times, sellers make
quick decisions and hope for the best, even as home prices continue to
climb.
This is where a kick-out clause can help.
A kick-out clause allows a seller to continue to market the home for sale
after accepting a buyer’s offer with contingencies. It also outlines the
conditions under which a seller can cancel, or kick-out, the contract if they
get a better offer.
Most real estate contracts include contingencies. Most common include
loan approval, appraisal, and home inspection. Often buyers will also
include a contingency to sell their current home. A kick-out clause protects
the seller from an escrow that drags on past the agreed-upon time frames.
For example, if a buyer is unable to sell their home or home inspection
negotiations continue past the time frames agreed to in the contract, a
seller can use the kick-out clause to force the buyer to remove the
contingency or cancel the contract.
Once escrow is opened, typically both parties must agree to close the
process. This can cause delays that cost the seller both time and money. A
kick-out clause is one way to ensure the escrow closes on time, and that
there are back-up offers ready to go if it doesn’t.

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Table of Contents

What is a Kick-Out Clause

As the seller’s market continues to thrive across the country, sellers arewondering how to choose the right offer. The frantic pace of the real estatemarket

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