So that’s when I just thought out of the box. This may be under contract and it’s a long shot, but why don’t we go look at it? The cards fell… and they ended up with the property!
A lot of home searches are straightforward. This one wasn’t.
A young couple reached out because they were ready for their next step and they knew exactly what they needed: not a massive farm, but a property that could comfortably support two horses.
There was one more non-negotiable: the home had to be within a tight radius of the Slippery Rock area. That would allow them to stay close to her family’s horse farm, where she worked and helped care for the animals.
This combination of needs narrowed the market fast. And after four months of diligent searching, it started to feel like the perfect match simply didn’t exist…
Bobbilyn refused to give up: there were real family needs and work responsibilities at stake. She recognized this couple needed more than let’s wait and hope something comes up – they needed a strategic move.
Bobbilyn eventually noticed a property with all the right ingredients: acreage, a large home, and a layout that could realistically support two horses with a barn and pasture. The catch? It was already under contract.
Most agents don’t even look at pending sales when searching for properties for their clients, given the extremely low odds of the existing contract falling through. Pulling a backup offer together also demands a considerable commitment from both the agent and the buyer:
If the original pending sale goes through, the agent has done the work without compensation, and the prospective buyers have wasted weeks or even months of their time. It is a very risky move.
Bobbilyn saw those odds and decided the long shot was worth it – because her clients’ dreams were worth it.
She carefully explained the legal and financial reality of submitting a backup offer, and then brought the young couple in to see the home. They fell in love immediately, and decided the risk was worth it for them, too.
Bobbilyn wrote the backup offer and the sellers accepted. Now all they could do was wait and hope.
The original contract fell through for unknown reasons. It could have been financing, sudden life changes, or some other undisclosed factor. Sometimes, a deal just falls apart.
What mattered was this: because Bobbilyn had taken action, her buyers were next in line. The young couple, overjoyed, moved forward, completed inspections, and closed the deal.
What started as a tough, narrow search became a win with real momentum. Bobbilyn’s clients secured a property in the exact area they needed, with the space to comfortably house two horses. They avoided even more months of waiting and uncertainty by taking this strategic step.
Soon after, they got married and started their next chapter together – and they are still living happily in their home today.
As a buyer, when your needs are niche, you want an agent who will listen closely, tell you the truth about your options, and look beyond the obvious paths to find your dream solution.
As a seller, accepting a backup offer can be a smart protection. It creates a clear next step if the primary contract doesn’t hold, reducing delays and keeping your sale moving forward.
If you’re buying or selling in Mercer County or the Pittsburgh North area, and you want a guide who will listen carefully, think creatively, and help you take the next step with confidence, reach out to Bonner Realty.
Yes, you can make a backup offer on a pending house in Pennsylvania. This means your offer becomes active if the current contract falls through. While not guaranteed, it can be a strategic way to compete for homes in low-inventory markets like Western PA.
A backup offer in real estate is a signed agreement that places a buyer second in line behind an accepted offer. If the first deal fails due to financing, inspections, or other issues, the backup buyer automatically moves into the primary position.
Submitting a backup offer can sometimes be worth it in competitive markets or when inventory is limited. Although risk is involved – since the original deal is very likely to close – it gives buyers an outside chance to secure a home they are interested in.
Pending home sales fall through for many reasons, including financing problems, low appraisals, inspection issues, and unexpected life changes. These situations occasionally create opportunities for backup buyers to step in and complete the purchase.
A local real estate agent in Mercer County, PA understands market trends, zoning laws, and hidden opportunities. They can identify creative solutions – like backup offers – that help buyers succeed in competitive or niche markets.
Our mission is to connect buyers and sellers in the fastest, most efficient and painless way possible, so that everyone can Experience Home with the greatest amount of joy. We will help you establish goals, create a plan, and achieve your desired results as quickly and conveniently as possible. If you or someone you know needs help buying or selling real estate, our team of highly rated agents is here to help. Please call us today!
© 2026 Bonner Realty, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy. “We Do Business in Accordance With the Federal Fair Housing Law”.
© 2026 Bonner Realty, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy. “We Do Business in Accordance With the Federal Fair Housing Law”.
