Cash Backup.
Listing With a Cash Backup Offer
Keep the upside. Lose the risk.
The full listing — with a floor under it
Everything in our Traditional Listing service
Written cash offer
Predetermined trigger date
Both outcomes, compared
Timeline transparency
One point of contact
Two paths, one deadline
Consultation
Backup Offer Written
Preparation & Launch
Open-Market Pursuit
Trigger Date
Closing
Is this your path?
Need to run your numbers first?
Traditional Listing
Ready to list with a safety net?
How does listing with a cash backup work?
Your home is listed on the open market to pursue maximum value, while a written cash offer is prepared before the listing goes live. If the right buyer appears, you sell traditionally. If not, the cash offer is ready to execute on a set date, giving you a safety net.
Listing With Cash Backup at a glance
| Median home value | $640,300 (owner-occupied homes, Montgomery County, MD, 2020-2024) |
|---|---|
| Agent | Levi Loveless, RE/MAX Realty Group |
| Licensed in | Maryland and Virginia |
| Office | 7373 Wisconsin Ave Suite 1700, Bethesda, MD 20814 |
| Phone | (301) 275-7744 |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, table B25077.
Questions buyers and sellers ask
What is a trigger date on a cash backup offer?
The trigger date is a predetermined date when the backup cash offer can be executed, or it can be used at the seller's discretion. It gives you a fixed deadline, which matters because 13.6% of U.S. purchase agreements fell through in May 2026, according to the page.
Who is a cash backup listing best suited for?
It suits sellers who want top dollar but have a hard move date or financial pressure. That includes relocating sellers, people who cannot carry two mortgages indefinitely, and estates and trusts that need a predictable closing window. One point of contact manages both the market sale and the backup.
“They were fierce negotiators and worked tirelessly to get me a reduced sales price, which is a testament to their skill and expertise.”
Monica Z., Google review
What Is a Cash Backup Offer on a House? Questions Answered
Is a backup offer the same as a cash backup?
No. In a normal sale, a backup offer is a second buyer's contract that moves up only if the first one falls through. A cash backup is different: a written cash offer exists before your listing launches, so you have a known fallback price and date from day one.
What happens if my house doesn't sell in Maryland?
Without a plan, you face price cuts, more months of carrying costs or pulling the listing. With a cash backup, the written cash offer is ready on your predetermined trigger date, so a stalled listing does not strand your move. We also review pricing and feedback early, long before that date.
How much is a cash backup offer compared to market value?
It is below what the open market would likely pay, because a cash buyer takes on speed and condition risk. The page cites the average discount sellers accepted on cash purchases. That is why you list first: the backup sets your floor, and the market can still deliver more.
Is listing with a cash backup worth it?
Holding the backup costs nothing unless you use it, and the full listing still pursues top market value. The trade-off only appears if you execute it, because the cash price sits below market. It pays off when a failed or late sale would cost you more than that gap.
Do I still get full marketing when I list with a cash backup?
Yes. You get every traditional listing deliverable: pricing strategy, staging guidance, professional media, MLS exposure, digital advertising and negotiation. The written cash offer is prepared before launch, one point of contact manages both paths, and you get a clear comparison of what each would net.
Can I list with a cash backup in Northern Virginia?
Yes. The team is licensed in Maryland and Virginia, so this path is available in Fairfax, Loudoun, Arlington and Prince William counties as well as the Maryland counties we cover. One consultation maps what the market could deliver and what the backup provides by your date. Call (301) 275-7744.
Does a cash backup help if my buyer's contract falls through?
Yes, that is one of the two main risks it removes. The page notes that a meaningful share of purchase agreements fall through. If your buyer's financing or inspection collapses, the cash offer is still there by your trigger date, so you are not starting over from zero.
Can I buy my next home with a cash backup in place?
Often, yes. Knowing your floor price and latest sale date helps you and your lender plan a purchase with more confidence. We coordinate both sides so the sale and purchase line up. Your lender decides how a pending sale is treated when approving your new loan.
Can I list my house in Maryland and hold a cash offer at the same time?
Yes. With a cash backup listing, your home goes to market with full marketing while a written cash offer waits in reserve. If an open-market buyer pays more before your trigger date, you take that sale. If not, you can close on the cash offer on the timeline already agreed.
Tell us about your move. Levi or Taylor will reply personally, usually the same day.