What Is a Contingency in a Real Estate Contract in New Hampshire?

🏡 What Is a Contingency in a Real Estate Contract in New Hampshire?

When you make an offer on a home in New Hampshire, contingencies protect you if something goes wrong during the buying process.

In towns like Plymouth, Campton, Bristol, Rumney, Thornton, and Ashland, contingencies are standard and extremely important — especially for older homes, cabins, and rural properties.

Here’s exactly how contingencies work and which ones you should never skip.

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What Is a Contingency?

A contingency is a clause in the contract that allows you to walk away with your earnest money if the issue covered by the contingency occurs.

Think of a contingency as a buyer safety net.

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Most Common NH Contingencies

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1. Home Inspection Contingency

This allows you to back out or renegotiate if the inspection finds issues like:

Roof problems

Mold

Foundation concerns

Failing septic

Well contamination

Unsafe electrical

Structural damage

This is the MOST important contingency in rural NH.

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2. Appraisal Contingency

Required by lenders.

If the home appraises below the offer price:

You may:

Renegotiate

Ask for a seller price drop

Pay the difference

Walk away

This keeps you from overpaying.

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3. Financing Contingency

If your loan falls through for ANY lender-approved reason, you can cancel and keep your earnest money.

Common causes:

Job change

Credit issue

Debt-to-income changes

Lender denial

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4. Title Contingency

Protects you from buying a home with:

Liens

Ownership disputes

Unpaid taxes

Incorrect deeds

Legal issues

The title must be clear before you close.

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5. Sale-of-Home Contingency (Sometimes Used)

If you need to sell your current home first, this protects you.

However, in competitive NH markets, sellers often reject this one.

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Why Contingencies Matter in New Hampshire

Because NH has:

Many older homes

Private septic systems

Private wells

Rural properties

Seasonal cabins

Off-grid setups

Mountain and ledge foundations

Contingencies protect buyers from expensive surprises.

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Q&A

Q: What is a contingency in NH real estate?

A: It’s a contract clause that protects buyers by allowing them to cancel or renegotiate if certain issues come up.

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Keywords

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About the Author

🏡 What Is a Septic Pumping Schedule and How Often Should NH Homeowners Pump?

For many homes in Plymouth, Campton, Rumney, Thornton, and rural parts of Central NH, septic systems are the norm — not the exception.

Keeping your septic system healthy starts with a regular pumping schedule.

Here’s how often NH homeowners should pump and why it matters.

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How Often Should a Septic Tank Be Pumped in NH?

Most New Hampshire homes should pump their septic tank every:

✔ 2–3 years for average households

✔ Every year for large families or heavy water usage

✔ Every 4–5 years for seasonal/low-use properties

Tank size, number of occupants, and water usage heavily affect the schedule.

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What Happens If You Don’t Pump Frequently Enough?

Delaying septic pumping can lead to:

⚠ Backups into the home

⚠ Drainfield failure

⚠ Slow drains and gurgling

⚠ Expensive repairs ($10,000–$25,000+)

NH homes with high water tables or older systems are especially vulnerable.

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What Affects Septic Pumping Frequency?

In Central NH, factors include:

✔ Number of people in the home

✔ Tank size

✔ Age of the system

✔ Garbage disposal use

✔ Well water vs. city water (well water often increases sediment)

✔ Soil conditions and drainage

If you don’t know the last pump date, assume it’s overdue.

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Signs Your Septic Tank Needs Pumping

Watch for:

⚠ Standing water near the tank or drainfield

⚠ Slow sinks or showers

⚠ Foul smells outdoors

⚠ Toilets bubbling when running water

⚠ Lush green grass over the drainfield

These warning signs can indicate the system is nearing failure.

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Q&A

Q: Can NH buyers request septic pumping before closing?

A: Yes — many buyers negotiate pumping or inspection during the due diligence period.

Q: Does pumping fix all septic issues?

A: No. Pumping maintains the tank, but drainfield issues often require separate repairs.

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Keywords

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Jim Johnson — Real Estate Agent

58 NH Route 25A

Wentworth, NH 03282

P: (857) 249-7392

W: www.JimJohnsonRealEstateAgent.com

Licensed New Hampshire REALTOR® with Three Hills Real Estate Services

Broker Email: info@ThreeHillsRES.com

Broker Website: www.ThreeHillsRES.com