Direct answer
What does Contingency mean?
A contract condition that must be satisfied or waived for a stated obligation to become final or continue.
Exam cue: Read who benefits from the contingency, its deadline and what happens if the condition fails.
What does it look like in a question?
New York example
A mortgage contingency gives the buyer a stated period to obtain qualifying financing under the contract terms.
Common exam trap
What should you not confuse it with?
A contingency is not a casual preference. It is contract language with consequences.
Related contracts and leases terms
Sources used2 references with section locators
The curriculum citation confirms exam scope. Definition and rule citations support the explanation itself. Links and locators were checked on August 26, 2026.
- Real Estate Salesperson 77-Hour CurriculumNew York State Department of StateSupports: Exam scopeSection: Subject 4, The Contract of Sales and Leases
- Real Estate License Law, March 2026New York State Department of StateSupports: DefinitionSection: Department of State reference glossary entry for Contingency
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Put the term back into its full subject.
A definition helps with recall. The subject guide shows how the rule interacts with documents, scenarios, calculations and practice questions.