While house-hopping, you may find the home of your dreams only to find the seller has taken it off the market. Someone's made an offer. With a backup offer, you could still buy that home.
A backup offer means that you get to swoop in and buy the house should the original deal fall through. The original offer may fall through because the buyer couldn't get funding or didn't like the inspection. You can limit the backup offer to 30 days and write it so you aren't obligated to buy the house.
Hit the link for the details on writing a backup offer instead of assuming a house is off the market.
Why You May Lose A Bidding War, But Still Get The House Of Your Dreams | Forbes
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