Estimated cost of a dead deal
$26,700
on a typical $317,450 home with a mortgage · $22,800 if it's paid off
- Contracts that fell apart
- 26% about 1 in 4 · 10 of 38
- Extra days on the market
- 77 139 vs. 62 on the first contract
- Lower sale price
- 6.4 pts 88.6% vs. 95.0% of first asking
- Never sold at all
- 20% of the homes whose deal died
When a deal died in Calabash in April 2026, it cost the seller about $26,700
10 of about 38 contracts for resale homes in Calabash fell apart in April 2026 — about 1 in 4. The ones that sold later took 77 more days and sold for 6.4 points less of their first asking price than homes that closed on the first contract. And 20% of the homes whose deal died never sold at all. That's up 6.9 points from April 2025.
- Holding costs run about $82 a day on a typical $317,450 home — 77 extra days is about $6,340.
- The price scar alone is about $20,300 on a $317,450 home.
- 70% came back on the market at a lower price (a median 11.1% below the first price).
- Most resale deals die over the home inspection, the appraisal or the buyer's loan. A pre-market inspection finds the big items before a buyer does.
What would it cost you?
Put in your own numbers. Leave the loan at 0 if your home is paid off.
$26,700
77 extra days at about $82 a day = $6,339 in holding costs, plus $20,317 from a 6.4-point lower price.
An estimate, not a quote. Uses this area's extra days and price scar; interest only on the mortgage; taxes scaled from the area's median bill; insurance $250/month, upkeep 1% of value a year, utilities $250/month, HOA $92/month (area median).
Take the surprise off the table
Most resale deals die over the inspection, the appraisal or the loan. A pre-market inspection finds the big items before a buyer does — so there's nothing left to renegotiate or walk away over. It's part of our home selling system.
Compared with other months
| Fell apart | Deals lost | Contracts | Est. cost | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| April 2026 | 26% | 10 | 38 | $26,700 |
| Month before | 24% | 6 | 25 | — |
| Same month last year | 19% | 7 | 36 | $41,700 |
Deals that fell apart in a recent month may still sell — their "what happened next" fills in over the coming months.
What happened next
- Sold later 80% — after 139 days in all, for 88.6% of the first price
- Still trying 0% — back on the market or under contract again
- Never sold 20% — expired, canceled or withdrawn
Homes that sold on their first contract took 62 days and sold for 95.0% of their first price. 70% of the homes that came back on the market cut their price.
By age of the home
Older homes give inspectors more to find.
| Contracts | Fell apart | Extra days | Price scar | Est. cost | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Under 10 yrs | 11 | 36% | — | — | — |
| 20–29 yrs | 11 | 18% | — | — | — |
By first asking price
| Contracts | Fell apart | Extra days | Price scar | Est. cost | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Under $300K | 14 | 29% | — | — | — |
| $300–400K | 16 | 25% | — | — | — |
Homes behind the numbers
Sold after a deal fell apart
It closed — on a later contract.
- 76 Calabash Drive, CalabashSold · $290,000 · fell apart Apr 27, 2026
- 378 Thicket Drive NW, CalabashSold · $410,000 · fell apart Apr 22, 2026
- 1061 Mille Avenue SW, CalabashSold · $209,000 · fell apart Apr 19, 2026
- 1036 Palm Court SW, CalabashSold · $265,000 · fell apart Apr 14, 2026
- 641 Meadowbrook Lane, CalabashSold · $299,000 · fell apart Apr 2, 2026
- 260 Woodlands Way Unit 13, CalabashSold · $238,000 · fell apart Apr 2, 2026
- 395 S Crow Creek Drive NW 1615, CalabashSold · $246,000 · fell apart Apr 1, 2026
- 407 Maplewood Drive NW, CalabashSold · $264,500 · fell apart Apr 1, 2026
Most recent first. Homes that were withdrawn, expired or canceled are counted in the numbers but not listed here.
Questions sellers ask
How often do home sale contracts fall apart in Calabash?
10 of about 38 contracts for resale homes in Calabash fell apart in April 2026 — about 1 in 4.
What does a failed contract cost a seller in Calabash?
About $26,700 on a typical $317,450 home — 77 extra days of holding costs (about $82 a day with a mortgage) plus a 6.4-point lower sale price. With no mortgage it's about $22,800.
Why do home sale contracts fall apart?
The MLS doesn't record the reason. In our experience the most common are home inspection findings (roof, HVAC, moisture and crawl space, wood-destroying insects, electrical and plumbing), appraisals below the price, and buyer financing. In North Carolina a buyer can walk away for any reason during the due diligence period.
How can a seller keep a deal from falling apart?
Have the home inspected before it goes on the market, then fix or disclose the big items up front. Buyers can't use a surprise to renegotiate or walk away when there's no surprise left. A pre-market inspection is part of the Buddy Blake Team's home selling system.
Resale homes only — new construction and land are left out. A deal "fell apart" when a home went under contract and then came back on the market, or was canceled, withdrawn or expired after a contract was written, however long the contract lasted. Extra days and the price scar compare homes that sold after a deal fell apart with homes that sold on their first contract in the same area and slice. The MLS doesn't record why a contract ended. Source: Hive MLS data compiled by the Buddy Blake Team, updated October 3, 2026. Numbers for April 2026 only.