Estimated cost of a dead deal
$26,000
on a typical $329,500 home with a mortgage · $18,500 if it's paid off
- Contracts that fell apart
- 29% about 1 in 3 · 11 of 38
- Extra days on the market
- 142 183 vs. 41 on the first contract
- Lower sale price
- 4.2 pts 91.7% vs. 95.9% of first asking
- Never sold at all
- 0% of the homes whose deal died
When a deal died in Calabash in July 2026, it cost the seller about $26,000
11 of about 38 contracts for resale homes in Calabash fell apart in July 2026 — about 1 in 3. The ones that sold later took 142 more days and sold for 4.2 points less of their first asking price than homes that closed on the first contract. And 0% of the homes whose deal died never sold at all. That's up 11.7 points from July 2025.
- Holding costs run about $85 a day on a typical $329,500 home — 142 extra days is about $12,140.
- The price scar alone is about $13,800 on a $329,500 home.
- 64% came back on the market at a lower price (a median 6.4% 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.
$26,000
142 extra days at about $85 a day = $12,140 in holding costs, plus $13,839 from a 4.2-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 $100/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 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| July 2026 | 29% | 11 | 38 | $26,000 |
| Month before | 24% | 11 | 46 | — |
| Same month last year | 17% | 5 | 29 | — |
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 45% — after 183 days in all, for 91.7% of the first price
- Still trying 55% — back on the market or under contract again
- Never sold 0% — expired, canceled or withdrawn
Homes that sold on their first contract took 41 days and sold for 95.9% of their first price. 64% 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 | 14 | 29% | — | — | — |
| 20–29 yrs | 11 | 27% | — | — | — |
By first asking price
| Contracts | Fell apart | Extra days | Price scar | Est. cost | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Under $300K | 13 | 31% | — | — | — |
| $300–400K | 10 | 10% | — | — | — |
Homes behind the numbers
Back on the market
Their contract fell apart; they're for sale again.
- 993 Middleton Drive NW, CalabashBack on the market · $599,900 · fell apart Jul 30, 2026
- 670 Calabash Road NW, CalabashBack on the market · $143,000 · fell apart Jul 22, 2026
- 1933 Coleman Lake Drive, CalabashBack on the market · $299,000 · fell apart Jul 8, 2026
- 482 Pepper Breeze Avenue SW, CalabashBack on the market · $284,900 · fell apart Jul 2, 2026
Under contract again
Second try under way.
- 9283 Oldfield Road NW, CalabashUnder contract again · $674,900 · fell apart Jul 2, 2026
Sold after a deal fell apart
It closed — on a later contract.
- 1096 Rutledge Court NW, CalabashSold · $485,000 · fell apart Jul 25, 2026
- 1652 White Starfish Court, CalabashSold · $465,000 · fell apart Jul 19, 2026
- 9205 Little Osprey Drive Lot 337, CalabashSold · $439,000 · fell apart Jul 10, 2026
- 260 Woodlands Way NW Unit 18, CalabashSold · $240,000 · fell apart Jul 10, 2026
- 10166 Beach Drive SW 5101, CalabashSold · $142,500 · fell apart Jul 6, 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?
11 of about 38 contracts for resale homes in Calabash fell apart in July 2026 — about 1 in 3.
What does a failed contract cost a seller in Calabash?
About $26,000 on a typical $329,500 home — 142 extra days of holding costs (about $85 a day with a mortgage) plus a 4.2-point lower sale price. With no mortgage it's about $18,500.
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 July 2026 only.