Estimated cost of a dead deal
$44,500
on a typical $678,000 home with a mortgage · $35,100 if it's paid off
- Contracts that fell apart
- 25% about 1 in 4 · 26 of 105
- Extra days on the market
- 87 161 vs. 74 on the first contract
- Lower sale price
- 4.6 pts 90.0% vs. 94.6% of first asking
- Never sold at all
- 60% of the homes whose deal died
When a deal dies on a home 20–29 years old in Carolina Beach, it costs the seller about $44,500
26 of about 105 contracts for homes 20–29 years old in Carolina Beach fell apart over the last 12 months — about 1 in 4. The ones that sold later took 87 more days and sold for 4.6 points less of their first asking price than homes that closed on the first contract. And 60% of the homes whose deal died never sold at all.
- Holding costs run about $153 a day on a typical $678,000 home — 87 extra days is about $13,320.
- The price scar alone is about $31,200 on a $678,000 home.
- Where the MLS kept the date, the contract lasted a median of 43 days before it fell apart.
- 31% came back on the market at a lower price (a median 10.5% 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.
$44,500
87 extra days at about $153 a day = $13,320 in holding costs, plus $31,188 from a 4.6-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 $33/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.
What happened next
- Sold later 31% — after 161 days in all, for 90.0% of the first price
- Still trying 23% — back on the market or under contract again
- Never sold 46% — expired, canceled or withdrawn
Homes that sold on their first contract took 74 days and sold for 94.6% of their first price. 31% of the homes that came back on the market cut their price.
Crawl space vs. no crawl space
Moisture, wood rot and insect damage under the house are common inspection findings on the coast.
| Contracts | Fell apart | Extra days | Price scar | Est. cost | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crawl space | 58 | 28% | 145 | 5.6 pts | $65,900 |
| No crawl space | 334 | 22% | 89 | 5.4 pts | $48,400 |
By first asking price
Homes behind the numbers
Back on the market
Their contract fell apart; they're for sale again.
- 625 Spencer Farlow Drive 30, Carolina BeachBack on the market · $315,000 · fell apart Aug 20, 2026
- 902 Fifth Street S A & B, Carolina BeachBack on the market · $748,000 · fell apart Aug 19, 2026
- 1205 Swordfish Lane Unit 2, Carolina BeachBack on the market · $740,000 · fell apart Jul 11, 2026
- 109 Green Turtle Lane, Carolina BeachBack on the market · $899,500 · fell apart Jun 30, 2026
- 2 Clam Shell Lane Unit 9, Carolina BeachBack on the market · $699,000 · fell apart Mar 28, 2026
Sold after a deal fell apart
It closed — on a later contract.
- 215 Silver Sloop Way, Carolina BeachSold · $659,000 · fell apart Jul 16, 2026
- 1102 Canal Drive Unit A, Carolina BeachSold · $825,000 · fell apart Jun 27, 2026
- 2 Clam Shell Lane Unit 7, Carolina BeachSold · $700,000 · fell apart Jun 4, 2026
- 1701 Bowfin Lane Apt C, Carolina BeachSold · $480,000 · fell apart Mar 24, 2026
- 407 Donzi Court, Carolina BeachSold · $415,000 · fell apart Dec 23, 2025
- 902 Grand Bahama Drive, Carolina BeachSold · $1,650,000 · fell apart Dec 5, 2025
- 1507 Mackerel Lane Unit 1 & 2, Carolina BeachSold · $1,400,000 · fell apart Nov 30, 2025
- 630 Saint Joseph Street Unit 200, Carolina BeachSold · $700,000 · fell apart Oct 31, 2025
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 Carolina Beach?
26 of about 105 contracts for homes 20–29 years old in Carolina Beach fell apart over the last 12 months — about 1 in 4.
What does a failed contract cost a seller in Carolina Beach?
About $44,500 on a typical $678,000 home — 87 extra days of holding costs (about $153 a day with a mortgage) plus a 4.6-point lower sale price. With no mortgage it's about $35,100.
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.