Estimated cost of a dead deal
$40,700
on a typical $287,000 home with a mortgage · $35,000 if it's paid off
- Contracts that fell apart
- 31% about 1 in 3 · 11 of 36
- Extra days on the market
- 124 187 vs. 63 on the first contract
- Lower sale price
- 10.5 pts 84.2% vs. 94.7% of first asking
- Never sold at all
- 25% of the homes whose deal died
When a deal dies on a home with no crawl space in Crow Creek (Calabash), it costs the seller about $40,700
11 of about 36 contracts for homes with no crawl space (slab, basement or pilings) in Crow Creek (Calabash) fell apart over the last 12 months — about 1 in 3. The ones that sold later took 124 more days and sold for 10.5 points less of their first asking price than homes that closed on the first contract. And 25% of the homes whose deal died never sold at all.
- Holding costs run about $85 a day on a typical $287,000 home — 124 extra days is about $10,580.
- The price scar alone is about $30,100 on a $287,000 home.
- 55% came back on the market at a lower price (a median 13.3% 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.
$40,700
124 extra days at about $85 a day = $10,576 in holding costs, plus $30,135 from a 10.5-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 $367/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 55% — after 187 days in all, for 84.2% of the first price
- Still trying 27% — back on the market or under contract again
- Never sold 18% — expired, canceled or withdrawn
Homes that sold on their first contract took 63 days and sold for 94.7% of their first price. 55% 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 | 10 | 10% | — | — | — |
| 20–29 yrs | 33 | 33% | 69 | 5.6 pts | $19,400 |
Homes behind the numbers
Back on the market
Their contract fell apart; they're for sale again.
- 395 S Crow Creek Drive NW Unit 1201, CalabashBack on the market · $204,900 · fell apart Jun 2, 2026
- 250 S Crow Creek Drive NW 23, CalabashBack on the market · $230,000 · fell apart Feb 25, 2026
Sold after a deal fell apart
It closed — on a later contract.
- 260 Woodlands Way NW Unit 18, CalabashSold · $240,000 · fell apart Jul 10, 2026
- 395 S Crow Creek Drive NW Unit 1310, CalabashSold · $215,000 · fell apart Jun 18, 2026
- 9304 Honey Tree Lane NW # 2, CalabashSold · $415,000 · fell apart May 5, 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
- 250 S Crow Creek Drive NW 21, CalabashSold · $275,000 · fell apart Feb 17, 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 Crow Creek (Calabash)?
11 of about 36 contracts for homes with no crawl space (slab, basement or pilings) in Crow Creek (Calabash) fell apart over the last 12 months — about 1 in 3.
What does a failed contract cost a seller in Crow Creek (Calabash)?
About $40,700 on a typical $287,000 home — 124 extra days of holding costs (about $85 a day with a mortgage) plus a 10.5-point lower sale price. With no mortgage it's about $35,000.
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.