Estimated cost of a dead deal
—
on a typical $361,000 home with a mortgage · — if it's paid off
- Contracts that fell apart
- 24% about 1 in 4 · 10 of 41
- Extra days on the market
- — — vs. 45 on the first contract
- Lower sale price
- — — vs. 97.1% of first asking
- Never sold at all
- 43% of the homes whose deal died
24% of contracts for homes 10–19 years old in Duplin County fell apart
10 of about 41 contracts for homes 10–19 years old in Duplin County fell apart over the last 12 months — about 1 in 4. And 43% of the homes whose deal died never sold at all.
- 40% came back on the market at a lower price (a median 6.0% 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.
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 40% — after — days in all, for — of the first price
- Still trying 30% — back on the market or under contract again
- Never sold 30% — expired, canceled or withdrawn
Homes that sold on their first contract took 45 days and sold for 97.1% of their first price. 40% 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 | 228 | 24% | 40 | 5.4 pts | $16,100 |
| No crawl space | 40 | 20% | 53 | 7.2 pts | $27,600 |
By first asking price
| Contracts | Fell apart | Extra days | Price scar | Est. cost | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Under $300K | 199 | 26% | 53 | 5.2 pts | $12,500 |
| $300–400K | 54 | 26% | 52 | 7.6 pts | $28,800 |
| $400–500K | 28 | 14% | — | — | — |
| $500–750K | 38 | 29% | 139 | 3.8 pts | $42,700 |
Homes behind the numbers
Back on the market
Their contract fell apart; they're for sale again.
- 157 Alphin Lane, WarsawBack on the market · $447,000 · fell apart Oct 1, 2026
- 335 Bull Tail Road, WallaceBack on the market · $624,999 · fell apart Jul 18, 2026
Under contract again
Second try under way.
- 131 Thomas Roberts Road, MagnoliaUnder contract again · $192,000 · fell apart Jul 20, 2026
Sold after a deal fell apart
It closed — on a later contract.
- 159 Batchelor Farm Lane, KenansvilleSold · $157,000 · fell apart Apr 21, 2026
- 249 Muscadine Trail, WallaceSold · $540,000 · fell apart Feb 1, 2026
- 151 Pilot House Drive, WallaceSold · $664,000 · fell apart Jan 16, 2026
- 124 Fieldcrest Lane, BeulavilleSold · $212,000 · fell apart Nov 20, 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 Duplin County?
10 of about 41 contracts for homes 10–19 years old in Duplin County fell apart over the last 12 months — about 1 in 4.
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.