Estimated cost of a dead deal
$45,500
on a typical $1,327,500 home with a mortgage · $11,000 if it's paid off
- Contracts that fell apart
- 20% about 1 in 5 · 12 of 61
- Extra days on the market
- 163 190 vs. 27 on the first contract
- Lower sale price
- 0.0 pts 93.5% vs. 93.4% of first asking
- Never sold at all
- 38% of the homes whose deal died
When a deal dies on a home listed $1M and up in Holden Beach, it costs the seller about $45,500
12 of about 61 contracts for homes listed $1M and up in Holden Beach fell apart over the last 12 months — about 1 in 5. The ones that sold later took 163 more days and sold for 0.0 points less of their first asking price than homes that closed on the first contract. And 38% of the homes whose deal died never sold at all.
- Holding costs run about $279 a day on a typical $1,327,500 home — 163 extra days is about $45,550.
- 42% came back on the market at a lower price (a median 9.6% 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.
$45,600
163 extra days at about $279 a day = $45,550 in holding costs, plus $0 from a 0.0-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.
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 42% — after 190 days in all, for 93.5% of the first price
- Still trying 33% — back on the market or under contract again
- Never sold 25% — expired, canceled or withdrawn
Homes that sold on their first contract took 27 days and sold for 93.4% of their first price. 42% 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 | 9% | — | — | — |
| 10–19 yrs | 14 | 21% | — | — | — |
| 20–29 yrs | 27 | 19% | — | — | — |
| 30–49 yrs | 58 | 22% | — | — | — |
| 50+ yrs | 24 | 21% | — | — | — |
Homes behind the numbers
Back on the market
Their contract fell apart; they're for sale again.
- 1046 Tide Ridge Drive, Holden BeachBack on the market · $1,249,000 · fell apart Sep 1, 2026
- 128 Blockade Runner Drive, Holden BeachBack on the market · $1,200,000 · fell apart Apr 21, 2026
- 1097 Ocean Boulevard W, Holden BeachBack on the market · $1,175,000 · fell apart Mar 30, 2026
- 1149 Ocean Boulevard W, Holden BeachBack on the market · $2,599,000 · fell apart Feb 2, 2026
Sold after a deal fell apart
It closed — on a later contract.
- 147 Yacht Watch Drive, Holden BeachSold · $900,000 · fell apart Jul 23, 2026
- 127 Ocean Boulevard W, Holden BeachSold · $1,612,500 · fell apart Feb 14, 2026
- 877 Ocean Boulevard W, Holden BeachSold · $1,440,000 · fell apart Jan 19, 2026
- 533 Ocean Boulevard W, Holden BeachSold · $1,810,000 · fell apart Jan 4, 2026
- 491 Ocean Boulevard W, Holden BeachSold · $1,270,000 · fell apart Oct 26, 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 Holden Beach?
12 of about 61 contracts for homes listed $1M and up in Holden Beach fell apart over the last 12 months — about 1 in 5.
What does a failed contract cost a seller in Holden Beach?
About $45,500 on a typical $1,327,500 home — 163 extra days of holding costs (about $279 a day with a mortgage) plus a 0.0-point lower sale price. With no mortgage it's about $11,000.
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.