Estimated cost of a dead deal
$10,800
on a typical $328,000 home with a mortgage · $7,100 if it's paid off
- Contracts that fell apart
- 16% about 1 in 6 · 37 of 236
- Extra days on the market
- 70 92 vs. 22 on the first contract
- Lower sale price
- 1.5 pts 97.9% vs. 99.4% of first asking
- Never sold at all
- 15% of the homes whose deal died
When a deal dies on a home under 10 years old in Jacksonville, it costs the seller about $10,800
37 of about 236 contracts for homes under 10 years old in Jacksonville fell apart over the last 12 months — about 1 in 6. The ones that sold later took 70 more days and sold for 1.5 points less of their first asking price than homes that closed on the first contract. And 15% of the homes whose deal died never sold at all.
- Holding costs run about $83 a day on a typical $328,000 home — 70 extra days is about $5,830.
- The price scar alone is about $4,900 on a $328,000 home.
- 38% came back on the market at a lower price (a median 2.0% 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.
What would it cost you?
Put in your own numbers. Leave the loan at 0 if your home is paid off.
$10,800
70 extra days at about $83 a day = $5,832 in holding costs, plus $4,920 from a 1.5-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 $30/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 62% — after 92 days in all, for 97.9% of the first price
- Still trying 27% — back on the market or under contract again
- Never sold 11% — expired, canceled or withdrawn
Homes that sold on their first contract took 22 days and sold for 99.4% of their first price. 38% 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 | 686 | 24% | 43 | 3.0 pts | $10,100 |
| No crawl space | 1,315 | 16% | 39 | 2.2 pts | $9,100 |
By first asking price
| Contracts | Fell apart | Extra days | Price scar | Est. cost | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Under $300K | 1,340 | 20% | 36 | 1.9 pts | $6,800 |
| $300–400K | 610 | 15% | 45 | 2.0 pts | $10,300 |
| $400–500K | 88 | 14% | 9 | 1.3 pts | $6,400 |
| $500–750K | 30 | 23% | — | — | — |
Homes behind the numbers
Back on the market
Their contract fell apart; they're for sale again.
- 335 James Hedrick Court, JacksonvilleBack on the market · $260,000 · fell apart Sep 23, 2026
- 328 Aquamarine Circle, JacksonvilleBack on the market · $344,900 · fell apart Sep 18, 2026
- 117 Sparrows Point Lane, JacksonvilleBack on the market · $364,000 · fell apart Sep 15, 2026
- 849 Tuscarora Trail, JacksonvilleBack on the market · $319,000 · fell apart Aug 11, 2026
Under contract again
Second try under way.
- 1118 Old Tar Landing Road, JacksonvilleUnder contract again · $213,000 · fell apart Sep 1, 2026
Sold after a deal fell apart
It closed — on a later contract.
- 308 Otis Cove, JacksonvilleSold · $254,000 · fell apart Jul 25, 2026
- 405 Reno Place, JacksonvilleSold · $298,500 · fell apart Jun 12, 2026
- 512 Harvest Meadow Crossing, JacksonvilleSold · $402,000 · fell apart May 27, 2026
- 624 Drummond Grove Lane, JacksonvilleSold · $344,900 · fell apart May 13, 2026
- 1001 Ferry Spring Lane, JacksonvilleSold · $346,000 · fell apart May 2, 2026
- 211 Moonstone Court, JacksonvilleSold · $330,000 · fell apart Apr 27, 2026
- 502 Daisy May Place, JacksonvilleSold · $290,000 · fell apart Mar 31, 2026
- 101 Hawsboro Court, JacksonvilleSold · $265,000 · fell apart Mar 27, 2026
- 623 Drummond Grove Lane Lot 371, JacksonvilleSold · $293,000 · fell apart Mar 23, 2026
- 413 Stones Throw Court, JacksonvilleSold · $296,000 · fell apart Mar 13, 2026
- 420 Turp Landing Lane Lot 344, JacksonvilleSold · $357,490 · fell apart Feb 18, 2026
- 820 Tuscarora Trail, JacksonvilleSold · $333,000 · fell apart Feb 12, 2026
- 216 Browns Ferry Road 383, JacksonvilleSold · $358,740 · fell apart Jan 22, 2026
- 211 Holly Grove Court E, JacksonvilleSold · $335,000 · fell apart Jan 5, 2026
- 317 James Hedrick Court, JacksonvilleSold · $355,000 · fell apart Jan 2, 2026
- 217 Holly Grove Court E, JacksonvilleSold · $330,000 · fell apart Jan 2, 2026
- 205 Alexa Place, JacksonvilleSold · $212,500 · fell apart Dec 18, 2025
- 146 Poplar Street, JacksonvilleSold · $277,000 · fell apart Dec 11, 2025
- 304 Crossroads Store Drive, JacksonvilleSold · $479,990 · fell apart Dec 10, 2025
- 313 March Sea Lane, JacksonvilleSold · $399,900 · fell apart Oct 21, 2025
- 405 Water Wagon Trail, JacksonvilleSold · $407,400 · fell apart Oct 9, 2025
- 913 Courthouse Crossing, JacksonvilleSold · $350,000 · fell apart Oct 8, 2025
- 424 Turp Landing Lane, JacksonvilleSold · $320,000 · fell apart Oct 7, 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 Jacksonville?
37 of about 236 contracts for homes under 10 years old in Jacksonville fell apart over the last 12 months — about 1 in 6.
What does a failed contract cost a seller in Jacksonville?
About $10,800 on a typical $328,000 home — 70 extra days of holding costs (about $83 a day with a mortgage) plus a 1.5-point lower sale price. With no mortgage it's about $7,100.
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.