Estimated cost of a dead deal
$32,200
on a typical $245,000 home with a mortgage · $27,700 if it's paid off
- Contracts that fell apart
- 22% about 1 in 5 · 12 of 54
- Extra days on the market
- 114 130 vs. 16 on the first contract
- Lower sale price
- 10.1 pts 88.2% vs. 98.3% of first asking
- Never sold at all
- 25% of the homes whose deal died
When a deal dies on a home 30–49 years old in Leland, it costs the seller about $32,200
12 of about 54 contracts for homes 30–49 years old in Leland fell apart over the last 12 months — about 1 in 5. The ones that sold later took 114 more days and sold for 10.1 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 $65 a day on a typical $245,000 home — 114 extra days is about $7,420.
- The price scar alone is about $24,700 on a $245,000 home.
- 25% came back on the market at a lower price (a median 9.0% 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.
$32,200
114 extra days at about $65 a day = $7,417 in holding costs, plus $24,745 from a 10.1-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 50% — after 130 days in all, for 88.2% of the first price
- Still trying 33% — back on the market or under contract again
- Never sold 17% — expired, canceled or withdrawn
Homes that sold on their first contract took 16 days and sold for 98.3% of their first price. 25% 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 | 159 | 21% | 35 | 3.5 pts | $17,100 |
| No crawl space | 753 | 15% | 65 | 2.7 pts | $17,200 |
By first asking price
| Contracts | Fell apart | Extra days | Price scar | Est. cost | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Under $300K | 190 | 18% | 26 | 1.3 pts | $5,000 |
| $300–400K | 285 | 13% | 57 | 3.9 pts | $18,000 |
| $400–500K | 144 | 14% | 127 | 6.0 pts | $39,100 |
| $500–750K | 226 | 19% | 58 | 1.7 pts | $17,300 |
| $750K–1M | 98 | 18% | 67 | 2.1 pts | $29,100 |
| $1M+ | 22 | 14% | — | — | — |
Homes behind the numbers
Sold after a deal fell apart
It closed — on a later contract.
- 119 Dogwood Circle, LelandSold · $215,557 · fell apart Jul 28, 2026
- 10224 Timber Ridge Court SE, LelandSold · $490,000 · fell apart Jul 10, 2026
- 10250 Timber Ridge Court SE, LelandSold · $505,000 · fell apart Apr 13, 2026
- 8958 Dale Street NE, LelandSold · $318,000 · fell apart Mar 30, 2026
- 6832 Kilians Way NE, LelandSold · $275,000 · fell apart Jan 8, 2026
- 9135 Sue Circle NE, LelandSold · $339,000 · fell apart Dec 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 Leland?
12 of about 54 contracts for homes 30–49 years old in Leland fell apart over the last 12 months — about 1 in 5.
What does a failed contract cost a seller in Leland?
About $32,200 on a typical $245,000 home — 114 extra days of holding costs (about $65 a day with a mortgage) plus a 10.1-point lower sale price. With no mortgage it's about $27,700.
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.