Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Advantage

Deal Killer Report · last 12 months

What a dead deal costs sellers in New Hanover County

When a contract falls apart, the home sits longer, costs more to carry and usually sells for less. Here's how often it happens and what it costs — from the MLS, not guesses.

Estimated cost of a dead deal

$21,700

on a typical $465,000 home with a mortgage · $17,700 if it's paid off

Contracts that fell apart
17%
about 1 in 6 · 718 of 4,348
Extra days on the market
53
77 vs. 24 on the first contract
Lower sale price
3.4 pts
93.7% vs. 97.1% of first asking
Never sold at all
25%
of the homes whose deal died
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When a deal dies in New Hanover County, it costs the seller about $21,700

718 of about 4,348 contracts for resale homes in New Hanover County fell apart over the last 12 months — about 1 in 6. The ones that sold later took 53 more days and sold for 3.4 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 $110 a day on a typical $465,000 home — 53 extra days is about $5,850.
  • The price scar alone is about $15,800 on a $465,000 home.
  • Where the MLS kept the date, the contract lasted a median of 20 days before it fell apart.
  • 36% came back on the market at a lower price (a median 6.4% 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.

$21,700

53 extra days at about $110 a day = $5,849 in holding costs, plus $15,810 from a 3.4-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 $40/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.

or text (910) 395-1000

What happened next

  • Sold later 53% — after 77 days in all, for 93.7% of the first price
  • Still trying 29% — back on the market or under contract again
  • Never sold 18% — expired, canceled or withdrawn

Homes that sold on their first contract took 24 days and sold for 97.1% of their first price. 36% of the homes that came back on the market cut their price.

When deals fall apart

Weeks after the home went under contract. Most die in the first few weeks — the inspection and due diligence window — and the rest over the appraisal, the loan or the closing.

  1. Week 120
  2. Week 236
  3. Week 349
  4. Week 435
  5. Week 512
  6. Week 68
  7. Week 713
  8. Week 85
  9. Later30

Based on the 208 deals where the MLS kept the contract date (median: 20 days).

Share of contracts that fell apart, month by month
  1. 16%Oct 25
  2. 18%Nov 25
  3. 13%Dec 25
  4. 17%Jan 26
  5. 11%Feb 26
  6. 19%Mar 26
  7. 18%Apr 26
  8. 19%May 26
  9. 14%Jun 26
  10. 13%Jul 26
  11. 16%Aug 26
  12. 21%Sep 26

Darker bars are well above the 12-month average (16.4%). Tap a month for its own report.

By age of the home

Older homes give inspectors more to find.

ContractsFell apartExtra daysPrice scarEst. cost
Under 10 yrs65813%332.1 pts$16,700
10–19 yrs37412%983.7 pts$33,000
20–29 yrs1,10214%543.6 pts$21,100
30–49 yrs1,27717%431.8 pts$12,200
50+ yrs93423%655.3 pts$27,600

Crawl space vs. no crawl space

Moisture, wood rot and insect damage under the house are common inspection findings on the coast.

ContractsFell apartExtra daysPrice scarEst. cost
Crawl space1,56818%704.0 pts$28,400
No crawl space2,60915%392.6 pts$15,700

By first asking price

ContractsFell apartExtra daysPrice scarEst. cost
Under $300K61019%393.8 pts$11,700
$300–400K1,01517%482.5 pts$12,700
$400–500K71915%282.0 pts$11,500
$500–750K1,04714%523.7 pts$28,200
$750K–1M42619%894.5 pts$53,400
$1M+53117%674.9 pts$88,500

Towns in New Hanover County

ContractsFell apartExtra daysPrice scarEst. cost
Wilmington3,59516%483.3 pts$19,500
Carolina Beach41523%944.7 pts$44,100
Castle Hayne15818%371.2 pts$7,700
Wrightsville Beach11114%11617.4 pts$332,600
Kure Beach10417%473.3 pts$32,500

Homes behind the numbers

Back on the market

Their contract fell apart; they're for sale again.

Under contract again

Second try under way.

Sold after a deal fell apart

It closed — on a later contract.

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 New Hanover County?

718 of about 4,348 contracts for resale homes in New Hanover County fell apart over the last 12 months — about 1 in 6.

What does a failed contract cost a seller in New Hanover County?

About $21,700 on a typical $465,000 home — 53 extra days of holding costs (about $110 a day with a mortgage) plus a 3.4-point lower sale price. With no mortgage it's about $17,700.

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. The MLS doesn't record why a contract ended. Source: Hive MLS data compiled by the Buddy Blake Team, updated October 3, 2026.

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