Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Advantage

Deal Killer Report · January 2026

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

$8,000

on a typical $446,750 home with a mortgage · $4,200 if it's paid off

Contracts that fell apart
17%
about 1 in 6 · 45 of 265
Extra days on the market
54
86 vs. 32 on the first contract
Lower sale price
0.5 pts
95.3% vs. 95.8% of first asking
Never sold at all
26%
of the homes whose deal died
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When a deal died in New Hanover County in January 2026, it cost the seller about $8,000

45 of about 265 contracts for resale homes in New Hanover County fell apart in January 2026 — about 1 in 6. The ones that sold later took 54 more days and sold for 0.5 points less of their first asking price than homes that closed on the first contract. And 26% of the homes whose deal died never sold at all. About the same as a year earlier.

  • Holding costs run about $107 a day on a typical $446,750 home — 54 extra days is about $5,770.
  • The price scar alone is about $2,200 on a $446,750 home.
  • 27% came back on the market at a lower price (a median 6.9% 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.

$8,000

54 extra days at about $107 a day = $5,772 in holding costs, plus $2,234 from a 0.5-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 $33/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

Compared with other months

Fell apartDeals lostContractsEst. cost
January 202617%45265$8,000
Month before13%42313$28,900
Same month last year17%50295$27,200

Deals that fell apart in a recent month may still sell — their "what happened next" fills in over the coming months.

What happened next

  • Sold later 69% — after 86 days in all, for 95.3% of the first price
  • Still trying 7% — back on the market or under contract again
  • Never sold 24% — expired, canceled or withdrawn

Homes that sold on their first contract took 32 days and sold for 95.8% of their first price. 27% of the homes that came back on the market cut their price.

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 yrs3216%———
10–19 yrs225%———
20–29 yrs5917%110.0 pts$1,200
30–49 yrs8815%660.0 pts$6,700
50+ yrs6425%1804.1 pts$32,300

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 space9722%630.7 pts$10,800
No crawl space15614%440.4 pts$6,400

By first asking price

ContractsFell apartExtra daysPrice scarEst. cost
Under $300K3523%———
$300–400K6416%360.1 pts$3,400
$400–500K4511%———
$500–750K6218%840.9 pts$16,900
$750K–1M2322%———
$1M+3617%———

Homes behind the numbers

Back on the market

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

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?

45 of about 265 contracts for resale homes in New Hanover County fell apart in January 2026 — about 1 in 6.

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

About $8,000 on a typical $446,750 home — 54 extra days of holding costs (about $107 a day with a mortgage) plus a 0.5-point lower sale price. With no mortgage it's about $4,200.

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. Numbers for January 2026 only.

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