Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Advantage

Deal Killer Report · March 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

$24,200

on a typical $450,000 home with a mortgage · $20,000 if it's paid off

Contracts that fell apart
19%
about 1 in 5 · 73 of 379
Extra days on the market
58
81 vs. 23 on the first contract
Lower sale price
4.0 pts
93.5% vs. 97.5% of first asking
Never sold at all
22%
of the homes whose deal died
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When a deal died in New Hanover County in March 2026, it cost the seller about $24,200

73 of about 379 contracts for resale homes in New Hanover County fell apart in March 2026 — about 1 in 5. The ones that sold later took 58 more days and sold for 4.0 points less of their first asking price than homes that closed on the first contract. And 22% of the homes whose deal died never sold at all. That's up 4.0 points from March 2025.

  • Holding costs run about $107 a day on a typical $450,000 home — 58 extra days is about $6,190.
  • The price scar alone is about $18,000 on a $450,000 home.
  • Where the MLS kept the date, the contract lasted a median of 26 days before it fell apart.
  • 44% 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.

$24,200

58 extra days at about $107 a day = $6,195 in holding costs, plus $18,000 from a 4.0-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, HOA $27/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
March 202619%73379$24,200
Month before11%32280$13,600
Same month last year15%51333$23,900

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 73% — after 81 days in all, for 93.5% of the first price
  • Still trying 7% — back on the market or under contract again
  • Never sold 21% — expired, canceled or withdrawn

Homes that sold on their first contract took 23 days and sold for 97.5% of their first price. 44% 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 yrs5215%101.6 pts$10,300
10–19 yrs3123%163.0 pts$18,200
20–29 yrs8717%743.2 pts$21,200
30–49 yrs11013%381.0 pts$8,600
50+ yrs9830%785.2 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 space14420%1206.7 pts$45,200
No crawl space22219%212.0 pts$10,700

By first asking price

ContractsFell apartExtra daysPrice scarEst. cost
Under $300K4817%626.1 pts$18,700
$300–400K10022%715.5 pts$25,000
$400–500K7221%141.6 pts$8,400
$500–750K9211%1736.7 pts$60,900
$750K–1M2839%661.0 pts$20,800
$1M+3918%04.2 pts$62,200

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?

73 of about 379 contracts for resale homes in New Hanover County fell apart in March 2026 — about 1 in 5.

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

About $24,200 on a typical $450,000 home — 58 extra days of holding costs (about $107 a day with a mortgage) plus a 4.0-point lower sale price. With no mortgage it's about $20,000.

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. Numbers for March 2026 only.

Whenever you're ready — no forms, no pressure. Call or text and a real person answers.

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