Estimated cost of a dead deal
$41,100
on a typical $570,000 home with a mortgage · $38,700 if it's paid off
- Contracts that fell apart
- 18% about 1 in 6 · 20 of 111
- Extra days on the market
- 26 88 vs. 62 on the first contract
- Lower sale price
- 6.6 pts 88.1% vs. 94.7% of first asking
- Never sold at all
- 38% of the homes whose deal died
When a deal dies on a home 20–29 years old in Oak Island, it costs the seller about $41,100
20 of about 111 contracts for homes 20–29 years old in Oak Island fell apart over the last 12 months — about 1 in 6. The ones that sold later took 26 more days and sold for 6.6 points less of their first asking price than homes that closed on the first contract. And 38% of the homes whose deal died never sold at all.
- Holding costs run about $132 a day on a typical $570,000 home — 26 extra days is about $3,440.
- The price scar alone is about $37,600 on a $570,000 home.
- 30% came back on the market at a lower price (a median 6.0% 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.
$41,100
26 extra days at about $132 a day = $3,444 in holding costs, plus $37,620 from a 6.6-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 25% — after 88 days in all, for 88.1% of the first price
- Still trying 60% — back on the market or under contract again
- Never sold 15% — expired, canceled or withdrawn
Homes that sold on their first contract took 62 days and sold for 94.7% of their first price. 30% 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 | 136 | 19% | 84 | 5.5 pts | $36,300 |
| No crawl space | 427 | 15% | 42 | 2.4 pts | $23,900 |
By first asking price
Homes behind the numbers
Back on the market
Their contract fell apart; they're for sale again.
- 204 NE 60th Street, Oak IslandBack on the market · $774,900 · fell apart Oct 1, 2026
- 104 SW 30th Street, Oak IslandBack on the market · $715,000 · fell apart Oct 1, 2026
- 105 SE 17th Street, Oak IslandBack on the market · $649,999 · fell apart Sep 2, 2026
- 308 E Beach Drive, Oak IslandBack on the market · $1,375,000 · fell apart Aug 28, 2026
- 121 SE 67th Street, Oak IslandBack on the market · $2,990,000 · fell apart Jun 18, 2026
- 2911 E Pelican Drive, Oak IslandBack on the market · $1,090,000 · fell apart Apr 1, 2026
- 1803 W Yacht Drive, Oak IslandBack on the market · $679,000 · fell apart Feb 15, 2026
Sold after a deal fell apart
It closed — on a later contract.
- 602 Mimosa Place, Oak IslandSold · $1,375,000 · fell apart Jul 23, 2026
- 107 NW 16th Street, Oak IslandSold · $450,000 · fell apart Jul 19, 2026
- 2003 W Pelican Drive, Oak IslandSold · $1,180,000 · fell apart Apr 6, 2026
- 3724 E Beach Drive, Oak IslandSold · $1,100,000 · fell apart Jan 20, 2026
- 6 White Lane, Oak IslandSold · $535,000 · fell apart Nov 30, 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 Oak Island?
20 of about 111 contracts for homes 20–29 years old in Oak Island fell apart over the last 12 months — about 1 in 6.
What does a failed contract cost a seller in Oak Island?
About $41,100 on a typical $570,000 home — 26 extra days of holding costs (about $132 a day with a mortgage) plus a 6.6-point lower sale price. With no mortgage it's about $38,700.
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.