Estimated cost of a dead deal
$16,800
on a typical $552,500 home with a mortgage · $13,400 if it's paid off
- Contracts that fell apart
- 17% about 1 in 6 · 11 of 65
- Extra days on the market
- 39 92 vs. 53 on the first contract
- Lower sale price
- 2.1 pts 94.9% vs. 97.0% of first asking
- Never sold at all
- 11% of the homes whose deal died
When a deal dies on a home with no crawl space in Riverlights (Wilmington), it costs the seller about $16,800
11 of about 65 contracts for homes with no crawl space (slab, basement or pilings) in Riverlights (Wilmington) fell apart over the last 12 months — about 1 in 6. The ones that sold later took 39 more days and sold for 2.1 points less of their first asking price than homes that closed on the first contract. And 11% of the homes whose deal died never sold at all.
- Holding costs run about $134 a day on a typical $552,500 home — 39 extra days is about $5,210.
- The price scar alone is about $11,600 on a $552,500 home.
- 46% came back on the market at a lower price (a median 5.4% 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.
$16,800
39 extra days at about $134 a day = $5,213 in holding costs, plus $11,603 from a 2.1-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, HOA $155/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.
What happened next
- Sold later 73% — after 92 days in all, for 94.9% of the first price
- Still trying 18% — back on the market or under contract again
- Never sold 9% — expired, canceled or withdrawn
Homes that sold on their first contract took 53 days and sold for 97.0% of their first price. 46% of the homes that came back on the market cut their price.
By first asking price
| Contracts | Fell apart | Extra days | Price scar | Est. cost | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $400–500K | 12 | 17% | — | — | — |
| $500–750K | 40 | 13% | — | — | — |
Homes behind the numbers
Back on the market
Their contract fell apart; they're for sale again.
- 713 Cecil Point, WilmingtonBack on the market · $795,000 · fell apart Jul 30, 2026
- 3334 Oyster Tabby Drive, WilmingtonBack on the market · $879,000 · fell apart Jun 24, 2026
Sold after a deal fell apart
It closed — on a later contract.
- 232 Trisail Terrace, WilmingtonSold · $565,000 · fell apart Aug 17, 2026
- 3350 Oyster Tabby Drive, WilmingtonSold · $745,000 · fell apart Jun 22, 2026
- 753 Edgerton Drive, WilmingtonSold · $530,000 · fell apart May 3, 2026
- 4721 Siddons Drive, WilmingtonSold · $424,000 · fell apart Apr 24, 2026
- 923 Wharton Avenue, WilmingtonSold · $312,500 · fell apart Apr 21, 2026
- 804 Trisail Terrace, WilmingtonSold · $539,000 · fell apart Feb 1, 2026
- 4563 Old Towne Street, WilmingtonSold · $557,500 · fell apart Jan 6, 2026
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 Riverlights (Wilmington)?
11 of about 65 contracts for homes with no crawl space (slab, basement or pilings) in Riverlights (Wilmington) fell apart over the last 12 months — about 1 in 6.
What does a failed contract cost a seller in Riverlights (Wilmington)?
About $16,800 on a typical $552,500 home — 39 extra days of holding costs (about $134 a day with a mortgage) plus a 2.1-point lower sale price. With no mortgage it's about $13,400.
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.