Estimated cost of a dead deal
$23,300
on a typical $388,500 home with a mortgage · $16,000 if it's paid off
- Contracts that fell apart
- 22% about 1 in 5 · 16 of 74
- Extra days on the market
- 119 161 vs. 42 on the first contract
- Lower sale price
- 3.0 pts 93.1% vs. 96.1% of first asking
- Never sold at all
- 29% of the homes whose deal died
When a deal died in Southport in October 2025, it cost the seller about $23,300
16 of about 74 contracts for resale homes in Southport fell apart in October 2025 — about 1 in 5. The ones that sold later took 119 more days and sold for 3.0 points less of their first asking price than homes that closed on the first contract. And 29% of the homes whose deal died never sold at all. That's down 1.0 points from October 2024.
- Holding costs run about $98 a day on a typical $388,500 home — 119 extra days is about $11,680.
- The price scar alone is about $11,700 on a $388,500 home.
- 63% came back on the market at a lower price (a median 7.4% 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.
$23,300
119 extra days at about $98 a day = $11,679 in holding costs, plus $11,655 from a 3.0-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 $100/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.
Compared with other months
| Fell apart | Deals lost | Contracts | Est. cost | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| October 2025 | 22% | 16 | 74 | $23,300 |
| Month before | 12% | 7 | 59 | $25,600 |
| Same month last year | 23% | 12 | 53 | $44,800 |
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 63% — after 161 days in all, for 93.1% of the first price
- Still trying 13% — back on the market or under contract again
- Never sold 25% — expired, canceled or withdrawn
Homes that sold on their first contract took 42 days and sold for 96.1% of their first price. 63% of the homes that came back on the market cut their price.
By age of the home
Older homes give inspectors more to find.
| Contracts | Fell apart | Extra days | Price scar | Est. cost | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Under 10 yrs | 10 | 10% | — | — | — |
| 10–19 yrs | 16 | 19% | — | — | — |
| 20–29 yrs | 29 | 28% | 78 | 5.5 pts | $28,500 |
| 30–49 yrs | 15 | 27% | — | — | — |
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 | 32 | 25% | 82 | 4.9 pts | $27,300 |
| No crawl space | 35 | 17% | — | — | — |
By first asking price
| Contracts | Fell apart | Extra days | Price scar | Est. cost | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Under $300K | 11 | 9% | — | — | — |
| $300–400K | 23 | 22% | — | — | — |
| $500–750K | 16 | 19% | — | — | — |
| $750K–1M | 11 | 36% | — | — | — |
Homes behind the numbers
Sold after a deal fell apart
It closed — on a later contract.
- 4268 Loblolly Circle SE, SouthportSold · $799,900 · fell apart Oct 27, 2025
- 4148 Carlyle Place SE, SouthportSold · $395,000 · fell apart Oct 27, 2025
- 5001 Oquinn Boulevard SE Ste F, SouthportSold · $300,000 · fell apart Oct 20, 2025
- 5085 Wyncie Wynd, SouthportSold · $273,500 · fell apart Oct 20, 2025
- 4255 Ashfield Place, SouthportSold · $615,500 · fell apart Oct 12, 2025
- 1372 E Boiling Spring Road, SouthportSold · $241,000 · fell apart Oct 10, 2025
- 71 W South Shore Drive, SouthportSold · $325,000 · fell apart Oct 8, 2025
- 3660 Wingfoot Drive, SouthportSold · $1,300,000 · fell apart Oct 4, 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 Southport?
16 of about 74 contracts for resale homes in Southport fell apart in October 2025 — about 1 in 5.
What does a failed contract cost a seller in Southport?
About $23,300 on a typical $388,500 home — 119 extra days of holding costs (about $98 a day with a mortgage) plus a 3.0-point lower sale price. With no mortgage it's about $16,000.
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 October 2025 only.