Estimated cost of a dead deal
$47,900
on a typical $820,000 home with a mortgage · $36,400 if it's paid off
- Contracts that fell apart
- 23% about 1 in 4 · 18 of 80
- Extra days on the market
- 88 137 vs. 49 on the first contract
- Lower sale price
- 3.9 pts 92.4% vs. 96.3% of first asking
- Never sold at all
- 31% of the homes whose deal died
When a deal dies on a home listed $750K–$1M in St James (Southport), it costs the seller about $47,900
18 of about 80 contracts for homes listed $750K–$1M in St James (Southport) fell apart over the last 12 months — about 1 in 4. The ones that sold later took 88 more days and sold for 3.9 points less of their first asking price than homes that closed on the first contract. And 31% of the homes whose deal died never sold at all.
- Holding costs run about $181 a day on a typical $820,000 home — 88 extra days is about $15,940.
- The price scar alone is about $32,000 on a $820,000 home.
- 44% came back on the market at a lower price (a median 6.5% 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.
$47,900
88 extra days at about $181 a day = $15,940 in holding costs, plus $31,980 from a 3.9-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 $115/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 50% — after 137 days in all, for 92.4% of the first price
- Still trying 28% — back on the market or under contract again
- Never sold 22% — expired, canceled or withdrawn
Homes that sold on their first contract took 49 days and sold for 96.3% of their first price. 44% of the homes that came back on the market cut their price.
By age of the home
Older homes give inspectors more to find.
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 | 133 | 26% | 131 | 7.1 pts | $74,700 |
| No crawl space | 154 | 18% | 93 | 4.7 pts | $43,700 |
Homes behind the numbers
Under contract again
Second try under way.
- 2787 St James Drive SE, SouthportUnder contract again · $849,000 · fell apart Sep 18, 2026
- 2920 Legends Drive, SouthportUnder contract again · $849,000 · fell apart Jul 27, 2026
- 3931 Members Club Boulevard, SouthportUnder contract again · $755,000 · fell apart Jul 3, 2026
Sold after a deal fell apart
It closed — on a later contract.
- 3826 Grand Willow Circle, SouthportSold · $840,000 · fell apart Jun 29, 2026
- 3073 Beachcomber Drive, SouthportSold · $795,000 · fell apart May 17, 2026
- 4496 Lenox Court SE, SouthportSold · $665,000 · fell apart May 6, 2026
- 2585 Parkridge Drive, SouthportSold · $850,000 · fell apart Apr 30, 2026
- 2850 Ellington Place, SouthportSold · $855,000 · fell apart Mar 30, 2026
- 2686 Four Oak Road, SouthportSold · $799,000 · fell apart Feb 25, 2026
- 3675 W Medinah Avenue, SouthportSold · $699,000 · fell apart Jan 5, 2026
- 2790 Creek Bridge Court, SouthportSold · $568,000 · fell apart Nov 2, 2025
- 4268 Loblolly Circle SE, SouthportSold · $799,900 · fell apart Oct 27, 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 St James (Southport)?
18 of about 80 contracts for homes listed $750K–$1M in St James (Southport) fell apart over the last 12 months — about 1 in 4.
What does a failed contract cost a seller in St James (Southport)?
About $47,900 on a typical $820,000 home — 88 extra days of holding costs (about $181 a day with a mortgage) plus a 3.9-point lower sale price. With no mortgage it's about $36,400.
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.