Estimated cost of a dead deal
$41,600
on a typical $770,000 home with a mortgage · $30,600 if it's paid off
- Contracts that fell apart
- 19% about 1 in 5 · 15 of 81
- Extra days on the market
- 90 137 vs. 47 on the first contract
- Lower sale price
- 3.4 pts 92.4% vs. 95.8% of first asking
- Never sold at all
- 10% of the homes whose deal died
When a deal dies on a home 10–19 years old in St James (Southport), it costs the seller about $41,600
15 of about 81 contracts for homes 10–19 years old in St James (Southport) fell apart over the last 12 months — about 1 in 5. The ones that sold later took 90 more days and sold for 3.4 points less of their first asking price than homes that closed on the first contract. And 10% of the homes whose deal died never sold at all.
- Holding costs run about $172 a day on a typical $770,000 home — 90 extra days is about $15,460.
- The price scar alone is about $26,200 on a $770,000 home.
- 60% came back on the market at a lower price (a median 5.8% 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.
$41,600
90 extra days at about $172 a day = $15,459 in holding costs, plus $26,180 from a 3.4-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 60% — after 137 days in all, for 92.4% of the first price
- Still trying 33% — back on the market or under contract again
- Never sold 7% — expired, canceled or withdrawn
Homes that sold on their first contract took 47 days and sold for 95.8% of their first price. 60% 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 | 133 | 26% | 131 | 7.1 pts | $74,700 |
| No crawl space | 154 | 18% | 93 | 4.7 pts | $43,700 |
By first asking price
Homes behind the numbers
Back on the market
Their contract fell apart; they're for sale again.
- 2792 Golfmaster Court SE, SouthportBack on the market · $669,500 · fell apart Jun 24, 2026
Under contract again
Second try under way.
- 3185 Wexford Way, SouthportUnder contract again · $539,000 · fell apart Aug 12, 2026
- 4510 Fieldstone Circle, SouthportUnder contract again · $1,085,000 · fell apart Mar 25, 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
- 4496 Lenox Court SE, SouthportSold · $665,000 · fell apart May 6, 2026
- 3288 Beach Cove Lane, SouthportSold · $530,000 · fell apart May 1, 2026
- 2585 Parkridge Drive, SouthportSold · $850,000 · fell apart Apr 30, 2026
- 2850 Ellington Place, SouthportSold · $855,000 · fell apart Mar 30, 2026
- 3215 Bay Winds Drive, SouthportSold · $540,000 · fell apart Jan 12, 2026
- 2744 Long Bay Drive SE, SouthportSold · $1,150,000 · fell apart Jan 11, 2026
- 3244 Inland Cove Drive, SouthportSold · $625,000 · fell apart Dec 30, 2025
- 4255 Ashfield Place, SouthportSold · $615,500 · fell apart Oct 12, 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)?
15 of about 81 contracts for homes 10–19 years old in St James (Southport) fell apart over the last 12 months — about 1 in 5.
What does a failed contract cost a seller in St James (Southport)?
About $41,600 on a typical $770,000 home — 90 extra days of holding costs (about $172 a day with a mortgage) plus a 3.4-point lower sale price. With no mortgage it's about $30,600.
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.