Estimated cost of a dead deal
$32,900
on a typical $336,250 home with a mortgage · $26,200 if it's paid off
- Contracts that fell apart
- 21% about 1 in 5 · 12 of 56
- Extra days on the market
- 124 190 vs. 66 on the first contract
- Lower sale price
- 6.7 pts 89.2% vs. 95.9% of first asking
- Never sold at all
- 30% of the homes whose deal died
When a deal dies on a home under 10 years old in Supply, it costs the seller about $32,900
12 of about 56 contracts for homes under 10 years old in Supply fell apart over the last 12 months — about 1 in 5. The ones that sold later took 124 more days and sold for 6.7 points less of their first asking price than homes that closed on the first contract. And 30% of the homes whose deal died never sold at all.
- Holding costs run about $83 a day on a typical $336,250 home — 124 extra days is about $10,330.
- The price scar alone is about $22,500 on a $336,250 home.
- 50% came back on the market at a lower price (a median 8.2% 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.
$32,900
124 extra days at about $83 a day = $10,334 in holding costs, plus $22,529 from a 6.7-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 $25/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 58% — after 190 days in all, for 89.2% of the first price
- Still trying 17% — back on the market or under contract again
- Never sold 25% — expired, canceled or withdrawn
Homes that sold on their first contract took 66 days and sold for 95.9% of their first price. 50% 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 | 177 | 30% | 74 | 5.3 pts | $16,700 |
| No crawl space | 64 | 13% | — | — | — |
By first asking price
| Contracts | Fell apart | Extra days | Price scar | Est. cost | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Under $300K | 184 | 27% | 92 | 6.1 pts | $16,000 |
| $300–400K | 37 | 24% | — | — | — |
| $400–500K | 27 | 22% | — | — | — |
| $500–750K | 31 | 23% | — | — | — |
| $750K–1M | 14 | 29% | — | — | — |
| $1M+ | 12 | 17% | — | — | — |
Homes behind the numbers
Sold after a deal fell apart
It closed — on a later contract.
- 1879 Stanley Road SW, SupplySold · $295,000 · fell apart Jul 25, 2026
- 3664 Lakeview Drive SW, SupplySold · $161,500 · fell apart Jun 7, 2026
- 2356 W Tanglewood Drive SW, SupplySold · $243,000 · fell apart May 21, 2026
- 3364 Stone Crab Court SW, SupplySold · $850,000 · fell apart Apr 21, 2026
- 2550 White Sands Drive SW, SupplySold · $236,000 · fell apart Apr 19, 2026
- 2255 W Tanglewood Drive SW, SupplySold · $255,000 · fell apart Jan 7, 2026
- 49 Patrick Henry Circle NW, SupplySold · $285,000 · fell apart Oct 17, 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 Supply?
12 of about 56 contracts for homes under 10 years old in Supply fell apart over the last 12 months — about 1 in 5.
What does a failed contract cost a seller in Supply?
About $32,900 on a typical $336,250 home — 124 extra days of holding costs (about $83 a day with a mortgage) plus a 6.7-point lower sale price. With no mortgage it's about $26,200.
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.