Estimated cost of a dead deal
$12,300
on a typical $503,750 home with a mortgage · $8,400 if it's paid off
- Contracts that fell apart
- 14% about 1 in 7 · 17 of 126
- Extra days on the market
- 48 83 vs. 35 on the first contract
- Lower sale price
- 1.3 pts 93.7% vs. 95.0% of first asking
- Never sold at all
- 38% of the homes whose deal died
When a deal dies in Tranquil Harbor (Oak Island), it costs the seller about $12,300
17 of about 126 contracts for resale homes in Tranquil Harbor (Oak Island) fell apart over the last 12 months — about 1 in 7. The ones that sold later took 48 more days and sold for 1.3 points less of their first asking price than homes that closed on the first contract. And 38% of the homes whose deal died never sold at all.
- Holding costs run about $119 a day on a typical $503,750 home — 48 extra days is about $5,710.
- The price scar alone is about $6,500 on a $503,750 home.
- 41% came back on the market at a lower price (a median 5.6% 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.
$12,300
48 extra days at about $119 a day = $5,713 in holding costs, plus $6,549 from a 1.3-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.
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 29% — after 83 days in all, for 93.7% of the first price
- Still trying 53% — back on the market or under contract again
- Never sold 18% — expired, canceled or withdrawn
Homes that sold on their first contract took 35 days and sold for 95.0% of their first price. 41% 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 | 29 | 10% | — | — | — |
| 10–19 yrs | 11 | 9% | — | — | — |
| 20–29 yrs | 30 | 10% | — | — | — |
| 30–49 yrs | 36 | 14% | — | — | — |
| 50+ yrs | 20 | 25% | — | — | — |
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 | 47 | 15% | — | — | — |
| No crawl space | 73 | 14% | — | — | — |
By first asking price
| Contracts | Fell apart | Extra days | Price scar | Est. cost | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $300–400K | 12 | 25% | — | — | — |
| $400–500K | 27 | 7% | — | — | — |
| $500–750K | 63 | 13% | — | — | — |
| $750K–1M | 15 | 20% | — | — | — |
Homes behind the numbers
Back on the market
Their contract fell apart; they're for sale again.
- 204 NE 60th Street, Oak IslandBack on the market · $774,900 · fell apart Oct 1, 2026
- 119 NE 27th Street, Oak IslandBack on the market · $615,000 · fell apart Sep 29, 2026
- 314 NE 61st Street, Oak IslandBack on the market · $939,000 · fell apart Sep 25, 2026
- 214 NE 64th Street, Oak IslandBack on the market · $439,000 · fell apart Sep 14, 2026
- 105 SE 17th Street, Oak IslandBack on the market · $649,999 · fell apart Sep 2, 2026
- 104 NE 8th Street, Oak IslandBack on the market · $625,000 · fell apart Jun 22, 2026
Under contract again
Second try under way.
- 217 NE 61st Street, Oak IslandUnder contract again · $539,900 · fell apart Sep 9, 2026
- 148 NW 3rd Street Units A & B, Oak IslandUnder contract again · $450,000 · fell apart Mar 16, 2026
Sold after a deal fell apart
It closed — on a later contract.
- 2304 E Oak Island Drive, Oak IslandSold · $330,000 · fell apart Aug 8, 2026
- 113 NE 54th Street, Oak IslandSold · $685,000 · fell apart Apr 23, 2026
- 220 NE 68th Street, Oak IslandSold · $255,000 · fell apart Apr 3, 2026
- 7908 E Yacht Drive, Oak IslandSold · $475,000 · fell apart Jan 20, 2026
- 115 NE 66th Street, Oak IslandSold · $445,000 · fell apart Nov 22, 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 Tranquil Harbor (Oak Island)?
17 of about 126 contracts for resale homes in Tranquil Harbor (Oak Island) fell apart over the last 12 months — about 1 in 7.
What does a failed contract cost a seller in Tranquil Harbor (Oak Island)?
About $12,300 on a typical $503,750 home — 48 extra days of holding costs (about $119 a day with a mortgage) plus a 1.3-point lower sale price. With no mortgage it's about $8,400.
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. The MLS doesn't record why a contract ended. Source: Hive MLS data compiled by the Buddy Blake Team, updated October 3, 2026.