Estimated cost of a dead deal
$58,300
on a typical $360,000 home with a mortgage · $51,300 if it's paid off
- Contracts that fell apart
- 27% about 1 in 4 · 12 of 44
- Extra days on the market
- 122 170 vs. 48 on the first contract
- Lower sale price
- 13.2 pts 83.8% vs. 97.0% of first asking
- Never sold at all
- 44% of the homes whose deal died
When a deal died in ZIP 28401 in May 2026, it cost the seller about $58,300
12 of about 44 contracts for resale homes in ZIP 28401 fell apart in May 2026 — about 1 in 4. The ones that sold later took 122 more days and sold for 13.2 points less of their first asking price than homes that closed on the first contract. And 44% of the homes whose deal died never sold at all. That's up 15.7 points from May 2025.
- Holding costs run about $89 a day on a typical $360,000 home — 122 extra days is about $10,820.
- The price scar alone is about $47,500 on a $360,000 home.
- 67% came back on the market at a lower price (a median 8.3% 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.
$58,300
122 extra days at about $89 a day = $10,816 in holding costs, plus $47,520 from a 13.2-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.
Compared with other months
| Fell apart | Deals lost | Contracts | Est. cost | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 2026 | 27% | 12 | 44 | $58,300 |
| Month before | 20% | 6 | 30 | $7,300 |
| Same month last year | 12% | 5 | 43 | — |
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 42% — after 170 days in all, for 83.8% of the first price
- Still trying 25% — back on the market or under contract again
- Never sold 33% — expired, canceled or withdrawn
Homes that sold on their first contract took 48 days and sold for 97.0% of their first price. 67% 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 | 25 | 24% | — | — | — |
| No crawl space | 14 | 29% | — | — | — |
By first asking price
| Contracts | Fell apart | Extra days | Price scar | Est. cost | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Under $300K | 10 | 40% | — | — | — |
| $300–400K | 19 | 11% | — | — | — |
Homes behind the numbers
Sold after a deal fell apart
It closed — on a later contract.
- 509 Walnut Street, WilmingtonSold · $295,000 · fell apart May 23, 2026
- 21 N Front Street Unit 2a1, WilmingtonSold · $215,000 · fell apart May 15, 2026
- 240 N Water Street 1154, WilmingtonSold · $790,000 · fell apart May 14, 2026
- 721 Campbell Street, WilmingtonSold · $292,500 · fell apart May 11, 2026
- 20 S Front Street Unit R1, WilmingtonSold · $400,000 · fell apart May 1, 2026
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 ZIP 28401?
12 of about 44 contracts for resale homes in ZIP 28401 fell apart in May 2026 — about 1 in 4.
What does a failed contract cost a seller in ZIP 28401?
About $58,300 on a typical $360,000 home — 122 extra days of holding costs (about $89 a day with a mortgage) plus a 13.2-point lower sale price. With no mortgage it's about $51,300.
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 May 2026 only.