Estimated cost of a dead deal
$13,600
on a typical $557,000 home with a mortgage · $8,800 if it's paid off
- Contracts that fell apart
- 18% about 1 in 6 · 11 of 61
- Extra days on the market
- 54 80 vs. 26 on the first contract
- Lower sale price
- 1.2 pts 95.1% vs. 96.3% of first asking
- Never sold at all
- 46% of the homes whose deal died
When a deal dies on a home listed $500K–$750K in ZIP 28401, it costs the seller about $13,600
11 of about 61 contracts for homes listed $500K–$750K in ZIP 28401 fell apart over the last 12 months — about 1 in 6. The ones that sold later took 54 more days and sold for 1.2 points less of their first asking price than homes that closed on the first contract. And 46% of the homes whose deal died never sold at all.
- Holding costs run about $128 a day on a typical $557,000 home — 54 extra days is about $6,890.
- The price scar alone is about $6,700 on a $557,000 home.
- 36% came back on the market at a lower price (a median 13.4% 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.
$13,600
54 extra days at about $128 a day = $6,895 in holding costs, plus $6,684 from a 1.2-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.
What happened next
- Sold later 55% — after 80 days in all, for 95.1% of the first price
- Still trying 0% — back on the market or under contract again
- Never sold 45% — expired, canceled or withdrawn
Homes that sold on their first contract took 26 days and sold for 96.3% of their first price. 36% 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 | 79 | 18% | 37 | 4.5 pts | $23,500 |
| 10–19 yrs | 12 | 8% | — | — | — |
| 20–29 yrs | 49 | 27% | 25 | 2.2 pts | $9,100 |
| 30–49 yrs | 26 | 23% | — | — | — |
| 50+ yrs | 250 | 27% | 71 | 7.3 pts | $32,200 |
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 | 249 | 24% | 68 | 3.7 pts | $18,800 |
| No crawl space | 135 | 26% | 63 | 5.0 pts | $25,400 |
Homes behind the numbers
Sold after a deal fell apart
It closed — on a later contract.
- 505 S 5th Avenue, WilmingtonSold · $630,000 · fell apart Jun 11, 2026
- 240 N Water Street Apt 854, WilmingtonSold · $677,500 · fell apart Jun 3, 2026
- 207 N 13th Street, WilmingtonSold · $550,000 · fell apart Feb 1, 2026
- 103 N 13th Street, WilmingtonSold · $540,000 · fell apart Nov 4, 2025
- 108 S 9th Street, WilmingtonSold · $515,000 · fell apart Oct 30, 2025
- 416 S 5th Avenue, WilmingtonSold · $615,000 · fell apart Oct 15, 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 ZIP 28401?
11 of about 61 contracts for homes listed $500K–$750K in ZIP 28401 fell apart over the last 12 months — about 1 in 6.
What does a failed contract cost a seller in ZIP 28401?
About $13,600 on a typical $557,000 home — 54 extra days of holding costs (about $128 a day with a mortgage) plus a 1.2-point lower sale price. With no mortgage it's about $8,800.
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.