Estimated cost of a dead deal
$39,100
on a typical $1,287,500 home with a mortgage · $22,500 if it's paid off
- Contracts that fell apart
- 17% about 1 in 6 · 15 of 90
- Extra days on the market
- 81 123 vs. 42 on the first contract
- Lower sale price
- 1.3 pts 93.2% vs. 94.5% of first asking
- Never sold at all
- 9% of the homes whose deal died
When a deal dies on a home listed $1M and up in ZIP 28409, it costs the seller about $39,100
15 of about 90 contracts for homes listed $1M and up in ZIP 28409 fell apart over the last 12 months — about 1 in 6. The ones that sold later took 81 more days and sold for 1.3 points less of their first asking price than homes that closed on the first contract. And 9% of the homes whose deal died never sold at all.
- Holding costs run about $276 a day on a typical $1,287,500 home — 81 extra days is about $22,390.
- The price scar alone is about $16,700 on a $1,287,500 home.
- 33% came back on the market at a lower price (a median 13.3% 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.
$39,100
81 extra days at about $276 a day = $22,390 in holding costs, plus $16,738 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, HOA $158/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 67% — after 123 days in all, for 93.2% of the first price
- Still trying 27% — back on the market or under contract again
- Never sold 7% — expired, canceled or withdrawn
Homes that sold on their first contract took 42 days and sold for 94.5% of their first price. 33% of the homes that came back on the market cut their price.
By age of the home
Older homes give inspectors more to find.
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 | 302 | 14% | 60 | 4.4 pts | $31,500 |
| No crawl space | 338 | 14% | 17 | 1.5 pts | $10,000 |
Homes behind the numbers
Back on the market
Their contract fell apart; they're for sale again.
- 248 Windy Hills Drive, WilmingtonBack on the market · $1,950,000 · fell apart Sep 21, 2026
- 1839 Newkirk Road, WilmingtonBack on the market · $2,795,000 · fell apart Sep 7, 2026
- 6212 Turtle Hall Drive, WilmingtonBack on the market · $1,125,000 · fell apart Jul 9, 2026
Sold after a deal fell apart
It closed — on a later contract.
- 5329 Leisure Circle, WilmingtonSold · $1,260,000 · fell apart Aug 13, 2026
- 6433 Shinn Creek Lane, WilmingtonSold · $3,100,000 · fell apart Jul 14, 2026
- 6263 Turtle Hall Drive, WilmingtonSold · $1,395,000 · fell apart Jun 2, 2026
- 222 Sea Gull Lane, WilmingtonSold · $2,125,000 · fell apart May 7, 2026
- 233 Chimney Lane, WilmingtonSold · $1,597,500 · fell apart Mar 31, 2026
- 5010 Dockside Drive, WilmingtonSold · $1,060,000 · fell apart Dec 1, 2025
- 6111 Leeward Lane, WilmingtonSold · $1,225,000 · fell apart Nov 26, 2025
- 227 Gazebo Court, WilmingtonSold · $1,613,700 · fell apart Oct 22, 2025
- 300 Cabbage Inlet Lane, WilmingtonSold · $1,237,500 · fell apart Oct 18, 2025
- 5353 Leisure Circle, WilmingtonSold · $1,250,000 · 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 ZIP 28409?
15 of about 90 contracts for homes listed $1M and up in ZIP 28409 fell apart over the last 12 months — about 1 in 6.
What does a failed contract cost a seller in ZIP 28409?
About $39,100 on a typical $1,287,500 home — 81 extra days of holding costs (about $276 a day with a mortgage) plus a 1.3-point lower sale price. With no mortgage it's about $22,500.
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.