Estimated cost of a dead deal
$76,400
on a typical $641,500 home with a mortgage · $52,000 if it's paid off
- Contracts that fell apart
- 35% about 1 in 3 · 15 of 43
- Extra days on the market
- 239 308 vs. 69 on the first contract
- Lower sale price
- 6.5 pts 87.7% vs. 94.2% of first asking
- Never sold at all
- 22% of the homes whose deal died
When a deal dies on a home 50+ years old in ZIP 28445, it costs the seller about $76,400
15 of about 43 contracts for homes 50+ years old in ZIP 28445 fell apart over the last 12 months — about 1 in 3. The ones that sold later took 239 more days and sold for 6.5 points less of their first asking price than homes that closed on the first contract. And 22% of the homes whose deal died never sold at all.
- Holding costs run about $145 a day on a typical $641,500 home — 239 extra days is about $34,740.
- The price scar alone is about $41,700 on a $641,500 home.
- 33% came back on the market at a lower price (a median 4.8% 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.
$76,400
239 extra days at about $145 a day = $34,742 in holding costs, plus $41,698 from a 6.5-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 47% — after 308 days in all, for 87.7% of the first price
- Still trying 40% — back on the market or under contract again
- Never sold 13% — expired, canceled or withdrawn
Homes that sold on their first contract took 69 days and sold for 94.2% of their first price. 33% 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 | 36 | 25% | — | — | — |
| No crawl space | 434 | 14% | 82 | 3.6 pts | $26,900 |
By first asking price
Homes behind the numbers
Back on the market
Their contract fell apart; they're for sale again.
- 1008 Ocean Boulevard, Topsail BeachBack on the market · $1,115,000 · fell apart Sep 1, 2026
- 324 Cypress Avenue, Holly RidgeBack on the market · $237,900 · fell apart Jul 30, 2026
- 712 Channel Boulevard, Topsail BeachBack on the market · $1,385,000 · fell apart Jul 28, 2026
Under contract again
Second try under way.
- 105 High Point Avenue A & B, Surf CityUnder contract again · $849,000 · fell apart Jun 28, 2026
Sold after a deal fell apart
It closed — on a later contract.
- 1040 Ocean Boulevard, Topsail BeachSold · $1,050,000 · fell apart Sep 14, 2026
- 460 N Anderson Boulevard, Topsail BeachSold · $1,700,000 · fell apart Jul 25, 2026
- 203 Empie Avenue, Topsail BeachSold · $615,000 · fell apart May 24, 2026
- 1909 S Shore Drive, Surf CitySold · $760,000 · fell apart Jan 24, 2026
- 461 Old Folkstone Road, Holly RidgeSold · $168,000 · fell apart Jan 11, 2026
- 767 E Ocean Road, Holly RidgeSold · $284,000 · fell apart Dec 17, 2025
- 1625 S Shore Drive, Surf CitySold · $728,800 · fell apart Dec 4, 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 28445?
15 of about 43 contracts for homes 50+ years old in ZIP 28445 fell apart over the last 12 months — about 1 in 3.
What does a failed contract cost a seller in ZIP 28445?
About $76,400 on a typical $641,500 home — 239 extra days of holding costs (about $145 a day with a mortgage) plus a 6.5-point lower sale price. With no mortgage it's about $52,000.
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.