Estimated cost of a dead deal
$12,300
on a typical $390,000 home with a mortgage · $8,900 if it's paid off
- Contracts that fell apart
- 26% about 1 in 4 · 11 of 43
- Extra days on the market
- 55 119 vs. 64 on the first contract
- Lower sale price
- 1.8 pts 92.4% vs. 94.2% of first asking
- Never sold at all
- 11% of the homes whose deal died
When a deal died in ZIP 28460 in December 2025, it cost the seller about $12,300
11 of about 43 contracts for resale homes in ZIP 28460 fell apart in December 2025 — about 1 in 4. The ones that sold later took 55 more days and sold for 1.8 points less of their first asking price than homes that closed on the first contract. And 11% of the homes whose deal died never sold at all. That's up 17.5 points from December 2024.
- Holding costs run about $96 a day on a typical $390,000 home — 55 extra days is about $5,290.
- The price scar alone is about $7,000 on a $390,000 home.
- 27% came back on the market at a lower price (a median 5.5% 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
55 extra days at about $96 a day = $5,287 in holding costs, plus $7,020 from a 1.8-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 $21/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.
Compared with other months
| Fell apart | Deals lost | Contracts | Est. cost | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| December 2025 | 26% | 11 | 43 | $12,300 |
| Month before | 31% | 16 | 52 | $19,300 |
| Same month last year | 8% | 3 | 37 | — |
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 73% — after 119 days in all, for 92.4% of the first price
- Still trying 18% — back on the market or under contract again
- Never sold 9% — expired, canceled or withdrawn
Homes that sold on their first contract took 64 days and sold for 94.2% of their first price. 27% 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 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10–19 yrs | 14 | 21% | — | — | — |
| 30–49 yrs | 11 | 27% | — | — | — |
Homes behind the numbers
Back on the market
Their contract fell apart; they're for sale again.
- 304 Marina Way, North Topsail BeachBack on the market · $1,299,999 · fell apart Dec 1, 2025
Sold after a deal fell apart
It closed — on a later contract.
- 706 Daniel Lindsey Court, Sneads FerrySold · $410,000 · fell apart Dec 30, 2025
- 119 Lawndale Lane, Sneads FerrySold · $250,000 · fell apart Dec 26, 2025
- 4340 Island Drive, North Topsail BeachSold · $1,315,000 · fell apart Dec 21, 2025
- 931 Needlerush Road, Sneads FerrySold · $519,000 · fell apart Dec 9, 2025
- 248 Breakwater Drive, Sneads FerrySold · $325,000 · fell apart Dec 4, 2025
- 790 New River Inlet Road Unit 301b, North Topsail BeachSold · $420,000 · fell apart Dec 2, 2025
- 157 Bridgeport Drive, Sneads FerrySold · $370,000 · fell apart Dec 1, 2025
- 1840 New River Inlet Road 2310, North Topsail BeachSold · $265,000 · fell apart Dec 1, 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 28460?
11 of about 43 contracts for resale homes in ZIP 28460 fell apart in December 2025 — about 1 in 4.
What does a failed contract cost a seller in ZIP 28460?
About $12,300 on a typical $390,000 home — 55 extra days of holding costs (about $96 a day with a mortgage) plus a 1.8-point lower sale price. With no mortgage it's about $8,900.
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 December 2025 only.