Estimated cost of a dead deal
—
on a typical $392,500 home with a mortgage · — if it's paid off
- Contracts that fell apart
- 20% about 1 in 5 · 11 of 55
- Extra days on the market
- — — vs. 28 on the first contract
- Lower sale price
- — — vs. 97.5% of first asking
- Never sold at all
- 33% of the homes whose deal died
20% of contracts for homes in ZIP 28460 fell apart
11 of about 55 contracts for resale homes in ZIP 28460 fell apart in August 2026 — about 1 in 5. And 33% of the homes whose deal died never sold at all. That's down 1.4 points from August 2025.
- 46% came back on the market at a lower price (a median 6.1% 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.
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 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| August 2026 | 20% | 11 | 55 | — |
| Month before | 24% | 14 | 58 | — |
| Same month last year | 21% | 12 | 56 | $600 |
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 18% — after — days in all, for — of the first price
- Still trying 73% — back on the market or under contract again
- Never sold 9% — expired, canceled or withdrawn
Homes that sold on their first contract took 28 days and sold for 97.5% of their first price. 46% 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 | 16 | 13% | — | — | — |
| 10–19 yrs | 15 | 13% | — | — | — |
| 20–29 yrs | 13 | 31% | — | — | — |
| 30–49 yrs | 10 | 30% | — | — | — |
By first asking price
| Contracts | Fell apart | Extra days | Price scar | Est. cost | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $300–400K | 20 | 20% | — | — | — |
| $400–500K | 13 | 23% | — | — | — |
Homes behind the numbers
Back on the market
Their contract fell apart; they're for sale again.
- 42 Sailview Drive, North Topsail BeachBack on the market · $1,249,000 · fell apart Aug 24, 2026
- 388 New River Inlet Road, North Topsail BeachBack on the market · $1,650,000 · fell apart Aug 20, 2026
- 527 Everett Glades, Sneads FerryBack on the market · $343,000 · fell apart Aug 20, 2026
- 123 Lawndale Lane, Sneads FerryBack on the market · $299,000 · fell apart Aug 18, 2026
- 1896 New River Inlet Road Unit 1104, North Topsail BeachBack on the market · $348,000 · fell apart Aug 13, 2026
- 1511 New River Inlet Road, North Topsail BeachBack on the market · $3,300,000 · fell apart Aug 12, 2026
- 1042 New River Inlet Road, North Topsail BeachBack on the market · $1,900,000 · fell apart Aug 3, 2026
Under contract again
Second try under way.
- 415 Canvasback Lane, Sneads FerryUnder contract again · $449,900 · fell apart Aug 21, 2026
Sold after a deal fell apart
It closed — on a later contract.
- 210 Marsh Haven Drive, Sneads FerrySold · $330,000 · fell apart Aug 18, 2026
- 1107 Mill Run Road, Sneads FerrySold · $295,000 · fell apart Aug 4, 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 28460?
11 of about 55 contracts for resale homes in ZIP 28460 fell apart in August 2026 — about 1 in 5.
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 August 2026 only.