Estimated cost of a dead deal
—
on a typical $412,000 home with a mortgage · — if it's paid off
- Contracts that fell apart
- 31% about 1 in 3 · 15 of 49
- Extra days on the market
- — — vs. 43 on the first contract
- Lower sale price
- — — vs. 95.8% of first asking
- Never sold at all
- 50% of the homes whose deal died
31% of contracts for homes in ZIP 28460 fell apart
15 of about 49 contracts for resale homes in ZIP 28460 fell apart in September 2026 — about 1 in 3. And 50% of the homes whose deal died never sold at all. That's up 6.0 points from September 2025.
- 27% came back on the market at a lower price (a median 11.9% 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 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| September 2026 | 31% | 15 | 49 | — |
| Month before | 20% | 11 | 55 | — |
| Same month last year | 25% | 16 | 65 | $20,500 |
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 7% — after — days in all, for — of the first price
- Still trying 87% — back on the market or under contract again
- Never sold 7% — expired, canceled or withdrawn
Homes that sold on their first contract took 43 days and sold for 95.8% 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 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Under 10 yrs | 14 | 0% | — | — | — |
| 30–49 yrs | 19 | 32% | — | — | — |
By first asking price
| Contracts | Fell apart | Extra days | Price scar | Est. cost | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $300–400K | 14 | 21% | — | — | — |
| $400–500K | 11 | 27% | — | — | — |
| $500–750K | 12 | 17% | — | — | — |
Homes behind the numbers
Back on the market
Their contract fell apart; they're for sale again.
- 1611 New River Inlet Road, North Topsail BeachBack on the market · $1,150,000 · fell apart Sep 28, 2026
- 228 Fulcher Landing Road, Sneads FerryBack on the market · $237,500 · fell apart Sep 26, 2026
- 1078 New River Inlet Road, North Topsail BeachBack on the market · $1,299,000 · fell apart Sep 24, 2026
- 1896 New River Inlet Road 1309, North Topsail BeachBack on the market · $415,000 · fell apart Sep 23, 2026
- 173 Sea Gull Lane, North Topsail BeachBack on the market · $399,000 · fell apart Sep 18, 2026
- 1324 New River Inlet Road, North Topsail BeachBack on the market · $999,500 · fell apart Sep 15, 2026
- 102 Seabird Lane, Sneads FerryBack on the market · $250,000 · fell apart Sep 14, 2026
- 1896 New River Inlet Road 1203, North Topsail BeachBack on the market · $320,000 · fell apart Sep 8, 2026
- 2333 New River Inlet Road, North Topsail BeachBack on the market · $860,000 · fell apart Sep 3, 2026
- 2000 New River Inlet Road Unit 2109, North Topsail BeachBack on the market · $389,000 · fell apart Sep 3, 2026
- 39 Porpoise Place, North Topsail BeachBack on the market · $2,295,000 · fell apart Sep 1, 2026
Under contract again
Second try under way.
- 147 Snow Goose Lane, Sneads FerryUnder contract again · $540,000 · fell apart Sep 8, 2026
- 1413 New River Inlet Road, North Topsail BeachUnder contract again · $510,000 · fell apart Sep 4, 2026
Sold after a deal fell apart
It closed — on a later contract.
- 1896 New River Inlet 1412, North Topsail BeachSold · $416,000 · fell apart Sep 2, 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?
15 of about 49 contracts for resale homes in ZIP 28460 fell apart in September 2026 — about 1 in 3.
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 September 2026 only.