Estimated cost of a dead deal
$47,700
on a typical $415,000 home with a mortgage · $40,800 if it's paid off
- Contracts that fell apart
- 23% about 1 in 4 · 13 of 56
- Extra days on the market
- 104 189 vs. 85 on the first contract
- Lower sale price
- 8.9 pts 85.8% vs. 94.7% of first asking
- Never sold at all
- 18% of the homes whose deal died
When a deal died in ZIP 28461 in February 2026, it cost the seller about $47,700
13 of about 56 contracts for resale homes in ZIP 28461 fell apart in February 2026 — about 1 in 4. The ones that sold later took 104 more days and sold for 8.9 points less of their first asking price than homes that closed on the first contract. And 18% of the homes whose deal died never sold at all. That's down 1.8 points from February 2025.
- Holding costs run about $103 a day on a typical $415,000 home — 104 extra days is about $10,720.
- The price scar alone is about $36,900 on a $415,000 home.
- 39% came back on the market at a lower price (a median 5.3% 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.
$47,700
104 extra days at about $103 a day = $10,725 in holding costs, plus $36,935 from a 8.9-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 $97/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 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| February 2026 | 23% | 13 | 56 | $47,700 |
| Month before | 34% | 22 | 64 | $65,500 |
| Same month last year | 25% | 10 | 40 | $47,900 |
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 69% — after 189 days in all, for 85.8% of the first price
- Still trying 15% — back on the market or under contract again
- Never sold 15% — expired, canceled or withdrawn
Homes that sold on their first contract took 85 days and sold for 94.7% of their first price. 39% 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 | 6% | — | — | — |
| 10–19 yrs | 10 | 40% | — | — | — |
| 20–29 yrs | 24 | 29% | 90 | 4.7 pts | $26,400 |
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 | 26 | 31% | 107 | 5.3 pts | $36,300 |
| No crawl space | 26 | 15% | — | — | — |
By first asking price
| Contracts | Fell apart | Extra days | Price scar | Est. cost | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $300–400K | 10 | 20% | — | — | — |
| $500–750K | 16 | 13% | — | — | — |
| $750K–1M | 11 | 36% | — | — | — |
Homes behind the numbers
Back on the market
Their contract fell apart; they're for sale again.
- 3030 Marsh Winds Circle Unit 205, SouthportBack on the market · $244,000 · fell apart Feb 19, 2026
Sold after a deal fell apart
It closed — on a later contract.
- 4366 Nandina Drive SE, SouthportSold · $512,500 · fell apart Feb 26, 2026
- 2686 Four Oak Road, SouthportSold · $799,000 · fell apart Feb 25, 2026
- 4998 N Hampton Drive SE, SouthportSold · $319,000 · fell apart Feb 24, 2026
- 4975 N Hampton Drive SE, SouthportSold · $230,000 · fell apart Feb 24, 2026
- 1134 N Shore Drive, SouthportSold · $765,668 · fell apart Feb 23, 2026
- 6505 Walden Pond Lane, SouthportSold · $699,900 · fell apart Feb 21, 2026
- 570 Virginia Road, SouthportSold · $612,500 · fell apart Feb 19, 2026
- 4391 Frying Pan Road SE, SouthportSold · $448,000 · fell apart Feb 5, 2026
- 2760 Marsh Point Lane SE, SouthportSold · $2,000,000 · fell apart Feb 1, 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 28461?
13 of about 56 contracts for resale homes in ZIP 28461 fell apart in February 2026 — about 1 in 4.
What does a failed contract cost a seller in ZIP 28461?
About $47,700 on a typical $415,000 home — 104 extra days of holding costs (about $103 a day with a mortgage) plus a 8.9-point lower sale price. With no mortgage it's about $40,800.
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 February 2026 only.