Estimated cost of a dead deal
$35,400
on a typical $522,450 home with a mortgage · $29,900 if it's paid off
- Contracts that fell apart
- 29% about 1 in 3 · 10 of 34
- Extra days on the market
- 65 109 vs. 44 on the first contract
- Lower sale price
- 5.3 pts 88.2% vs. 93.5% of first asking
- Never sold at all
- 10% of the homes whose deal died
When a deal died in ZIP 28462 in January 2026, it cost the seller about $35,400
10 of about 34 contracts for resale homes in ZIP 28462 fell apart in January 2026 — about 1 in 3. The ones that sold later took 65 more days and sold for 5.3 points less of their first asking price than homes that closed on the first contract. And 10% of the homes whose deal died never sold at all. That's up 4.4 points from January 2025.
- Holding costs run about $118 a day on a typical $522,450 home — 65 extra days is about $7,670.
- The price scar alone is about $27,700 on a $522,450 home.
- 50% came back on the market at a lower price (a median 6.9% 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.
What would it cost you?
Put in your own numbers. Leave the loan at 0 if your home is paid off.
$35,400
65 extra days at about $118 a day = $7,668 in holding costs, plus $27,690 from a 5.3-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.
Compared with other months
| Fell apart | Deals lost | Contracts | Est. cost | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January 2026 | 29% | 10 | 34 | $35,400 |
| Month before | 17% | 4 | 23 | — |
| Same month last year | 25% | 7 | 28 | $19,000 |
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 90% — after 109 days in all, for 88.2% of the first price
- Still trying 0% — back on the market or under contract again
- Never sold 10% — expired, canceled or withdrawn
Homes that sold on their first contract took 44 days and sold for 93.5% of their first price. 50% 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 | 17 | 47% | 51 | 10.1 pts | $37,000 |
| No crawl space | 15 | 13% | — | — | — |
Homes behind the numbers
Sold after a deal fell apart
It closed — on a later contract.
- 178 Chestnut Drive SW, SupplySold · $253,000 · fell apart Jan 28, 2026
- 2075 Gum Street SW, SupplySold · $105,000 · fell apart Jan 26, 2026
- 2645 Fairway Drive SW, SupplySold · $150,000 · fell apart Jan 20, 2026
- 2426 Red Snapper Street SW, SupplySold · $135,100 · fell apart Jan 20, 2026
- 1912-1920 Triton Drive SW, SupplySold · $80,000 · fell apart Jan 19, 2026
- 877 Ocean Boulevard W, Holden BeachSold · $1,440,000 · fell apart Jan 19, 2026
- 2255 W Tanglewood Drive SW, SupplySold · $255,000 · fell apart Jan 7, 2026
- 533 Ocean Boulevard W, Holden BeachSold · $1,810,000 · fell apart Jan 4, 2026
- 1759 Stone Chimney Road SW, SupplySold · $259,000 · fell apart Jan 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 28462?
10 of about 34 contracts for resale homes in ZIP 28462 fell apart in January 2026 — about 1 in 3.
What does a failed contract cost a seller in ZIP 28462?
About $35,400 on a typical $522,450 home — 65 extra days of holding costs (about $118 a day with a mortgage) plus a 5.3-point lower sale price. With no mortgage it's about $29,900.
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 January 2026 only.