Estimated cost of a dead deal
$69,000
on a typical $625,000 home with a mortgage · $62,700 if it's paid off
- Contracts that fell apart
- 16% about 1 in 6 · 10 of 61
- Extra days on the market
- 63 87 vs. 24 on the first contract
- Lower sale price
- 9.6 pts 88.0% vs. 97.6% of first asking
- Never sold at all
- 22% of the homes whose deal died
When a deal died in ZIP 28465 in March 2026, it cost the seller about $69,000
10 of about 61 contracts for resale homes in ZIP 28465 fell apart in March 2026 — about 1 in 6. The ones that sold later took 63 more days and sold for 9.6 points less of their first asking price than homes that closed on the first contract. And 22% of the homes whose deal died never sold at all. That's down 2.4 points from March 2025.
- Holding costs run about $143 a day on a typical $625,000 home — 63 extra days is about $9,010.
- The price scar alone is about $60,000 on a $625,000 home.
- 50% came back on the market at a lower price (a median 4.0% 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.
$69,000
63 extra days at about $143 a day = $9,013 in holding costs, plus $60,000 from a 9.6-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 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| March 2026 | 16% | 10 | 61 | $69,000 |
| Month before | 19% | 6 | 31 | — |
| Same month last year | 19% | 9 | 48 | $19,800 |
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 70% — after 87 days in all, for 88.0% of the first price
- Still trying 10% — back on the market or under contract again
- Never sold 20% — expired, canceled or withdrawn
Homes that sold on their first contract took 24 days and sold for 97.6% of their first price. 50% 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 | 21 | 19% | — | — | — |
| 50+ yrs | 13 | 15% | — | — | — |
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 | 18 | 17% | — | — | — |
| No crawl space | 41 | 17% | 33 | 3.9 pts | $36,700 |
By first asking price
| Contracts | Fell apart | Extra days | Price scar | Est. cost | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $500–750K | 20 | 25% | — | — | — |
| $750K–1M | 13 | 8% | — | — | — |
| $1M+ | 12 | 25% | — | — | — |
Homes behind the numbers
Under contract again
Second try under way.
- 148 NW 3rd Street Units A & B, Oak IslandUnder contract again · $450,000 · fell apart Mar 16, 2026
Sold after a deal fell apart
It closed — on a later contract.
- 233 NE 75th Street, Oak IslandSold · $375,000 · fell apart Mar 31, 2026
- 3208 E Pelican Drive, Oak IslandSold · $880,000 · fell apart Mar 30, 2026
- 7403 E Beach Drive, Oak IslandSold · $1,600,000 · fell apart Mar 28, 2026
- 104 NE 34th Street, Oak IslandSold · $462,500 · fell apart Mar 26, 2026
- 1919 E Beach Drive, Oak IslandSold · $1,100,000 · fell apart Mar 25, 2026
- 3325 W Beach Drive, Oak IslandSold · $980,000 · fell apart Mar 19, 2026
- 316 Crowell Street, Oak IslandSold · $550,000 · fell apart Mar 12, 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 28465?
10 of about 61 contracts for resale homes in ZIP 28465 fell apart in March 2026 — about 1 in 6.
What does a failed contract cost a seller in ZIP 28465?
About $69,000 on a typical $625,000 home — 63 extra days of holding costs (about $143 a day with a mortgage) plus a 9.6-point lower sale price. With no mortgage it's about $62,700.
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 March 2026 only.