Estimated cost of a dead deal
$41,000
on a typical $765,000 home with a mortgage · $26,500 if it's paid off
- Contracts that fell apart
- 11% about 1 in 9 · 16 of 143
- Extra days on the market
- 119 161 vs. 42 on the first contract
- Lower sale price
- 2.7 pts 94.3% vs. 97.0% of first asking
- Never sold at all
- 30% of the homes whose deal died
When a deal dies on a home under 10 years old in ZIP 28465, it costs the seller about $41,000
16 of about 143 contracts for homes under 10 years old in ZIP 28465 fell apart over the last 12 months — about 1 in 9. The ones that sold later took 119 more days and sold for 2.7 points less of their first asking price than homes that closed on the first contract. And 30% of the homes whose deal died never sold at all.
- Holding costs run about $171 a day on a typical $765,000 home — 119 extra days is about $20,350.
- The price scar alone is about $20,700 on a $765,000 home.
- 25% came back on the market at a lower price (a median 8.3% 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.
$41,000
119 extra days at about $171 a day = $20,349 in holding costs, plus $20,655 from a 2.7-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.
What happened next
- Sold later 44% — after 161 days in all, for 94.3% of the first price
- Still trying 38% — back on the market or under contract again
- Never sold 19% — expired, canceled or withdrawn
Homes that sold on their first contract took 42 days and sold for 97.0% of their first price. 25% 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 | 142 | 20% | 89 | 5.6 pts | $37,400 |
| No crawl space | 439 | 15% | 36 | 1.9 pts | $19,300 |
By first asking price
Homes behind the numbers
Back on the market
Their contract fell apart; they're for sale again.
- 119 NE 27th Street, Oak IslandBack on the market · $615,000 · fell apart Sep 29, 2026
- 105 NW 29th Street, Oak IslandBack on the market · $639,900 · fell apart Sep 25, 2026
- 314 NE 61st Street, Oak IslandBack on the market · $939,000 · fell apart Sep 25, 2026
- 2617 E Beach Drive, Oak IslandBack on the market · $2,290,000 · fell apart Jul 31, 2026
Under contract again
Second try under way.
- 3003 W Oak Island Drive, Oak IslandUnder contract again · $645,000 · fell apart Jul 8, 2026
Sold after a deal fell apart
It closed — on a later contract.
- 2605 E Beach Drive, Oak IslandSold · $2,915,000 · fell apart Jul 16, 2026
- 113 NE 54th Street, Oak IslandSold · $685,000 · fell apart Apr 23, 2026
- 113 SW 22nd Street, Oak IslandSold · $999,900 · fell apart Dec 14, 2025
- 138 NE 74th Street, Oak IslandSold · $486,000 · fell apart Dec 4, 2025
- 148 NE 12th Street, Oak IslandSold · $554,000 · fell apart Nov 30, 2025
- 3228 E Dolphin Drive, Oak IslandSold · $1,610,000 · fell apart Nov 2, 2025
- 217 Sellers Street, Oak IslandSold · $832,000 · fell apart Oct 7, 2025
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?
16 of about 143 contracts for homes under 10 years old in ZIP 28465 fell apart over the last 12 months — about 1 in 9.
What does a failed contract cost a seller in ZIP 28465?
About $41,000 on a typical $765,000 home — 119 extra days of holding costs (about $171 a day with a mortgage) plus a 2.7-point lower sale price. With no mortgage it's about $26,500.
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.