Estimated cost of a dead deal
$14,400
on a typical $385,000 home with a mortgage · $9,900 if it's paid off
- Contracts that fell apart
- 17% about 1 in 6 · 30 of 172
- Extra days on the market
- 73 139 vs. 66 on the first contract
- Lower sale price
- 1.9 pts 94.3% vs. 96.2% of first asking
- Never sold at all
- 11% of the homes whose deal died
When a deal dies on a home under 10 years old in ZIP 28467, it costs the seller about $14,400
30 of about 172 contracts for homes under 10 years old in ZIP 28467 fell apart over the last 12 months — about 1 in 6. The ones that sold later took 73 more days and sold for 1.9 points less of their first asking price than homes that closed on the first contract. And 11% of the homes whose deal died never sold at all.
- Holding costs run about $96 a day on a typical $385,000 home — 73 extra days is about $7,040.
- The price scar alone is about $7,300 on a $385,000 home.
- 43% came back on the market at a lower price (a median 4.5% 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.
$14,400
73 extra days at about $96 a day = $7,036 in holding costs, plus $7,315 from a 1.9-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 $110/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.
What happened next
- Sold later 57% — after 139 days in all, for 94.3% of the first price
- Still trying 37% — back on the market or under contract again
- Never sold 7% — expired, canceled or withdrawn
Homes that sold on their first contract took 66 days and sold for 96.2% of their first price. 43% 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 | 122 | 31% | 59 | 2.1 pts | $9,500 |
| No crawl space | 422 | 22% | 90 | 4.4 pts | $23,000 |
By first asking price
| Contracts | Fell apart | Extra days | Price scar | Est. cost | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Under $300K | 209 | 27% | 95 | 5.6 pts | $20,300 |
| $300–400K | 201 | 21% | 77 | 2.0 pts | $13,300 |
| $400–500K | 84 | 21% | 25 | 0.0 pts | $2,500 |
| $500–750K | 61 | 20% | 49 | 3.6 pts | $26,600 |
| $750K–1M | 11 | 36% | — | — | — |
Homes behind the numbers
Back on the market
Their contract fell apart; they're for sale again.
- 1932 Coleman Lake Drive, Carolina ShoresBack on the market · $307,900 · fell apart Oct 1, 2026
- 395 S Crow Creek Drive 1624, CalabashBack on the market · $247,000 · fell apart Sep 13, 2026
- 690 Boundary Loop Road NW, CalabashBack on the market · $399,900 · fell apart Sep 11, 2026
- 2085 Manor Parc Drive, CalabashBack on the market · $525,000 · fell apart Aug 27, 2026
- 1933 Coleman Lake Drive, CalabashBack on the market · $299,000 · fell apart Jul 8, 2026
- 146 Freeboard Lane, Carolina ShoresBack on the market · $225,000 · fell apart Jul 7, 2026
Under contract again
Second try under way.
- 1160 Calabash Station Boulevard NW, CalabashUnder contract again · $325,000 · fell apart Sep 7, 2026
- 1023 Meares Street SW, CalabashUnder contract again · $345,000 · fell apart Aug 3, 2026
Sold after a deal fell apart
It closed — on a later contract.
- 1652 White Starfish Court, CalabashSold · $465,000 · fell apart Jul 19, 2026
- 9205 Little Osprey Drive Lot 337, CalabashSold · $439,000 · fell apart Jul 10, 2026
- 29 Pinewood Drive, CalabashSold · $485,700 · fell apart Jun 10, 2026
- 378 Thicket Drive NW, CalabashSold · $410,000 · fell apart Apr 22, 2026
- 1036 Palm Court SW, CalabashSold · $265,000 · fell apart Apr 14, 2026
- 395 S Crow Creek Drive NW 1615, CalabashSold · $246,000 · fell apart Apr 1, 2026
- 9007 Island Shore Avenue, CalabashSold · $345,000 · fell apart Mar 25, 2026
- 8697 Radcliff Drive NW, CalabashSold · $270,000 · fell apart Mar 2, 2026
- 9095 Devaun Park Boulevard SW, CalabashSold · $670,000 · fell apart Feb 19, 2026
- 660 Landmark Cove, Carolina ShoresSold · $359,900 · fell apart Jan 28, 2026
- 301 Bulkhead Bend, CalabashSold · $273,500 · fell apart Jan 2, 2026
- 1339 Sunny Slope Circle, CalabashSold · $414,000 · fell apart Dec 6, 2025
- 11 Court 11 Northwest Drive NW, Carolina ShoresSold · $291,938 · fell apart Nov 11, 2025
- 8940 Smithfield Drive NW, CalabashSold · $394,000 · fell apart Oct 30, 2025
- 340 Mayflower Drive NW, CalabashSold · $339,900 · fell apart Oct 23, 2025
- 1345 Sunny Slope Circle, CalabashSold · $322,000 · fell apart Oct 11, 2025
- 9066 Ocean Harbour Golf Club Road SW, CalabashSold · $520,000 · fell apart Oct 6, 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 28467?
30 of about 172 contracts for homes under 10 years old in ZIP 28467 fell apart over the last 12 months — about 1 in 6.
What does a failed contract cost a seller in ZIP 28467?
About $14,400 on a typical $385,000 home — 73 extra days of holding costs (about $96 a day with a mortgage) plus a 1.9-point lower sale price. With no mortgage it's about $9,900.
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.