Estimated cost of a dead deal
—
on a typical $430,000 home with a mortgage · — if it's paid off
- Contracts that fell apart
- 18% about 1 in 6 · 11 of 62
- Extra days on the market
- — — vs. 63 on the first contract
- Lower sale price
- — — vs. 95.8% of first asking
- Never sold at all
- 33% of the homes whose deal died
18% of contracts for homes listed $400K–$500K in ZIP 28469 fell apart
11 of about 62 contracts for homes listed $400K–$500K in ZIP 28469 fell apart over the last 12 months — about 1 in 6. And 33% of the homes whose deal died never sold at all.
- 36% came back on the market at a lower price (a median 8.4% 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.
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 36% — after — days in all, for — of the first price
- Still trying 45% — back on the market or under contract again
- Never sold 18% — expired, canceled or withdrawn
Homes that sold on their first contract took 63 days and sold for 95.8% of their first price. 36% 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 | 122 | 14% | 153 | 0.0 pts | $18,900 |
| 10–19 yrs | 69 | 17% | 114 | 6.0 pts | $53,400 |
| 20–29 yrs | 96 | 25% | 144 | 5.8 pts | $64,000 |
| 30–49 yrs | 152 | 20% | 86 | 3.2 pts | $23,700 |
| 50+ yrs | 26 | 39% | — | — | — |
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 | 107 | 32% | 55 | 2.6 pts | $18,500 |
| No crawl space | 323 | 16% | 161 | 6.9 pts | $61,700 |
Homes behind the numbers
Back on the market
Their contract fell apart; they're for sale again.
- 1706 Bay Tree Court SW, Ocean Isle BeachBack on the market · $399,000 · fell apart Sep 29, 2026
- 1561 Shipwatch Lane SW, Ocean Isle BeachBack on the market · $419,000 · fell apart Sep 4, 2026
Under contract again
Second try under way.
- 1603 Fawn Court SW, Ocean Isle BeachUnder contract again · $410,000 · fell apart Jun 15, 2026
Sold after a deal fell apart
It closed — on a later contract.
- 7008 Sevilleen Drive SW, Ocean Isle BeachSold · $473,000 · fell apart Jun 21, 2026
- 250 W Second Street 2b, Ocean Isle BeachSold · $412,800 · fell apart Apr 30, 2026
- 1812 Sandalwood Drive SW, Ocean Isle BeachSold · $400,000 · fell apart Feb 16, 2026
- 1596 Laurel Court SW, Ocean Isle BeachSold · $317,500 · fell apart Oct 13, 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 28469?
11 of about 62 contracts for homes listed $400K–$500K in ZIP 28469 fell apart over the last 12 months — about 1 in 6.
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.