Estimated cost of a dead deal
$0
on a typical $289,000 home with a mortgage · $0 if it's paid off
- Contracts that fell apart
- 12% about 1 in 9 · 13 of 112
- Extra days on the market
- 0 13 vs. 18 on the first contract
- Lower sale price
- 0.0 pts 100.0% vs. 98.6% of first asking
- Never sold at all
- 30% of the homes whose deal died
12% of contracts for homes 10–19 years old in ZIP 28539 fell apart
13 of about 112 contracts for homes 10–19 years old in ZIP 28539 fell apart over the last 12 months — about 1 in 9. The ones that sold later took 0 more days and sold for 0.0 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.
- 23% came back on the market at a lower price (a median 2.1% 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.
$0
0 extra days at about $75 a day = $0 in holding costs, plus $0 from a 0.0-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 $17/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 54% — after 13 days in all, for 100.0% of the first price
- Still trying 23% — back on the market or under contract again
- Never sold 23% — expired, canceled or withdrawn
Homes that sold on their first contract took 18 days and sold for 98.6% of their first price. 23% 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 | 81 | 25% | 69 | 6.8 pts | $21,400 |
| No crawl space | 340 | 15% | 48 | 3.1 pts | $11,900 |
By first asking price
| Contracts | Fell apart | Extra days | Price scar | Est. cost | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Under $300K | 278 | 16% | 53 | 4.4 pts | $14,500 |
| $300–400K | 119 | 18% | 45 | 4.3 pts | $18,300 |
| $400–500K | 19 | 26% | — | — | — |
| $500–750K | 21 | 19% | — | — | — |
Homes behind the numbers
Under contract again
Second try under way.
- 204 Bell Ridge Lane, HubertUnder contract again · $349,900 · fell apart Jul 23, 2026
- 612 Dezi Lane, HubertUnder contract again · $599,900 · fell apart Apr 24, 2026
Sold after a deal fell apart
It closed — on a later contract.
- 225 Lockwood Court, HubertSold · $275,000 · fell apart Jun 20, 2026
- 410 Peppermint Drive, HubertSold · $299,900 · fell apart Apr 27, 2026
- 204 Demetrius Court, HubertSold · $295,000 · fell apart Feb 18, 2026
- 123 Beagle Drive, HubertSold · $365,000 · fell apart Jan 13, 2026
- 105 Marina Leigh Drive, HubertSold · $249,000 · fell apart Dec 27, 2025
- 715 Southernwood Place, HubertSold · $530,000 · fell apart Oct 30, 2025
- 8 Arrowhead Drive, HubertSold · $333,000 · 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 28539?
13 of about 112 contracts for homes 10–19 years old in ZIP 28539 fell apart over the last 12 months — about 1 in 9.
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.