Estimated cost of a dead deal
$10,400
on a typical $249,900 home with a mortgage · $8,500 if it's paid off
- Contracts that fell apart
- 17% about 1 in 6 · 11 of 64
- Extra days on the market
- 47 75 vs. 28 on the first contract
- Lower sale price
- 2.9 pts 97.1% vs. 100.0% of first asking
- Never sold at all
- 22% of the homes whose deal died
When a deal died in ZIP 28540 in January 2026, it cost the seller about $10,400
11 of about 64 contracts for resale homes in ZIP 28540 fell apart in January 2026 — about 1 in 6. The ones that sold later took 47 more days and sold for 2.9 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 9.0 points from January 2025.
- Holding costs run about $67 a day on a typical $249,900 home — 47 extra days is about $3,160.
- The price scar alone is about $7,200 on a $249,900 home.
- 46% came back on the market at a lower price (a median 2.9% 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.
$10,400
47 extra days at about $67 a day = $3,156 in holding costs, plus $7,247 from a 2.9-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.
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 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January 2026 | 17% | 11 | 64 | $10,400 |
| Month before | 21% | 15 | 73 | $23,300 |
| Same month last year | 26% | 17 | 65 | $11,600 |
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 64% — after 75 days in all, for 97.1% of the first price
- Still trying 18% — back on the market or under contract again
- Never sold 18% — expired, canceled or withdrawn
Homes that sold on their first contract took 28 days and sold for 100.0% of their first price. 46% 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 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10–19 yrs | 10 | 10% | — | — | — |
| 50+ yrs | 30 | 17% | — | — | — |
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 | 31 | 16% | — | — | — |
| No crawl space | 30 | 20% | — | — | — |
By first asking price
| Contracts | Fell apart | Extra days | Price scar | Est. cost | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Under $300K | 46 | 15% | — | — | — |
| $300–400K | 17 | 24% | — | — | — |
Homes behind the numbers
Sold after a deal fell apart
It closed — on a later contract.
- 119 Casey Court, JacksonvilleSold · $255,000 · fell apart Jan 28, 2026
- 101 Robin Road, JacksonvilleSold · $129,900 · fell apart Jan 21, 2026
- 1210 Hendricks Avenue, JacksonvilleSold · $320,000 · fell apart Jan 14, 2026
- 501 Oak Lane, JacksonvilleSold · $246,000 · fell apart Jan 9, 2026
- 211 Holly Grove Court E, JacksonvilleSold · $335,000 · fell apart Jan 5, 2026
- 317 James Hedrick Court, JacksonvilleSold · $355,000 · fell apart Jan 2, 2026
- 217 Holly Grove Court E, JacksonvilleSold · $330,000 · fell apart Jan 2, 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 28540?
11 of about 64 contracts for resale homes in ZIP 28540 fell apart in January 2026 — about 1 in 6.
What does a failed contract cost a seller in ZIP 28540?
About $10,400 on a typical $249,900 home — 47 extra days of holding costs (about $67 a day with a mortgage) plus a 2.9-point lower sale price. With no mortgage it's about $8,500.
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. Numbers for January 2026 only.