Estimated cost of a dead deal
$3,300
on a typical $281,500 home with a mortgage · $2,300 if it's paid off
- Contracts that fell apart
- 17% about 1 in 6 · 17 of 98
- Extra days on the market
- 22 32 vs. 10 on the first contract
- Lower sale price
- 0.6 pts 99.4% vs. 100.0% of first asking
- Never sold at all
- 29% of the homes whose deal died
When a deal died in ZIP 28540 in June 2026, it cost the seller about $3,300
17 of about 98 contracts for resale homes in ZIP 28540 fell apart in June 2026 — about 1 in 6. The ones that sold later took 22 more days and sold for 0.6 points less of their first asking price than homes that closed on the first contract. And 29% of the homes whose deal died never sold at all. That's up 0.8 points from June 2025.
- Holding costs run about $73 a day on a typical $281,500 home — 22 extra days is about $1,610.
- The price scar alone is about $1,700 on a $281,500 home.
- 12% came back on the market at a lower price (a median 4.2% 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.
$3,300
22 extra days at about $73 a day = $1,608 in holding costs, plus $1,689 from a 0.6-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 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| June 2026 | 17% | 17 | 98 | $3,300 |
| Month before | 26% | 21 | 80 | $6,500 |
| Same month last year | 17% | 13 | 79 | $8,800 |
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 59% — after 32 days in all, for 99.4% of the first price
- Still trying 18% — back on the market or under contract again
- Never sold 24% — expired, canceled or withdrawn
Homes that sold on their first contract took 10 days and sold for 100.0% of their first price. 12% 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 | 12 | 8% | — | — | — |
| 10–19 yrs | 17 | 12% | — | — | — |
| 20–29 yrs | 21 | 19% | — | — | — |
| 30–49 yrs | 21 | 14% | — | — | — |
| 50+ yrs | 27 | 26% | — | — | — |
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 | 42 | 21% | 6 | 0.0 pts | $400 |
| No crawl space | 51 | 14% | — | — | — |
By first asking price
| Contracts | Fell apart | Extra days | Price scar | Est. cost | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Under $300K | 58 | 24% | 6 | 0.2 pts | $900 |
| $300–400K | 34 | 6% | — | — | — |
Homes behind the numbers
Under contract again
Second try under way.
- 206 Chatham Court, JacksonvilleUnder contract again · $220,000 · fell apart Jun 26, 2026
Sold after a deal fell apart
It closed — on a later contract.
- 706 Christine Avenue, JacksonvilleSold · $300,000 · fell apart Jun 29, 2026
- 411 Brentwood Avenue, JacksonvilleSold · $159,000 · fell apart Jun 25, 2026
- 1300 Decatur Road, JacksonvilleSold · $240,000 · fell apart Jun 19, 2026
- 117 Plantation Boulevard, JacksonvilleSold · $295,000 · fell apart Jun 19, 2026
- 400 Warlick Street, JacksonvilleSold · $250,000 · fell apart Jun 18, 2026
- 116 Sweetwater Drive, JacksonvilleSold · $263,000 · fell apart Jun 12, 2026
- 405 Reno Place, JacksonvilleSold · $298,500 · fell apart Jun 12, 2026
- 244 S Creek Drive, JacksonvilleSold · $240,000 · fell apart Jun 6, 2026
- 149 Haws Run Road, JacksonvilleSold · $216,000 · fell apart Jun 5, 2026
- 106 Ellen Court, JacksonvilleSold · $263,500 · fell apart Jun 1, 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?
17 of about 98 contracts for resale homes in ZIP 28540 fell apart in June 2026 — about 1 in 6.
What does a failed contract cost a seller in ZIP 28540?
About $3,300 on a typical $281,500 home — 22 extra days of holding costs (about $73 a day with a mortgage) plus a 0.6-point lower sale price. With no mortgage it's about $2,300.
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 June 2026 only.