Estimated cost of a dead deal
$45,700
on a typical $432,500 home with a mortgage · $41,200 if it's paid off
- Contracts that fell apart
- 25% about 1 in 4 · 24 of 97
- Extra days on the market
- 66 103 vs. 37 on the first contract
- Lower sale price
- 9.0 pts 86.4% vs. 95.4% of first asking
- Never sold at all
- 21% of the homes whose deal died
When a deal dies on a crawl-space home in ZIP 28584, it costs the seller about $45,700
24 of about 97 contracts for homes on a crawl space in ZIP 28584 fell apart over the last 12 months — about 1 in 4. The ones that sold later took 66 more days and sold for 9.0 points less of their first asking price than homes that closed on the first contract. And 21% of the homes whose deal died never sold at all.
- Holding costs run about $103 a day on a typical $432,500 home — 66 extra days is about $6,780.
- The price scar alone is about $38,900 on a $432,500 home.
- 25% came back on the market at a lower price (a median 5.9% 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.
$45,700
66 extra days at about $103 a day = $6,781 in holding costs, plus $38,925 from a 9.0-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.
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 46% — after 103 days in all, for 86.4% of the first price
- Still trying 42% — back on the market or under contract again
- Never sold 13% — expired, canceled or withdrawn
Homes that sold on their first contract took 37 days and sold for 95.4% of their first price. 25% of the homes that came back on the market cut their price.
By age of the home
Older homes give inspectors more to find.
By first asking price
| Contracts | Fell apart | Extra days | Price scar | Est. cost | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Under $300K | 84 | 23% | 60 | 1.1 pts | $6,400 |
| $300–400K | 64 | 17% | — | — | — |
| $400–500K | 68 | 15% | 157 | 3.3 pts | $30,800 |
| $500–750K | 88 | 26% | 83 | 4.0 pts | $35,000 |
| $750K–1M | 16 | 25% | — | — | — |
Homes behind the numbers
Back on the market
Their contract fell apart; they're for sale again.
- 602 W Broad Street, SwansboroBack on the market · $649,000 · fell apart Sep 19, 2026
- 113 Lookout Ridge, Cedar PointBack on the market · $650,000 · fell apart Sep 8, 2026
- 174 Fox Drive, Cape CarteretBack on the market · $467,000 · fell apart Jul 1, 2026
- 125 Lejeune Road, Cape CarteretBack on the market · $489,900 · fell apart Apr 24, 2026
- 107 Magens Way, Cedar PointBack on the market · $634,000 · fell apart Apr 1, 2026
Under contract again
Second try under way.
- 520 W Corbett Avenue, SwansboroUnder contract again · $354,000 · fell apart Sep 3, 2026
- 4 Schooner Drive, SwansboroUnder contract again · $284,900 · fell apart Jul 26, 2026
- 143 Capn Deck Lane, Cedar PointUnder contract again · $699,000 · fell apart Jun 8, 2026
Sold after a deal fell apart
It closed — on a later contract.
- 120 Plantation Drive, SwansboroSold · $507,000 · fell apart Aug 7, 2026
- 104 Lee Court, SwansboroSold · $205,000 · fell apart Jun 23, 2026
- 195 Queens Creek Road, SwansboroSold · $150,000 · fell apart Apr 21, 2026
- 202 Nikida Court, SwansboroSold · $435,000 · fell apart Apr 20, 2026
- 274 Norris Road, SwansboroSold · $240,000 · fell apart Apr 16, 2026
- 105 Deerfield Court, Cedar PointSold · $475,000 · fell apart Apr 7, 2026
- 109 Forest Lane, SwansboroSold · $370,000 · fell apart Apr 1, 2026
- 115 Apollo Drive, Cape CarteretSold · $520,000 · fell apart Mar 23, 2026
- 100 Stevens Court, SwansboroSold · $520,000 · fell apart Mar 8, 2026
- 102 Plantation Drive, SwansboroSold · $580,000 · fell apart Jan 4, 2026
- 303 S Elm Street, SwansboroSold · $1,190,000 · fell apart Dec 20, 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 28584?
24 of about 97 contracts for homes on a crawl space in ZIP 28584 fell apart over the last 12 months — about 1 in 4.
What does a failed contract cost a seller in ZIP 28584?
About $45,700 on a typical $432,500 home — 66 extra days of holding costs (about $103 a day with a mortgage) plus a 9.0-point lower sale price. With no mortgage it's about $41,200.
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.