Top Reasons Buyers Cancel a Home Sale in North Carolina

By Ismael Gil

Ismael is a dedicated real estate professional with deep roots in the Carolinas. Since becoming a Realtor in 2019, Ismael has made it his mission to help buyers, sellers, and investors make confident, informed decisions.

Ever had a home sale fall apart just when you thought it was a done deal? Getting an offer is exciting, but most North Carolina sellers don’t realize how often deals collapse before closing. In fact, just last year, one of our sellers accepted a clean, full-priced offer that seemed perfect until the inspection report came back. The buyer flagged issues, got cold feet, and the deal collapsed within 48 hours.

Still, we didn’t give up. After a pre-listing inspection, a few smart repairs, and strategic pricing, we closed with another buyer six weeks later. It taught me that most failed sales aren’t bad luck. They’re preventable.

The reality is, about one in four home sales fall apart after going under contract, often for reasons that could have been prevented. That’s why I’m breaking down the top five reasons sales fail, and what you can do to make sure yours doesn’t.

1. Inspection surprises. One of the biggest deal breakers comes from home inspections. Buyers don’t want to uncover costly issues like foundation cracks, HVAC problems, or roof damage after going under contract. So, I always recommend getting a pre-listing inspection. It helps you spot what needs to be fixed or adjust your price accordingly, so there are no big surprises later on.

2. Financing falling through. Even when a buyer has a pre-approval, their financing can still fall through. I’ve seen buyers open new credit lines or make big purchases before closing, which can lower their credit score and cause lenders to question the loan. As a seller, you can protect yourself by requiring a strong pre-approval letter and working with an agent who verifies the buyer’s qualifications. I always reach out to the lender myself to make sure the offer is solid.

3. Low appraisals. When a buyer uses a loan, the lender orders an appraisal to confirm the home’s value. If the appraised value comes in lower than the offer, the lender won’t cover the difference. Unless the buyer pays the gap or the seller adjusts the price, the deal can easily fall apart. That’s why pricing your home correctly from the start and working with an agent who knows how to run accurate comps is so important.

4. Buyer’s remorse or cold feet. Not every canceled sale is about money. Sometimes, buyers simply panic about the commitment or decide another home fits their needs better. You can’t stop buyer’s remorse entirely, but you can lower the risk by keeping communication open, setting clear expectations, and working with an agent who stays proactive and keeps the deal moving forward.

5. Too many contingencies. Every “if” in an offer adds risk. Maybe the buyer needs to sell their current home first, wants a long inspection period, or has a lengthy loan approval timeline. The more contingencies, the more chances the deal could fall apart. That’s why I always help my sellers evaluate not just the price, but also the strength and speed of the offer. A slightly lower offer with fewer strings attached is often better than a higher one with more risk.

Getting under contract is exciting, but it’s only step one. Closing strong takes preparation, clear communication, and a strategy that protects your interests. If you’re thinking about selling, don’t hesitate to call or text me at 919-259-1891 or email me at ismaelgil@kw.com. I’ll help you prepare your home, review offers carefully, and avoid the most common deal breakers that derail a sale.