Most home sales make it all the way to closing. Nationally, only about 1 in 7 pending sales fall through, according to Redfin, and the single biggest reason a deal stalls is something you can get ahead of before your house ever hits the market.
If you’re getting ready to list in St. Johns County, Nocatee, or St. Augustine, that’s good news. Buyers moving right now are usually doing so because of a real life change, a new job, a growing family, a relocation, so they’re motivated to see the deal through. Still, it helps to know what typically trips up a sale and what you can do to avoid it.
Why Some Deals Fall Apart Before Closing
A Redfin survey looked at the most common reasons pending sales fail. Here’s what tends to cause trouble:
- Inspection or repair issues. This is the most common culprit. When a buyer’s inspector finds a problem with the roof, plumbing, or foundation, the buyer may ask for repairs, a credit, or a lower price. If they don’t get it, they can walk.
- The buyer’s financing falls through. A mortgage has to be fully approved before closing day. If it doesn’t come together in time, the sale can’t move forward.
- The buyer’s current home doesn’t sell. Some buyers need to sell first. If that takes longer than expected, your timeline can slip, or the buyer may back out altogether.
- A change in the buyer’s finances. A new job, a big purchase, or new debt can shift what a buyer qualifies for, even after they’ve been pre-approved.
Where a Local Agent Makes the Difference
Some of these risks are out of your hands. But there are proactive steps a good agent can help you take to protect your sale from the start.
- Get a pre-listing inspection. This means having your home inspected before a buyer’s inspector ever sets foot inside. It lets you catch major issues early, so you can fix them or disclose them on your terms instead of scrambling once you’re under contract. Your agent can help you decide what’s worth repairing and what’s better left to a straightforward disclosure.
- Look past the offer price. The highest number on paper isn’t always the safest deal. Your agent will help you weigh the buyer’s timeline and any contingencies, especially if their offer depends on selling their own home first. Sometimes a slightly lower offer with fewer strings attached is the smarter choice.
A pre-listing inspection is something you can act on right now, before you ever list. That small upfront step can save you from a much bigger headache later. Whether it makes sense for your home depends on your property, your submarket, and what buyers in your area are prioritizing, which is exactly the kind of guidance a local agent provides.
Bottom Line
Most home sales close, and the biggest risk to yours is the one thing you can actually do something about. With the right preparation and the right agent by your side, your sale has every reason to make it to the finish line.
FAQs
How often do home sales actually fall through? Only about 1 in 7 pending home sales fail to close, according to Redfin, so the vast majority make it all the way through.
What’s the number one reason a home sale falls apart? Inspection or repair issues are the leading cause, often because problems surface that the seller wasn’t expecting.
Is a pre-listing inspection worth the cost? For many sellers, yes, because it lets you address issues on your own terms before a buyer’s inspector finds them, though your agent can tell you whether it makes sense for your specific home and market.
If you are considering buying or selling in Northeast Florida, contact Danielle Fraser, P.A.
Call or text 904-907-4559 , email danielle@