Inspection issues and unqualified buyers make up nearly 70% of failed home sales—here’s how to avoid them and protect your deal.
Imagine this: you put your home on the market, wait weeks for the right offer, finally get under contract, and breathe a sigh of relief, thinking the hard part is over. Then your phone rings, and your agent tells you the buyer has backed out. Suddenly, you’re starting from scratch, your home has been sitting on the market longer, and new buyers are asking, “Why didn’t the first deal go through?”
This is the reality that many sellers face today. Prices aren’t what they were last year, the average time on market has stretched to about 30 days, and even when you finally accept an offer, there’s no guarantee it will stick. Deals are collapsing at higher rates than before, and the fallout can cost sellers both time and money. Understanding why this happens is the first step in preventing it from happening to you.
Inspection issues you can prevent.
The primary reason homes fall out of escrow is inspection-related issues, accounting for nearly 28% of failed sales. This means almost one in three homes never make it to the closing table simply because buyers got spooked after reviewing the inspection report. Many times, it’s not even about serious issues—it’s about the uncertainty buyers feel when they see a long list of repairs.
"Nearly 70% of failed home sales come down to inspection issues and unqualified buyers, but both can be prevented with preparation."
The smartest way to stay ahead is to order a pre-inspection before your home is ever listed for sale.
By doing this, you uncover problems on your terms, handle repairs that make sense, and show potential buyers that you’ve already done the work. Think of it like selling a certified pre-owned car: buyers know what they’re getting and have more confidence in moving forward. This small step not only reduces surprises but also strengthens your negotiating position and can save you thousands of dollars in the process.
Buyers who aren’t really qualified.
The second leading reason deals fall apart is financing. Too often, sellers accept offers from buyers who aren’t actually in a position to purchase. Some don’t have a real pre-approval, and others may be pre-approved but not fully underwritten, which means their lender hasn’t verified income, assets, or debt. When those details come to light later, the deal dies, leaving you back at square one.
The key here is to work with an agent who thoroughly screens buyers.
A truly qualified buyer is one who’s fully underwritten, not just pre-approved. This drastically reduces the likelihood of last-minute financing issues and helps ensure that, once you accept an offer, you can proceed to closing.
Selling your home doesn’t have to be stressful. With the right plan, you can avoid the common pitfalls that cause deals to fall apart. If you’re thinking about selling and want expert guidance, you can call or text us at (855) 935-6673 or email us at [email protected]. We’ll walk you through each step so you can feel confident and in control from start to finish.