Did you know that nearly 16% of home-purchase agreements fell through in June 2025? According to data from Redfin, that’s one in six deals collapsing before closing. That’s not just a number — it’s thousands of frustrated buyers, sellers, and agents scrambling to recover.
The reasons vary — from financing issues to inspection surprises — but the end result is the same: wasted time, lost money, and emotional exhaustion. At PropertyLens, we see these pitfalls every day. That’s why our mission is to give both buyers and sellers the tools they need to spot risks early, make smarter decisions, and keep deals alive.
Common Reasons Real Estate Deals Fall Apart
Buyer-Related Factors
- Financing issues: A pre-approval isn’t a guarantee. A sudden job loss, new debt, or a dip in credit can kill financing at the last minute.
- Buyer’s remorse: In high-pressure markets, some buyers simply get cold feet after realizing the size of their financial commitment.
- Home sale contingency: If the buyer’s current home doesn’t sell in time, their purchase can collapse — even if they love yours.
Property-Related Factors
- Inspection problems: From roof leaks to foundation cracks, inspection surprises often lead to tense negotiations. If there’s no agreement, the buyer walks.
- Low appraisal: Lenders won’t finance more than the appraised value. If that number comes in under the offer, deals can fall apart fast.
- Title issues: Liens, disputes, or claims against a property must be cleared before closing. If they aren’t, the sale can’t proceed.
- HOA issues: Rules on pets, rentals, or surprise fees can cause buyers to back out after reviewing documents.
Market and Other Factors
- Rising interest rates: Higher monthly payments can suddenly make a home unaffordable.
- Poor communication: Missteps between agents, buyers, and sellers lead to delays, mistrust, and failed deadlines.
“Rules on pets, rentals, or surprise fees can cause buyers to back out after reviewing documents.”
How Buyers and Sellers Can Protect Themselves
For Sellers
- Get a pre-listing inspection: Fix major issues before they’re uncovered later.
- Price strategically: Overpricing invites appraisal problems and discourages serious buyers.
- Vet buyers carefully: Look beyond the highest bid — financing strength matters just as much.
For Buyers
- Secure full pre-approval: Go beyond pre-qualification with full underwriting for a stronger financing position.
- Avoid big financial changes: Don’t open new credit lines, change jobs, or make large purchases mid-process.
- Negotiate smartly on inspections: Focus on the big-ticket items that matter most.
Where PropertyLens Makes the Difference
Here’s the kicker: most deals fall apart because of surprises. A buyer discovers a major repair need. A seller gets blindsided by an old permit issue. An undisclosed flood risk scares off financing.
That’s exactly why PropertyLens exists. Our home history reports give buyers the confidence to make offers backed by facts — not guesses. For sellers, a PropertyLens report helps identify potential deal-killers upfront, so they can be addressed before the listing hits the market.
When both sides see the same clear picture, deals stick. Closings happen. And everyone walks away with less stress and more confidence.
