5 Steps To Take If Your Home Sale Falls Through
Written by
Emily Fowler
Edited by
Amen Oyiboke
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Selling a home is already one of life’s most stressful experiences, even when everything goes to plan. When a sale falls through, it can lead to panic and overwhelm, especially if another financial decision, like buying a new home, is dependent on it. According to Redfin, around 52,000 U.S. home purchase agreements fell through in March, leaving homeowners having to scramble for plan B.
Another Redfin survey shows that nearly one in four Americans are canceling major purchases, like a home or car, due to President Trump’s tariff policies, and many others are delaying plans. With so many people hitting pause, today’s housing market is full of hesitation, and sellers are feeling it.
When a sale collapses, it’s a financial and emotional strain. But it doesn’t have to be the end of the road. Here are five things to focus on to help regain control when a home sale falls through and keep moving forward.
Reassess the Financial Fallout
A collapsed sale is even more stressful if costs for an onward home purchase are piling up. Bridge loans, back-to-back mortgage payments and drained savings all need to be looked at as soon as possible, so the first step is to get a clear view of liabilities. A real estate attorney or financial advisor can clarify options, including pausing the next purchase or renegotiating terms.
Revisit the Buyer Pool
Before relisting, it’s worth considering what happened with any previously interested parties. Were there potential buyers who missed out the first time around? They may well still be interested, so asking the agent to check in with them would be a valuable step.
Press Pause If Needed
When emotions and costs are high, pulling back for a short reset can be smart if possible, and the time can be used to address inspection concerns, adjust pricing or regroup financially. A home sitting stale on the market sends the wrong message to potential buyers, according to Realtor.com, so taking it off for a few weeks can be better than letting it linger.
Relist With a Sharper Strategy
According to Zillow, nearly a quarter of listings got a price cut in March as inventory climbed to its highest March level since 2020. With more homes on the market and fewer buyers ready to commit, competition among sellers is intensifying. Buyer hesitancy is growing along with economic uncertainty, which means homes are not only sitting longer, but deals are increasingly falling through. Sellers who adjust what’s needed after a failed sale, whether that’s on price, timing or presentation, stand a better chance.
Avoid Panic Pricing
Dropping the price too soon won’t necessarily result in an immediate sale, and may mean leaving money on the table. Redfin noted that about 1 in 10 of quarter one home sales included a triple hit: a concession, a price cut and a final sale below asking, a combination that can add up to a significant loss for sellers. Adjust where needed, but don’t make desperation moves without strategy.
A failed sale stings, but it’s fixable. What happens next depends on the ability to pivot, adjust and reenter the market with better positioning.
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Sources
- Redfin, “44% of Home Sellers Are Giving Concessions to Buyers–Just Shy of the HighestLevel on Record”
- Redfin, “24% of Americans are Scrapping Plans to Make a Major Purchase Like a Home or Car Due to Tariffs: Redfin Survey”
- Realtor.com, “Sellers Beware: More Homes on the Market Are Going ‘Stale’ Due to This Big Listing Mistake”
- Zillow, “April Market Report: Markets Shift in Some Buyers’ Favor”
