October 27, 2025
In September, greater than 53,000 offers nationwide have been canceled, representing 15% of houses that went beneath contract that month.
People are coping with one of many slowest housing markets in historical past. Years of rising house costs and unpredictable mortgage charges have scared off many would-be patrons, and even when offers are made, extra are falling aside earlier than closing. In September, greater than 53,000 offers nationwide have been canceled, representing 15% of houses that went beneath contract that month. That’s up from 13.6% a 12 months earlier. In different phrases, extra homebuyers are “ghosting” sellers earlier than closing, pushing some sellers to carry off and even take away listings altogether.
Redfin Actual Property checked out the place patrons are disappearing probably the most — and what each side can do to maintain their deal alive.
High 10 cities the place patrons are ghosting sellers probably the most
Consumers are backing off probably the most within the Solar Belt, particularly in Florida and Texas. The area turned a migration sizzling spot in 2021 and 2022 for its relative affordability and heat climate, with cities like Tampa and San Antonio main the cost. However that growth despatched costs hovering.
Now, when paired with rising local weather dangers, HOA charges, and insurance coverage premiums, extra shoppers are selecting to carry off altogether. Solar Belt states are additionally constructing extra houses than wherever else, prompting patrons to again out as a result of they’re assured they are going to have the ability to discover one thing else. Financial uncertainty can be enjoying a job.
High 10 cities the place patrons are ghosting sellers the least
Extra costly metros like San Francisco and Seattle have the bottom shares of ghosting patrons.The remaining metros on this listing are extra reasonably priced however among the many few remaining vendor’s and balanced markets within the U.S. With restricted stock, patrons are extra prepared to maneuver ahead as soon as they’ve made a suggestion as a result of they don’t have many different decisions.
Why are extra offers falling via?
In lots of circumstances, house purchases are more and more falling via as a result of patrons and sellers aren’t on the identical web page. With neither facet prepared to compromise, negotiations typically break down earlier than closing — usually through the inspection interval. Redfin brokers stated in a latest survey that greater than 70% of the offers that fall via achieve this through the inspection.
It’s a purchaser’s market in many of the U.S., so those that are nonetheless out there know they’ve leverage. It’s frequent for them to be choosier and ask for repairs, worth reductions, and different concessions. When sellers push again, or when inspections reveal new points, many patrons are strolling away. Consumers are additionally eyeing houses at cheaper price factors, which usually tend to have inspection points that may derail a deal.
Moreover, some sellers nonetheless suppose it’s 2021, when houses bought as-is for high greenback, and are having a tough time adjusting to immediately’s very completely different market. Others who purchased through the pandemic might also must promote at a sure worth to keep away from taking a loss, making them much less prepared to barter.
What sellers and homebuyers can do to maintain offers collectively
Sellers
Most often, house sellers are those preventing for a purchaser; they need to put together to be versatile and prepared to barter.
- Get a pre-inspection. Establish and repair main points earlier than itemizing to keep away from surprises later.
- Be practical and versatile. Right now’s patrons count on concessions like worth credit and repairs. Refusing to barter can sink a deal.
- Deal with frequent points early. Roof, plumbing, and drainage issues are frequent deal-breakers. Tackle them upfront.
- Value good. Value too excessive and your house will probably sit unsold till you come down.
Consumers
Homebuyers are within the driver’s seat throughout the U.S., to allow them to typically lead negotiations and ask for concessions. Nevertheless, there are methods to protect in opposition to offers falling via and pace up the closing course of.
- Get pre-approved. Robust financing alerts to sellers that you just’re severe and reduces the danger of fallout. Getting pre-approved is without doubt one of the greatest methods to do that.
- Know what to anticipate. Most inspections uncover one thing. Don’t panic over minor fixes.
- Do your homework. Assessment disclosures, insurance coverage prices, and HOA charges earlier than making a suggestion.
- Use contingencies correctly. Again out provided that main points come up or repairs are unreasonable.
Methodology
This story relies on an October 2025 Redfin report, which analyzed U.S. home-purchase settlement cancellations (“ghosting”) as a proportion of all pending gross sales in August 2025 — nationwide and throughout 47 of the 50 largest U.S. metros. Information is seasonal and dates again to 2017. Observe that houses that fell out of contract throughout a given month didn’t essentially go beneath contract the identical month. For instance, a house that fell out of contract in September might have gone beneath contract in August.
This story was produced by Redfin Actual Property and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
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