Real Estate Deal-Breakers: What Stops a Deal from Closing?

March 31, 2025

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Real Estate Deal-Breakers: What Stops a Deal from Closing?

The property is under contract. Everyone’s excited. You’ve mentally spent the profit.

What could possibly go wrong?

Plenty.

Here are the top real estate deal-breakers that can derail a transaction faster than a squirrel at a home inspection:

🚧 1. Financing Falls Apart

The buyer can’t qualify, the lender pulls a last-minute surprise, or the appraisal comes in low.

Pro Tip: Always have a financing backup plan—and know your buyer’s pre-approval isn’t a guarantee.

🕵️‍♂️ 2. Inspection Surprises

“Minor repairs” turn out to be mold, termites, or a foundation doing the limbo.

Pro Tip: Expect some negotiating after the inspection. Budget for it.

📜 3. Title Issues

Liens, missing heirs, or a mystery second mortgage from 1993 can hold up closing.

Pro Tip: Run title searches early—before everyone’s packed and angry.

📉 4. Appraisal Gap

The appraiser says it’s worth $20K less than the contract price. The buyer panics.

Pro Tip: Prepare comps. Challenge bad appraisals. Or renegotiate if needed.

🧍‍♀️ 5. Cold Feet

Buyers get nervous. Sellers change their minds. Someone’s cousin suddenly becomes a “real estate expert.”

Pro Tip: Keep communication clear, frequent, and calm. Uncertainty kills deals.

🔀 6. Contingencies Kill the Clock

If your contract is loaded with “subject to” clauses, things can get sticky—fast.

Pro Tip: Know when to push forward and when to cut bait.

🎯 Final Thought:

Getting under contract is step one. Closing the deal is where the magic (and the money) happens.

Want to be a closer?

Learn to spot the deal-breakers early, solve the problems quickly, and always have a Plan B.

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