Top Reasons Buyers Cancel a Home Sale in Oregon

By Will Fendon

For nearly 20 years, Will Fendon has been a top-producing Realtor in Portland, Lake Oswego, West Linn, and surrounding areas.

Why do so many home sales in Oregon fall apart even after the buyer and seller agree on everything? After nearly 20 years in real estate, I’ve seen it happen more times than you’d think; almost one out of every four sales never make it to closing. The good news is that most of those failed deals are preventable.

Let me walk you through the five biggest reasons home sales fall through and what you can do to keep your sale on track.

1. Home inspection issues. Inspection reports can run 40 to 75 pages or more, and they often look worse than they really are. If a buyer’s agent doesn’t help interpret the report, even minor issues can scare a buyer away. Problems with the roof, siding, crawlspace, or foundation are the usual culprits.

The best move you can make as a seller is to order a pre-listing inspection before you go to market. Fix the serious stuff, like items related to code, health, fire, or safety, and you’ll be in a stronger position when negotiations begin. You don’t have to fix every single thing, but addressing the big ones can save you from a failed sale.

2. Financing falls through. Even a “pre-approved” buyer can lose financing before closing. I’ve seen it happen due to new debt, credit changes, or underwriting red flags. That’s why I always verify with the buyer’s lender that their assets are confirmed, their pre-approval is solid, and their loan is truly qualified. That can be the difference between a closed deal and a failed one.

3. Appraisal gaps. These can also derail a sale when the home’s appraised value comes in lower than the agreed price. Someone has to cover the difference, but buyers rarely add cash, while sellers don’t like lowering the price. The best way to prevent this is to price your home correctly from the start so it aligns with market value and avoids appraisal issues altogether.

4. Buyer’s remorse. Sometimes buyers simply get cold feet or spot another home that catches their eye. That’s why steady communication throughout the process is essential. I stay in regular contact with buyers, agents, and lenders to keep deadlines and contingencies on track, because when everyone’s informed and aligned, those last-minute jitters are far less likely to derail the sale.

5. Too many contingencies. A deal can easily fall through when it’s loaded with too many contingencies. Selling a home is not only about getting the highest price but also about choosing an offer that can successfully close. Often, the best offer is the one with simpler terms and fewer conditions. Clean, straightforward deals move faster and have a much better chance of reaching the finish line.

Accepting an offer is only the start. Closing the sale takes preparation, strategy, and clear communication. Before listing, schedule a pre-listing inspection, work with a proactive agent, and review offers carefully.

I know most sellers are now planning to list before the holidays or early next year. If that’s you, let’s talk! Just email me at [email protected] and I’ll help you avoid these common setbacks to get your home sold smoothly.