More Home Deals Are Falling Apart - Here's How Alaska Sellers Can Stay Ahead

The Not-So-Fun Reality: Deals Are Falling Through

Imagine this: you’ve accepted an offer on your home in Anchorage or Wasilla, you’re halfway to popping champagne, and then - BAM - the deal craters right before closing. Brutal, right? Well, it’s happening more often.

According to Redfin, 15% of pending home sales fell through in June. That’s above the old norm of about 12%, and while it doesn’t sound huge, those numbers represent real deals, real buyers, and real sellers watching their plans disintegrate.

But here’s the good news: most of this mess is avoidable if you know what’s causing it.

Why Buyers Are Backing Out

A survey from John Burns Research & Consulting (JBREC) and Keeping Current Matters (KCM) revealed the biggest culprit: home inspections.

Why? Because today’s buyers are stretched thin with high prices and interest rates around 6.5%. That leaves zero appetite for surprise repair bills.

• If an inspection uncovers major issues (like a leaky roof, electrical nightmares, or plumbing problems), buyers might just walk.

• With more homes on the market in Palmer, Wasilla, and even Girdwood, buyers have options. Why wrestle with your fixer-upper when they can find something move-in ready?

• And if sellers refuse to fix things, many buyers would rather move on than negotiate.

Enter the Hero Move: The Pre-Listing Inspection

Think of it as suiting up before battle. A pre-listing inspection is when you hire a professional inspector before your home hits the MLS. And while it’s not required, it could save your deal (and probably your sanity).

Here’s what it does for you:

1. Fix Issues Early: You’ll know what’s hiding behind the walls before buyers do. That gives you time to repair what matters.

2. Avoid Renegotiation Chaos: No last-minute panic discounts or repair concessions. Buyers already know what they’re walking into.

3. Build Buyer Trust: A clean, pre-inspected home in Anchorage or Palmer shows buyers you mean business. Buyer confidence = quicker offers.

The National Association of Realtors (NAR) backs this up, saying it helps prevent costly surprises from tanking deals at the finish line.

Should Every Seller Do This?

Not always. Sometimes it’s overkill, sometimes it’s genius. That’s where your real estate agent (hi, that’s me) steps in. Together, we’ll decide if a pre-listing inspection makes sense for your property and market.

Here’s how I guide sellers in Southcentral Alaska:

• Prioritize Repairs: Fix the issues buyers in Anchorage or Wasilla actually care about.

• Disclose, Disclose, Disclose: Decide what to fix and what to just disclose instead. Not every repair has a positive ROI, so we'll identify what's best for your property. 

• Save Time and Stress: Position your home to attract confident buyers who don’t flinch after inspections.

The Bottom Line (aka The Mic Drop)

If you’re selling in Anchorage, Wasilla, Palmer, or Girdwood, a few hundred bucks on a pre-listing inspection could save you thousands—and could even keep your deal from crashing.

The market’s shifting, buyers have more options, and inspections are the #1 deal killer. Don’t get caught off guard. Suit up early, fix what matters, and hit closing day with confidence.