09/07/2026
In North Carolina, one of the most important parts of a residential real estate transaction is the due diligence period.
Unlike many states, North Carolina gives buyers a negotiated period of time to investigate the property, review inspections, evaluate financing, examine title issues, and decide whether they want to move forward with the purchase. During that period, a buyer may generally terminate the contract unilaterally for any reason, but the due diligence fee is typically nonrefundable. Meaning, as soon as the check is given to the sellers, those funds are rightfully the Sellers absent a material breach of the contract by the Seller.
For Realtors, this makes careful communication especially important. Buyers should understand that inspection issues, financing concerns, appraisal problems, title matters, and repair negotiations all need to be addressed promptly before the due diligence deadline expires.
From an attorney’s perspective, one of the most common mistakes is waiting until the last few days of the due diligence period to address a significant issue. If a title problem, survey concern, or contract question arises, getting the attorney involved early can give everyone more time to evaluate the issue and work toward a solution.
A smooth closing often starts well before closing day. Good communication between the buyer, seller, Realtors, lender, and closing attorney can prevent many last-minute surprises. At Rouse Law, PLLC, Attorney Rouse has handled over 15,000 closings throughout his career. He requires himself as well as his staff to alert all parties of any issues the moment they are discovered, even if it’s an issue that is easily fixable. Our goal at Rouse Law is to make what is most likely the largest financial transaction of a client’s life as stress free as possible and get you into your new residence as quickly and efficiently as possible.
Call us today to schedule your next closing or estate planning consult!
Rouse Law, PLLC
Residential & Commercial Real Estate Closings