H
omebuyers are pulling out of contracts as prices rise and the economy feels shaky. Many think the sheer volume of listings will let them find a better fit, so they back out. The trend is strongest in Texas and Florida, weakest in Nassau County, NY, and the Bay Area. In October, 53,000 U.S. purchase agreements were canceled—15.1 % of all contracts that month, up from 14.3 % a year earlier, per Redfin’s MLS pending‑sales analysis. Cancellations stem from high costs, a buyer’s market, and, in Florida, growing disaster risk and insurance/HOA fees. Sellers are advised to price fairly from the start to keep listings from lingering and tempting buyers to walk away.

    **Top cancellation markets (October 2025)**

    - San Antonio, TX – 21 %

    - Fort Lauderdale, FL – 20 %

    - Fort Worth, TX – 19.7 %

    - Las Vegas, NV – 19.2 %

    - Jacksonville, FL – 19.2 %

    **Lowest cancellation markets**

    - Nassau County, NY – 4.4 %

    - San Francisco, CA – 4.6 %

    - San Jose, CA – 7 %

    - Oakland, CA – 9.1 %

    - Montgomery County, PA – 9.2 %

    **Metro‑level snapshot (October 2025 vs. October 2024)**

    - Anaheim, CA: 15.6 % → 14.7 %

    - Atlanta, GA: 18.7 % → 18.1 %

    - Austin, TX: 15.7 % → 13.2 %

    - Baltimore, MD: 14.2 % → 12.0 %

    - Boston, MA: 12.0 % → 10.1 %

    - Chicago, IL: 15.3 % → 14.3 %

    - Dallas, TX: 18.0 % → 16.5 %

    - Denver, CO: 16.9 % → 18.5 %

    - Houston, TX: 11.7 % → 14.8 %

    - Miami, FL: 17.6 % → 16.6 %

    - New York, NY: 9.5 % → 8.1 %

    - San Diego, CA: 16.8 % → 14.4 %

    - Seattle, WA: 11.9 % → 10.2 %

    - Tampa, FL: 19.1 % → 22.2 %

    - National average: 15.1 % → 14.3 %