Real Estate Investing in Winston-Salem, North Carolina (27105)

Everything the listing leaves out — vacancy, rent trend, cap rate, landlord climate. All free.

Forsyth County • Population: 41,257 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 27105 (Winston-Salem, NC)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
MIXED
Grade C (59/100)

Mixed — home prices are stretched relative to local incomes. Run the math on your specific situation.

📈 For Investors
MIXED
3.0 / 5 (52/100)

A cash-flow market — rent-to-price math works from day one, though value growth is modest. Great for income-focused investors.

⚠️ Risks to Know
3 flags
  • High vacancy: 17.8% of homes vacant — above national norms.
  • Elevated poverty: 24.9% poverty rate — can affect rent collection.
  • Lower household income: $34,873 median — tenant affordability is tighter.

What’s happening in Winston-Salem, NC (27105)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

2.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

4.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $174,974
Avg Monthly Rent $1,221
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $34,873
% Renters 49.9%

Market Analysis: 27105 Winston-Salem

This part of Forsyth County is not an easy win. The 27105 ZIP reflects softness in key indicators, and the playbook that works in cleaner markets often stalls here.

Distressed does not mean uninvestable. It means the margin for error is thinner. ZIP 27105 rewards the prepared, punishes the overconfident, and leaves the math unchanged either way.

Nearby ZIPs in Winston-Salem have seen price recovery that 27105 has not matched. Forsyth County data supports the view that the spread is structural rather than temporary.

A robust renter share of 50% in 27105 is not, on its own, a problem — but paired with below-average income and high mobility, it changes the operating playbook.

trends toward the ZIP is not uninvestable, but it is unforgiving. Section 8 landlords, local operators, and specialized value-add funds are the investor types that tend to succeed.

Explore the Data — Click a Tab Below
🏦 Current 30-yr Fixed Mortgage Rate: 6.76% as of Sep 10 Source: Freddie Mac PMMS

Here's what matters if you're considering buying a home in Winston-Salem:

C+ Average
Buy Confidence Score: 66/100
Affordability
10/25
Appreciation
18/25
Stability
13/20
Timing
10/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 5× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+3.6%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,221/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
COOL
More inventory, negotiating room for buyers
Bottom Line: Mixed signals in this market. Research specific properties carefully and be prepared to negotiate.
❄️
COOL MARKET
Winston-Salem, NC Metro Area
More inventory, negotiating room for buyers
47 days
Average time to sell
Average
11.4%
Listings with price cuts
Few Cuts
0.0%
Sale price vs asking
Below Ask
0.0%
Income needed for mortgage
Affordable
📅 Market conditions as of August 29, 2026 — updated weekly from Winston-Salem, NC metro data
🏠

Property Strategy for 27105

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
1BR
7.1% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
2BR
+9.5% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
5BR
$43,572/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
1BR $98,623 $970 7.1% +9.0% $98,623
2BR $114,923 $1,100 6.9% +9.5% $57,461
3BR $188,693 $1,440 5.5% +7.7% $62,898
4BR $223,788 $1,690 5.4% +7.7% $55,947
5BR $217,860 +7.3% $43,572

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$190K$163K$136K$109K$82K$56KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

Rent History (with trend line)

$1,356$1,315$1,275$1,234$1,193$1,152Oct 2022Sep 2024Jul 2026

📊 How Does 27105 Compare?

Metric 27105 Winston-Salem Winston-Salem, NC North Carolina
Home Value $174,974 $67,908 N/A $330,565
5-Year CAGR 4.4% 5.2% N/A 7.8%
Avg Rent $1,221 $1,520 N/A -
Cap Rate 5.4% 4.6% - -
💡 Why Invest in 27105? Click to expand

With a 3/5 investability rating, this ZIP shows solid fundamentals for buy-and-hold investors.

A healthy rental market with 50% renter-occupied households ensures tenant availability.

📊 See where this ZIP ranks in our Best-of lists →
A great house in the wrong ZIP is still a bad deal — screen every market by cash flow & cap rate.
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Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 27105 (Winston-Salem, NC). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
5.4%
Fair
5yr Growth
+4.4%
Moderate

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $174,974
Monthly Rent $1,221
Price-to-Rent 11.9:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 8.4%
Cap Rate 5.4%
5-Year IRR 9.9%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +3.6% ▲
3-Year CAGR +2.6% ▲
5-Year CAGR +4.4% ▲
10-Year CAGR +8.6% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year -8.9% ▼
3-Year CAGR +1.1% ▲
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 5.4%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (5.4%). Financing reduces your cash-on-cash return below the cap rate. Markets like this may still make sense as IRR plays — factoring in appreciation, depreciation, and a future refinance when rates drop.

Run an IRR Analysis →

⚠️ Risk Signals

Composite view of factors that can impact a ZIP's stability and your downside risk.

Vacancy
17.8%
Elevated risk
Landlord Climate
4.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+4.4%
Stable
Eviction process: Moderate Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 27105

Population: 41,257

💰 Median Household Income
$34,873
This area
$34,873
State
$63,256
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
49.9%
This area
49.9%
State
27.8%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
6.2%
This area
6.2%
State
-19.3%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
15.5%
This area
15.5%
State
0.5%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
33.9 years
This area
33.9 years
State
6.5 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
17.8%
This area
17.8%
State
19.4%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
Black/African American 59.3%
White 28.4%
Other/Mixed 11.9%
Hispanic/Latino 8.0%
Asian 0.3%
👶 Under 18
27.7%
This area
27.7%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
14.7%
This area
14.7%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
24.9%
This area
24.9%
USA
11.5%

Crime & Safety

🚧

Crime & Safety Data Coming Soon

We're integrating comprehensive crime statistics including violent crime rates, property crime, and safety scores to help you make informed investment decisions.

Expected: Q1 2025

🎓 Schools in 27105

B+ Avg School Grade
13 Schools
11.7:1 Avg Class Size
$14,281 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A Very Good

Kimberley Park Elementary

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
308 Students
👨‍🏫
12.0:1 Class Size
💰
$14,195 Per Student
A Very Good

Quality Education Academy

📚 K – 12 K-12 Charter
👥
667 Students
👨‍🏫
11.7:1 Class Size
💰
$15,307 Per Student
A Very Good

Ashley Academy

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
355 Students
👨‍🏫
13.0:1 Class Size
💰
$14,195 Per Student
A Very Good

Carver High

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
694 Students
👨‍🏫
13.4:1 Class Size
💰
$14,195 Per Student
A Very Good

Ibraham Elementary

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
345 Students
👨‍🏫
12.9:1 Class Size
💰
$14,195 Per Student
A Very Good

Mineral Springs Elementary

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
533 Students
👨‍🏫
12.3:1 Class Size
💰
$14,195 Per Student
A Very Good

North Hills Elementary

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
438 Students
👨‍🏫
13.6:1 Class Size
💰
$14,195 Per Student
A Very Good

Paisley IB Magnet School

📚 06 – 10 High School
👥
570 Students
👨‍🏫
12.7:1 Class Size
💰
$14,195 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Cook Literacy Model School

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
247 Students
👨‍🏫
12.7:1 Class Size
💰
$14,195 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Mineral Springs Middle

📚 06 – 08 Middle
👥
695 Students
👨‍🏫
15.5:1 Class Size
💰
$14,195 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Lowrance Middle

📚 06 – 10 High School
👥
136 Students
👨‍🏫
6.3:1 Class Size
💰
$14,195 Per Student
B Good

North Forsyth High

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
1,111 Students
👨‍🏫
15.2:1 Class Size
💰
$14,195 Per Student
B Good

Kingswood School

📚 Pre-K – 12 K-12
👥
7 Students
👨‍🏫
0.6:1 Class Size
💰
$14,195 Per Student
About Repit School Scores

Traditional school ratings rely heavily on standardized test scores, which often reflect family income more than school quality. Repit takes a different approach.

We evaluate schools based on factors that research shows actually impact educational outcomes:

  • Class Size — Smaller classes mean more individual attention
  • School Funding — Resources available for programs, staff, and facilities
  • Community Factors — Neighborhood characteristics that influence student success
  • School Environment — Size, type, and structure

Scores are updated annually using federal education data.

🎓 Nearby Colleges & Universities

8 Nearby 116 Off-Campus Students
D
Carolina Christian College
74 students · 1.6 mi
D
Empire Beauty School-Winston-Salem
72 students · 2.7 mi
B+
Wake Forest University
9,121 students · 3.1 mi
C+
Winston-Salem State University
4,776 students · 5.1 mi
C
Carolina University
893 students · 5.2 mi
C
Salem College
519 students · 5.3 mi
B+
University of North Carolina School of the Arts
1,074 students · 6.0 mi
C
Winston Salem Barber School
36 students · 6.8 mi

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the smart move for investors in Winston-Salem, NC?

The best-fit strategy in Winston-Salem, NC is careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management. That approach the rent and price profile of the market.

Should investors worry about vacancy in Winston-Salem, NC?

Rental vacancy in Winston-Salem, NC is elevated. Investors should budget normal turnover but not chronic empty units.

Is rental property easy to operate in Winston-Salem, NC?

Winston-Salem, NC falls under NC landlord-tenant law, which is landlord-friendly. That backdrop makes day-to-day property management reasonable.

Does a duplex house hack pencil in Winston-Salem, NC?

Winston-Salem, NC offers a challenging house-hacking opportunity. Small multifamily or rent-by-the-room plays can pair well with the $1,221/mo rent level.

What monthly rent should investors expect in Winston-Salem, NC?

Rent in Winston-Salem, NC is around $1,221/mo. The resulting rent-to-value relationship with $175K pricing is reasonable for most investor models.

You know 27105 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

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How 27105 ranks in Winston-Salem, NC

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Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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