Real Estate Investing in Star, North Carolina (27356)

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

Montgomery County • Population: 3,112 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 27356 (Star, NC)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
GOOD FIT
Grade B (72/100)

Solid choice — values are growing steadily and the market is stable enough to buy with confidence.

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

A middle-of-the-road market. Workable, but the best opportunities may be nearby ZIPs rather than this one.

⚠️ Risks to Know
1 flag
  • High vacancy: 27.1% of homes vacant — above national norms.

• Modeled rent — no observed market rent for this ZIP; the figure is estimated from HUD fair-market rent.

What’s happening in Star, NC (27356)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

3.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

4.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $149,193
Avg Monthly Rent $927
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $56,117
% Renters 36.3%

Market Analysis: 27356 Star

Not every below-median market is a bargain. Star's 27356 ZIP sits at signals that favor experienced operators who can absorb the risk $149K pricing implies.

The investment case in 27356 is resilient only for operators who understand what they are buying. A $149K median suggests accessibility, but management intensity, vacancy drift, and capex surprises are real.

ZIP 27356's metrics run below Montgomery County's averages on price growth and tenant stability. Investors who ignore that regional gap tend to relearn it the hard way.

Resident income in 27356 sits below the county median. That reality colors rent collection, vacancy, and reinvestment math in ways that outside investors often underestimate.

Experienced landlords with local relationships tend to find 27356 workable. Turnkey investors from out of state usually find the numbers do not hold up in practice.

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 Star:

B Good
Buy Confidence Score: 74/100
Affordability
20/25
Appreciation
22/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
10/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Affordable
Homes cost 2.7× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+9.9%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $927/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
Pinehurst-Southern Pines, NC Metro Area
More inventory, negotiating room for buyers
75 days
Average time to sell
Slow
9.1%
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 Pinehurst-Southern Pines, NC metro data
🏠

Property Strategy for 27356

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
4BR
6.2% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
2BR
+9.9% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
4BR
$49,601/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $123,893 $1,030 6.0% +9.9% $61,946
3BR $183,223 $1,440 5.7% +8.8% $61,074
4BR $198,405 $1,720 6.2% +6.0% $49,601

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$159K$137K$115K$93K$71K$49KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

📊 How Does 27356 Compare?

Metric 27356 Star Pinehurst-Southern Pines, NC North Carolina
Home Value $149,193 $149,193 N/A $330,565
5-Year CAGR 5.7% 5.7% N/A 7.8%
Avg Rent $927 $927 N/A -
Cap Rate 4.9% 4.9% - -
💡 Why Invest in 27356? Click to expand

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

A healthy rental market with 36% 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 27356 (Star, NC). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
4.9%
Fair
5yr Growth
+5.7%
Moderate

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $149,193
Monthly Rent $927
Price-to-Rent 13.4:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 7.5%
Cap Rate 4.9%
5-Year IRR 10.6%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +9.9% ▲
3-Year CAGR +4.8% ▲
5-Year CAGR +5.7% ▲
10-Year CAGR +8.4% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 4.9%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (4.9%). 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
27.1%
Elevated risk
Landlord Climate
4.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+5.7%
Stable
Eviction process: Moderate Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 27356

Population: 3,112

💰 Median Household Income
$56,117
This area
$56,117
State
$63,256
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
36.3%
This area
36.3%
State
27.8%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
0.8%
This area
0.8%
State
-19.3%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
22.6%
This area
22.6%
State
0.5%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
37.1 years
This area
37.1 years
State
6.5 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
27.1%
This area
27.1%
State
19.4%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 64.1%
Other/Mixed 22.4%
Hispanic/Latino 17.6%
Black/African American 13.3%
Asian 0.2%
👶 Under 18
31.7%
This area
31.7%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
17.8%
This area
17.8%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
8.7%
This area
8.7%
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 27356

B+ Avg School Grade
1 Schools
14.6:1 Avg Class Size
$15,400 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

B+ Above Average

Star Elementary

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
278 Students
👨‍🏫
14.6:1 Class Size
💰
$15,400 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

1 Nearby 456 Off-Campus Students
C+
Montgomery Community College
1,085 students · 6.5 mi

Frequently Asked Questions

Is NC a landlord-friendly state?

NC ranks as a landlord-friendly state for landlord-tenant law. Star generally follows the statewide framework, so landlords face reasonable operating rules.

Are tenants stable in Star, NC?

Expect a solid tenant pool in Star, NC. The rental market absorbs $927/mo rents without meaningful friction.

What is the median home value in Star, NC?

Star, NC median home values land near $149K. That is reasonable territory for investors looking at $927/mo-per-month rentals.

Does a duplex house hack pencil in Star, NC?

House hacking works a challenging in Star, NC. Rents of $927/mo against $149K acquisition make the strategy solid for owner-occupants.

How strong is Star, NC for real estate investors?

Our data puts Star, NC at 3.0/5 for investability. Home prices of $149K and rents around $927/mo create a solid backdrop for investor activity.

You know 27356 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 27356 compares to every other market. Investor ($19/mo) screens every U.S. ZIP by cap rate, the 1% rule, vacancy and landlord climate, and exports your shortlist.

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How 27356 ranks in Pinehurst-Southern Pines, NC

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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