Real Estate Investing in Gatesville, North Carolina (27938)

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

Gates County • Population: 1,863 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 27938 (Gatesville, NC)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
MIXED
Grade C (67/100)

Mixed signals — some positives, some negatives. Worth considering but not a slam-dunk.

📈 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: 12.2% 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 Gatesville, NC (27938)?

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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 $224,723
Avg Monthly Rent $1,683
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $58,281
% Renters 11.7%

Market Analysis: 27938 Gatesville

The 27938 ZIP in Gatesville, NC is a local-operator market. Outside capital chasing a $225K entry has to pair deep knowledge with the discount.

Stepping back, the numbers look inviting — $225K purchase price, 0.0% nominal cap — the work to hit that pro forma in 27938 is substantial and deserves full respect.

Within NC, ZIP 27938 trails on several market indicators that neighboring Gates County submarkets outperform. The gap is real and solid enough to shape underwriting.

In practical terms, 1,863 residents fill the ZIP, renter turnover runs higher than neighboring postal codes and delinquency risk is a real line item rather than a theoretical one.

The 27938 ZIP fits a narrow investor profile — hands-on, patient, and willing to accept that the cap rate on paper is not the cap rate in reality.

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 Gatesville:

C+ Average
Buy Confidence Score: 67/100
Affordability
15/25
Appreciation
22/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 3.9× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+10.2%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,683/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
BALANCED
Even conditions for buyers and sellers
Bottom Line: Mixed signals in this market. Research specific properties carefully and be prepared to negotiate.

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$234K$208K$183K$157K$131K$106KApr 2009Dec 2017Jul 2026

📊 How Does 27938 Compare?

Metric 27938 Gatesville North Carolina
Home Value $224,723 $224,723 $330,565
5-Year CAGR 6.5% 6.5% 7.8%
Avg Rent $1,683 $1,683 -
Cap Rate 5.8% 5.8% -
💡 Why Invest in 27938? Click to expand

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

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Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 27938 (Gatesville, NC). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
5.8%
Fair
5yr Growth
+6.5%
Strong

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $224,723
Monthly Rent $1,683
Price-to-Rent 11.1:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 9.0%
Cap Rate 5.8%
5-Year IRR 12.3%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +10.2% ▲
3-Year CAGR +11.2% ▲
5-Year CAGR +6.5% ▲
10-Year CAGR +6.0% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 5.8%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (5.8%). 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
12.2%
Moderate risk
Landlord Climate
4.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+6.5%
Growing
Eviction process: Moderate Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 27938

Population: 1,863

💰 Median Household Income
$58,281
This area
$58,281
State
$63,256
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
11.7%
This area
11.7%
State
27.8%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
4.3%
This area
4.3%
State
-19.3%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
6.8%
This area
6.8%
State
0.5%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
53.4 years
This area
53.4 years
State
6.5 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
12.2%
This area
12.2%
State
19.4%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 44.7%
Black/African American 44.6%
Hispanic/Latino 10.3%
Other/Mixed 10.3%
Asian 0.3%
👶 Under 18
11.1%
This area
11.1%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
18.5%
This area
18.5%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
2.1%
This area
2.1%
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 27938

A Avg School Grade
3 Schools
13.4:1 Avg Class Size
$17,711 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A+ Excellent

Central Middle School

📚 06 – 08 Middle
👥
347 Students
👨‍🏫
12.4:1 Class Size
💰
$17,711 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Gates County Senior High

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
455 Students
👨‍🏫
14.5:1 Class Size
💰
$17,711 Per Student
A Very Good

Gatesville Elementary

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
243 Students
👨‍🏫
13.1:1 Class Size
💰
$17,711 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the rental occupancy rate in Gatesville, NC?

Occupancy in Gatesville, NC runs stable with elevated vacancy. Well-priced units at $1,683/mo lease on reasonable timelines.

How should investors approach Gatesville, NC?

In Gatesville, NC the significant play is typically careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management. The combination of $225K prices and $1,683/mo rents suits that approach.

Is real estate in Gatesville, NC a good investment right now?

Gatesville, NC scores 3.0/5 for investability. Home values sit at $225K and rents near $1,683/mo, which keeps the rent-to-price ratio in reasonable territory for buy-and-hold investors.

Does house hacking work in Gatesville, NC?

House hacking works a challenging in Gatesville, NC. Rents of $1,683/mo against $225K acquisition make the strategy solid for owner-occupants.

What monthly rent should investors expect in Gatesville, NC?

Rental rates in Gatesville, NC average $1,683/mo. Tenant demand and $225K home values make the yield look reasonable by investor standards.

You know 27938 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

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How 27938 ranks in Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC

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