Real Estate Investing in Waxhaw, North Carolina (28173)

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

Union County • Population: 63,503 • Data updated: September 2026

☆ Watch this market Free account

Should you buy in 28173 (Waxhaw, NC)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
MIXED
Grade C (68/100)

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

📈 For Investors
MIXED
3.0 / 5 (47/100)

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

⚠️ Risks to Know
CLEAN

No major risk flags on the data we track.

What’s happening in Waxhaw, NC (28173)?

Click any question — our AI will research it live from the web and show you sources.

✨ Live AI + Web Search
Want to ask your own questions? Upgrade to Pro for unlimited custom queries.
3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

3.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

3.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $704,610
Avg Monthly Rent $2,620
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $144,544
% Renters 11.0%

Market Analysis: 28173 Waxhaw

This part of Union County is not an easy win. The 28173 ZIP reports softness in key indicators, and the playbook that works in cleaner markets often stalls here.

Meanwhile, the numbers look inviting — $705K purchase price, 0.0% nominal cap — the work to hit that pro forma in 28173 is substantial and deserves full respect.

Regionally, 28173 sits on the difficult end of the NC spectrum. The a credible choice for read — for disciplined operators — is that pricing reflects the difficulty.

The demographic picture in 28173 includes headwinds that any investor should price in. Income distribution skews lower than Waxhaw averages, and tenant stability requires active management.

Distressed ZIPs reward experience. impressive returns are possible in 28173, but they flow to investors who already understand how to operate in soft markets.

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 Waxhaw:

C+ Average
Buy Confidence Score: 69/100
Affordability
10/25
Appreciation
22/25
Stability
14/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 4.9× the median income
Value Trend
Stable (+1.1%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $2,620/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.
🏠

Property Strategy for 28173

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
2BR
4.0% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
5BR
+10.1% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
3BR
$149,668/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $361,733 $1,990 4.0% +7.6% $180,867
3BR $449,005 $2,450 3.9% +9.0% $149,668
4BR $714,794 $3,110 3.1% +9.9% $178,698
5BR $903,978 +10.1% $180,796

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$745K$645K$545K$445K$345K$245KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

Rent History (with trend line)

$2,707$2,453$2,199$1,945$1,691$1,438Jul 2016Jul 2021Jul 2026

📊 How Does 28173 Compare?

Metric 28173 Waxhaw North Carolina
Home Value $704,610 $704,610 $330,565
5-Year CAGR 6.2% 6.2% 7.8%
Avg Rent $2,620 $2,620 -
Cap Rate 2.9% 2.9% -
💡 Why Invest in 28173? Click to expand

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

📊 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.
Open the Market Finder →
Free to search · investor plans from $19/mo

Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 28173 (Waxhaw, NC). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

Do you own or manage rentals in ZIP 28173 (Waxhaw, NC)?

~25 seconds · no account needed · your report is anonymous

Investability
Good
Cap Rate
2.9%
Low
5yr Growth
+6.2%
Strong

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $704,610
Monthly Rent $2,620
Price-to-Rent 22.4:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 4.5%
Cap Rate 2.9%
5-Year IRR 9.1%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +1.1% ▲
3-Year CAGR +3.0% ▲
5-Year CAGR +6.2% ▲
10-Year CAGR +6.8% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year +9.8% ▲
3-Year CAGR +4.4% ▲
5-Year CAGR +5.6% ▲
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 2.9%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (2.9%). 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
4.0%
Low risk
Landlord Climate
4.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+6.2%
Growing
Eviction process: Moderate Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 28173

Population: 63,503

💰 Median Household Income
$144,544
This area
$144,544
State
$63,256
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
11.0%
This area
11.0%
State
27.8%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
2.3%
This area
2.3%
State
-19.3%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
57.1%
This area
57.1%
State
0.5%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
40.4 years
This area
40.4 years
State
6.5 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
4.0%
This area
4.0%
State
19.4%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 75.4%
Black/African American 9.2%
Asian 7.9%
Other/Mixed 7.5%
Hispanic/Latino 4.6%
👶 Under 18
29.7%
This area
29.7%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
10.3%
This area
10.3%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
3.6%
This area
3.6%
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 28173

B Avg School Grade
12 Schools
17.2:1 Avg Class Size
$11,790 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

B Good

Marvin Elementary

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
726 Students
👨‍🏫
16.2:1 Class Size
💰
$11,790 Per Student
B Good

New Town Elementary

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
728 Students
👨‍🏫
15.9:1 Class Size
💰
$11,790 Per Student
B Good

Rea View Elementary

📚 K – 05 Elementary
👥
588 Students
👨‍🏫
16.8:1 Class Size
💰
$11,790 Per Student
B Good

Sandy Ridge Elementary

📚 K – 05 Elementary
👥
571 Students
👨‍🏫
16.4:1 Class Size
💰
$11,790 Per Student
B Good

Waxhaw Elementary

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
657 Students
👨‍🏫
15.7:1 Class Size
💰
$11,790 Per Student
B Good

Western Union Elementary

📚 K – 05 Elementary
👥
576 Students
👨‍🏫
15.7:1 Class Size
💰
$11,790 Per Student
B Good

Kensington Elementary

📚 K – 05 Elementary
👥
975 Students
👨‍🏫
17.3:1 Class Size
💰
$11,790 Per Student
B Good

South Providence

📚 06 – 12 High School
👥
110 Students
👨‍🏫
5.9:1 Class Size
💰
$11,790 Per Student
C+ Average

Marvin Ridge Middle

📚 06 – 08 Middle
👥
1,309 Students
👨‍🏫
20.5:1 Class Size
💰
$11,790 Per Student
C Below Average

Cuthbertson Middle

📚 06 – 08 Middle
👥
1,347 Students
👨‍🏫
22.3:1 Class Size
💰
$11,790 Per Student
C Below Average

Marvin Ridge High

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
2,050 Students
👨‍🏫
21.4:1 Class Size
💰
$11,790 Per Student
C Below Average

Cuthbertson High

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
1,900 Students
👨‍🏫
22.3:1 Class Size
💰
$11,790 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

2 Nearby 1,101 Off-Campus Students
D
University of South Carolina-Lancaster
2,328 students · 12.8 mi
D
Empire Beauty School-Pineville
81 students · 14.3 mi

Investor Insight: With 1,101 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.

Frequently Asked Questions

How expensive is real estate in Waxhaw, NC?

Waxhaw, NC median home values land near $705K. That is reasonable territory for investors looking at $2,620/mo-per-month rentals.

Are renters plentiful in Waxhaw, NC?

Tenant quality in Waxhaw, NC ranks as solid. Landlords generally report reliable occupancy at market rents of $2,620/mo.

What investment strategy works best in Waxhaw, NC?

For Waxhaw, NC, careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management is the standard investor playbook. The market structure makes it a reasonable default approach.

Do rentals sit vacant long in Waxhaw, NC?

Waxhaw, NC carries elevated vacancy risk. Expect consistent absorption at market rents of $2,620/mo.

Does house hacking work in Waxhaw, NC?

Waxhaw, NC offers a challenging house-hacking opportunity. Small multifamily or rent-by-the-room plays can pair well with the $2,620/mo rent level.

You know 28173 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 28173 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.

Compare Plans

How 28173 ranks in Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
🤖

AI Market Advisor

Ask questions about investing in 28173 (Waxhaw)

Loading...

Community Ratings

What people who’ve spent time here actually say. Not paid reviews.

Be the first to rate 28173 (Waxhaw, NC).

It takes 30 seconds. No signup. Your rating helps everyone who comes here after you.