Real Estate Investing in Salemburg, North Carolina (28385)

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

Sampson County • Population: 2,492 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 28385 (Salemburg, NC)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

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

Solid choice — stable market with a reasonable entry point and good rental backup if you ever need to move.

📈 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
1 flag
  • High vacancy: 25.1% 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 Salemburg, NC (28385)?

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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 $143,017
Avg Monthly Rent $891
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $69,240
% Renters 12.5%

Market Analysis: 28385 Salemburg

Investors eyeing 28385 need to respect the fundamentals at play. Home values of $143K come alongside slower price movement and elevated management overhead.

The investment case in 28385 is substantial only for operators who understand what they are buying. A $143K median suggests accessibility, but management intensity, vacancy drift, and capex surprises are real.

In the broader NC picture, 28385 is a reminder that not every low-priced ZIP is a value-add opportunity — some are simply distressed, and the difference matters.

From a cash-flow lens, 2,492 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.

New investors are better served looking at Salemburg's stable or hybrid ZIPs before stepping into 28385. The learning curve here is expensive when the lesson is wrong.

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 Salemburg:

B Good
Buy Confidence Score: 73/100
Affordability
25/25
Appreciation
18/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Affordable
Homes cost 2.1× the median income
Value Trend
Stable (+0.2%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $891/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 28385

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
2BR
6.1% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
3BR
+7.6% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
2BR
$58,315/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $116,631 $990 6.1% +5.8% $58,315
3BR $202,887 $1,200 4.3% +7.6% $67,629
4BR $304,376 $1,410 3.3% +6.0% $76,094

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$149K$136K$124K$111K$99K$86KFeb 2019Nov 2022Jul 2026

📊 How Does 28385 Compare?

Metric 28385 Salemburg North Carolina
Home Value $143,017 $143,017 $330,565
5-Year CAGR 4.5% 4.5% 7.8%
Avg Rent $891 $891 -
Cap Rate 4.9% 4.9% -
💡 Why Invest in 28385? 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 →
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Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 28385 (Salemburg, NC). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
4.9%
Fair
5yr Growth
+4.5%
Moderate

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $143,017
Monthly Rent $891
Price-to-Rent 13.4:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 7.5%
Cap Rate 4.9%
5-Year IRR 9.4%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +0.2% ▲
3-Year CAGR +2.3% ▲
5-Year CAGR +4.5% ▲
10-Year CAGR N/A

🏠 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
25.1%
Elevated risk
Landlord Climate
4.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+4.5%
Stable
Eviction process: Moderate Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 28385

Population: 2,492

💰 Median Household Income
$69,240
This area
$69,240
State
$63,256
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
12.5%
This area
12.5%
State
27.8%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
0.0%
This area
0.0%
State
-19.3%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
15.2%
This area
15.2%
State
0.5%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
48.5 years
This area
48.5 years
State
6.5 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
25.1%
This area
25.1%
State
19.4%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 57.0%
Black/African American 25.3%
Other/Mixed 17.7%
Hispanic/Latino 14.8%
👶 Under 18
12.5%
This area
12.5%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
16.8%
This area
16.8%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
8.3%
This area
8.3%
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 28385

B Avg School Grade
2 Schools
15.3:1 Avg Class Size
$13,220 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

B Good

Lakewood High

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
481 Students
👨‍🏫
15.1:1 Class Size
💰
$13,220 Per Student
B Good

Salemburg Elementary

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
475 Students
👨‍🏫
15.6:1 Class Size
💰
$13,220 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 411 Off-Campus Students
C
Sampson Community College
1,680 students · 8.8 mi

Frequently Asked Questions

What are rental rates like in Salemburg, NC?

Rental rates in Salemburg, NC average $891/mo. Tenant demand and $143K home values make the yield look reasonable by investor standards.

How strict are landlord regulations in Salemburg, NC?

Salemburg, NC operates under NC law, which is landlord-friendly overall for landlords. Expect even-keeled treatment in typical lease and eviction cases.

What is the rental occupancy rate in Salemburg, NC?

Salemburg, NC vacancy trends elevated. Investors running standard buy-and-hold plays see reasonable downtime between tenants.

Is it easy to find good tenants in Salemburg, NC?

The renter base in Salemburg, NC is reasonable for the $891/mo price point. Screening well and pricing to market typically yields stable tenants.

Is Salemburg, NC a smart market for rental property?

The 3.0/5 investability rating in Salemburg, NC reflects its $143K prices and $891/mo rents. Investors generally consider it a solid option within NC.

You know 28385 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 28385 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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