Real Estate Investing in Ash, North Carolina (28420)

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

Brunswick County • Population: 2,697 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 28420 (Ash, NC)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
CAUTION
Grade D (45/100)

Proceed carefully. Weak appreciation or affordability makes this a harder case for most buyers.

📈 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
1 flag
  • High vacancy: 18.2% 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 Ash, NC (28420)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

2.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

3.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $273,371
Avg Monthly Rent $1,080
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $51,364
% Renters 28.1%

Market Analysis: 28420 Ash

ZIP 28420 inside Brunswick County looks affordable on the surface — median value of $273K — but the discount exists for reasons that a careful buyer should understand before committing.

Meanwhile, the numbers look inviting — $273K purchase price, 0.0% nominal cap — the work to hit that pro forma in 28420 is substantial and deserves full respect.

Statewide comparisons place 28420 among NC's softer markets. That context does not make the ZIP uninvestable, but it does raise the bar for due diligence.

A resilient renter share of 28% in 28420 is not, on its own, a problem — but paired with below-average income and high mobility, it changes the operating playbook.

appears to 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 Ash:

C Below Average
Buy Confidence Score: 54/100
Affordability
10/25
Appreciation
14/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Expensive
Homes cost 5.3× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+7.6%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,080/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
BALANCED
Even conditions for buyers and sellers
Bottom Line: This market may be challenging for buyers. Consider your timing and budget carefully.
🏠

Property Strategy for 28420

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
3BR
4.9% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
2BR
+6.0% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
3BR
$82,583/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $191,932 $1,200 4.5% +6.0% $95,966
3BR $247,749 $1,670 4.9% +5.0% $82,583

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$292K$256K$219K$183K$147K$110KApr 2007Dec 2016Jul 2026

📊 How Does 28420 Compare?

Metric 28420 Ash North Carolina
Home Value $273,371 $273,371 $330,565
5-Year CAGR 2.9% 2.9% 7.8%
Avg Rent $1,080 $1,080 -
Cap Rate 3.1% 3.1% -
💡 Why Invest in 28420? 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.
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Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 28420 (Ash, NC). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
3.1%
Low
5yr Growth
+2.9%
Slow

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $273,371
Monthly Rent $1,080
Price-to-Rent 21.1:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 4.7%
Cap Rate 3.1%
5-Year IRR 6.0%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +7.6% ▲
3-Year CAGR +2.7% ▲
5-Year CAGR +2.9% ▲
10-Year CAGR +6.3% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 3.1%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (3.1%). 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
18.2%
Elevated risk
Landlord Climate
4.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+2.9%
Stable
Eviction process: Moderate Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 28420

Population: 2,697

💰 Median Household Income
$51,364
This area
$51,364
State
$63,256
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
28.1%
This area
28.1%
State
27.8%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
1.5%
This area
1.5%
State
-19.3%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
13.3%
This area
13.3%
State
0.5%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
47.6 years
This area
47.6 years
State
6.5 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
18.2%
This area
18.2%
State
19.4%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 79.9%
Black/African American 11.0%
Other/Mixed 7.0%
Asian 2.1%
Hispanic/Latino 0.8%
👶 Under 18
18.6%
This area
18.6%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
24.6%
This area
24.6%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
2.7%
This area
2.7%
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 28420

A Avg School Grade
2 Schools
15.4:1 Avg Class Size
$14,887 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A Very Good

Jessie Mae Monroe Elementary

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
384 Students
👨‍🏫
14.4:1 Class Size
💰
$14,887 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Waccamaw

📚 K – 08 School
👥
441 Students
👨‍🏫
16.3:1 Class Size
💰
$14,887 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 767 Off-Campus Students
C
Brunswick Community College
1,845 students · 13.5 mi

Investor Insight: With 767 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Ash, NC rates 3.0/5 for investability. With median values at $273K and rents near $1,080/mo, the market offers reasonable fundamentals for rental investors.

How do home values compare in Ash, NC?

Homes in Ash, NC typically sell near $273K. Prices have moved at a 0.0% 5-year CAGR, which reliable long-term demand.

What monthly rent should investors expect in Ash, NC?

Average rent in Ash, NC is approximately $1,080/mo per month. Against $273K home values that yields a reasonable rent-to-price ratio.

What kind of tenants rent in Ash, NC?

Ash, NC offers a measured renter base at the $1,080/mo rent level. Tenant turnover is reasonable for well-managed properties.

Should investors worry about vacancy in Ash, NC?

Vacancy in Ash, NC is elevated, which keeps landlord downtime on reasonable timelines. Most properties lease within the standard window at $1,080/mo.

You know 28420 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

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How 28420 ranks in Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC-NC

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Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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