Real Estate Investing in Evergreen, North Carolina (28438)

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

Columbus County • Population: 1,706 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 28438 (Evergreen, NC)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
CAUTION
Grade D (51/100)

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

📈 For Investors
WEAK
2.0 / 5 (38/100)

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: 25.0% 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 Evergreen, NC (28438)?

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2.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

0.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

4.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $159,353
Avg Monthly Rent $837
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $54,095
% Renters 26.1%

Market Analysis: 28438 Evergreen

ZIP 28438 in Evergreen, NC carries a sturdy set of headwinds. Home values near $159K and rents of $837/mo sit inside a market where underwriting has to be tight.

Rent of $837/mo on a $159K basis reads well until vacancy, delinquency, and capex enter the model. The honest cap rate in 28438 sits below the stated 0.0% once reality is priced in.

In the broader NC picture, 28438 is a reminder that not every low-priced ZIP is a value-add opportunity — some are simply distressed, and the difference matters.

On the rental side, 1,706 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.

Distressed ZIPs reward experience. durable returns are possible in 28438, 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 Evergreen:

C+ Average
Buy Confidence Score: 64/100
Affordability
20/25
Appreciation
14/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Affordable
Homes cost 2.9× the median income
Value Trend
Stable (+1.6%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $837/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)

$176K$171K$167K$162K$158K$153KDec 2023Apr 2025Jul 2026

📊 How Does 28438 Compare?

Metric 28438 Evergreen North Carolina
Home Value $159,353 $159,353 $330,565
5-Year CAGR N/A N/A 7.8%
Avg Rent $837 $837 -
Cap Rate 4.1% 4.1% -
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 28438 (Evergreen, NC). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Fair
Cap Rate
4.1%
Fair

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $159,353
Monthly Rent $837
Price-to-Rent 15.9:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 6.3%
Cap Rate 4.1%
5-Year IRR 5.7%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +1.6% ▲
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
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: 4.1%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (4.1%). 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.

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⚠️ Risk Signals

Composite view of factors that can impact a ZIP's stability and your downside risk.

Vacancy
25.0%
Elevated risk
Landlord Climate
4.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
N/A
Stable
Eviction process: Moderate Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 28438

Population: 1,706

💰 Median Household Income
$54,095
This area
$54,095
State
$63,256
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
26.1%
This area
26.1%
State
27.8%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
1.5%
This area
1.5%
State
-19.3%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
5.1%
This area
5.1%
State
0.5%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
46.8 years
This area
46.8 years
State
6.5 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
25.0%
This area
25.0%
State
19.4%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 68.9%
Black/African American 29.1%
Other/Mixed 2.0%
👶 Under 18
17.2%
This area
17.2%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
29.8%
This area
29.8%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
10.4%
This area
10.4%
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

🎓 Nearby Colleges & Universities

1 Nearby 741 Off-Campus Students
C+
Southeastern Community College
1,397 students · 9.9 mi

Investor Insight: With 741 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is housing expensive in Evergreen, NC?

Evergreen, NC home values average about $159K. That price point suits investors targeting rentals with $837/mo in monthly income.

Does Evergreen, NC make sense for an investment property?

The 2.0/5 investability rating in Evergreen, NC reflects its $159K prices and $837/mo rents. Investors generally consider it a solid option within NC.

What approach is best for Evergreen, NC real estate?

The best-fit strategy in Evergreen, NC is careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management. That approach the rent and price profile of the market.

Do landlords face vacancy issues in Evergreen, NC?

Rental vacancy in Evergreen, NC is elevated. Investors should budget normal turnover but not chronic empty units.

How do landlord-tenant laws work in Evergreen, NC?

NC law landlord-friendly for landlords, and Evergreen inherits those rules. Investors should still review local ordinances for rental licensing.

You know 28438 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

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