Real Estate Investing in Lake Waccamaw, North Carolina (28450)
Everything the listing leaves out — vacancy, rent trend, cap rate, landlord climate. All free.
Should you buy in 28450 (Lake Waccamaw, NC)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.
Proceed carefully. Weak appreciation or affordability makes this a harder case for most buyers.
A middle-of-the-road market. Workable, but the best opportunities may be nearby ZIPs rather than this one.
- High vacancy: 33.1% of homes vacant — above national norms.
- High price-to-rent: Price-to-rent ratio 25.3 — hard to cash-flow at these prices.
• Modeled rent — no observed market rent for this ZIP; the figure is estimated from HUD fair-market rent.
What’s happening in Lake Waccamaw, NC (28450)?
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Market Analysis: 28450 Lake Waccamaw
In practical terms, ZIP 28450 has challenges — vacancy pressure, softer price growth, and tenant stability concerns sit alongside the $325K median. It rewards specialists, not generalists.
Distressed markets are won on execution, not on spreadsheets. ZIP 28450 reflects the profile where tenant screening, deferred maintenance, and local relationships determine the outcome.
The gap between 28450 and stronger Lake Waccamaw ZIPs is not closing quickly. Investors should weight long-horizon assumptions accordingly.
Resident income in 28450 sits below the county median. That reality colors rent collection, vacancy, and reinvestment math in ways that outside investors often underestimate.
Strategy in 28450 is an operator game, not a passive one. Looking more closely, entry prices of $325K are inviting, the management lift is real and non-optional.
Here's what matters if you're considering buying a home in Lake Waccamaw:
Market Trends
Home Value History (with trend line)
📊 How Does 28450 Compare?
| Metric | 28450 | Lake Waccamaw | North Carolina |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home Value | $324,995 | $324,995 | $330,565 |
| 5-Year CAGR | 4.5% | 4.5% | 7.8% |
| Avg Rent | $1,071 | $1,071 | - |
| Cap Rate | 2.6% | 2.6% | - |
Similar ZIPs Within 25 Miles
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Landlord Ground Truth
Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 28450 (Lake Waccamaw, NC). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.
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📊 Market Snapshot
| Home Value | $324,995 |
| Monthly Rent | $1,071 |
| Price-to-Rent | 25.3:1 |
| 1% Rule | ✗ Fails |
💰 Return Metrics
| Gross Yield | 4.0% |
| Cap Rate | 2.6% |
| 5-Year IRR | 7.1% |
📈 Home Appreciation
| 1-Year | +3.1% ▲ |
| 3-Year CAGR | +2.9% ▲ |
| 5-Year CAGR | +4.5% ▲ |
| 10-Year CAGR | +5.5% ▲ |
🏠 Rent Trends
| 1-Year | N/A |
| 3-Year CAGR | N/A |
| 5-Year CAGR | N/A |
The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (2.6%). 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.
Demographics in 28450
Population: 2,256
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 28450
Schools in This ZIP Code
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 best play in Lake Waccamaw, NC?
The best-fit strategy in Lake Waccamaw, NC is careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management. That approach the rent and price profile of the market.
Can owner-occupants cash flow in Lake Waccamaw, NC?
House hacking in Lake Waccamaw, NC is a challenging. With home values around $325K and rents at $1,071/mo, owner-occupants can offset a meaningful share of PITI.
What are rental rates like in Lake Waccamaw, NC?
Lake Waccamaw, NC rentals go for roughly $1,071/mo a month. That puts gross yield in solid territory relative to $325K acquisition costs.
Is housing expensive in Lake Waccamaw, NC?
Expect median prices around $325K in Lake Waccamaw, NC. The market has run at a 0.0% 5-year CAGR, so entry costs have been even-keeled.
How quickly do rentals get leased in Lake Waccamaw, NC?
Lake Waccamaw, NC sees elevated vacancy, which is reasonable relative to the broader NC rental market.
You know 28450 now. You don’t know where it ranks.
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