Real Estate Investing in Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina (28480)
Everything the listing leaves out — vacancy, rent trend, cap rate, landlord climate. All free.
Should you buy in 28480 (Wrightsville Beach, 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: 53.0% of homes vacant — above national norms.
- High price-to-rent: Price-to-rent ratio 38.0 — hard to cash-flow at these prices.
What’s happening in Wrightsville Beach, NC (28480)?
Click any question — our AI will research it live from the web and show you sources.
Market Analysis: 28480 Wrightsville Beach
On balance, ZIP 28480 has challenges — vacancy pressure, softer price growth, and tenant stability concerns sit alongside the $1.7M median. It rewards specialists, not generalists.
Distressed does not mean uninvestable. It means the margin for error is thinner. ZIP 28480 rewards the prepared, punishes the overconfident, and leaves the math unchanged either way.
ZIP 28480's metrics run below New Hanover County's averages on price growth and tenant stability. Investors who ignore that regional gap tend to relearn it the hard way.
Who lives in 28480 is part of why the ZIP is priced as it is. The demographic profile requires hands-on management, tight screening, and local knowledge.
seems 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.
Here's what matters if you're considering buying a home in Wrightsville Beach:
Property Strategy for 28480
Which property type performs best in this market?
📊 Compare All Property Types →
| Type | Median Value | Est. Rent | Cap Rate | 5yr CAGR | $/Bedroom |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1BR | $514,843 | $2,250 | 3.1% | +10.3% | $514,843 |
| 2BR | $1,101,454 | $2,470 | 1.6% | +9.8% | $550,727 |
| 3BR | $1,631,853 | $3,240 | 1.4% | +11.2% | $543,951 |
| 4BR | $2,435,247 | $3,450 | 1.0% | +11.1% | $608,812 |
| 5BR | $3,796,739 | — | — | +14.1% | $759,348 |
Market Trends
Home Value History (with trend line)
Rent History (with trend line)
📊 How Does 28480 Compare?
| Metric | 28480 | Wrightsville Beach | Wilmington, NC | North Carolina |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Home Value | $1,748,209 | $1,748,209 | N/A | $330,565 |
| 5-Year CAGR | 8.5% | 8.5% | N/A | 7.8% |
| Avg Rent | $3,838 | $3,838 | N/A | - |
| Cap Rate | 1.7% | 1.7% | - | - |
Similar ZIPs Within 25 Miles
Compare other nearby markets to see if a neighbor offers a better fit.
Landlord Ground Truth
Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 28480 (Wrightsville Beach, NC). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.
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Property managers serving New Hanover County
Manage rentals here? List your business →A1 Property Management specializes in professionally managed vacation rentals in Carolina Beach and Kure Beach on Pleasure Island. summary from their website
CAMS (Community Association Management Services) provides management and financial services for community associations, including onboarding and transition support. summary from their website
Wilmington, NC property management company offering services for homes and apartment communities, aiming to reduce owner stress and maximize earnings. summary from their website
Listings are shown for convenience — Repit doesn’t endorse or vet these companies. Ratings shown come only from email-verified visitors.
📊 Market Snapshot
| Home Value | $1,748,209 |
| Monthly Rent | $3,838 |
| Price-to-Rent | 38.0:1 |
| 1% Rule | ✗ Fails |
💰 Return Metrics
| Gross Yield | 2.6% |
| Cap Rate | 1.7% |
| 5-Year IRR | 10.2% |
📈 Home Appreciation
| 1-Year | +12.3% ▲ |
| 3-Year CAGR | +5.8% ▲ |
| 5-Year CAGR | +8.5% ▲ |
| 10-Year CAGR | +8.4% ▲ |
🏠 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 (1.7%). 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 28480
Population: 2,727
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 28480
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.
🎓 Nearby Colleges & Universities
Investor Insight: With 8,100 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should investors worry about vacancy in Wrightsville Beach, NC?
Vacancy in Wrightsville Beach, NC is elevated, which keeps landlord downtime on reasonable timelines. Most properties lease within the standard window at $3,838/mo.
How strong is tenant demand in Wrightsville Beach, NC?
Working renters make up the core of the Wrightsville Beach, NC tenant base. The pool is reasonable for investors targeting long-term holds.
What monthly rent should investors expect in Wrightsville Beach, NC?
Average rent in Wrightsville Beach, NC is approximately $3,838/mo per month. Against $1.7M home values that yields a reasonable rent-to-price ratio.
Does Wrightsville Beach, NC favor landlords or tenants?
Wrightsville Beach, NC operates under NC law, which is landlord-friendly overall for landlords. Expect measured treatment in typical lease and eviction cases.
What is the median home value in Wrightsville Beach, NC?
Typical homes in Wrightsville Beach, NC go for around $1.7M. The 5-year CAGR of 0.0% consistent price movement.
You know 28480 now. You don’t know where it ranks.
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How 28480 ranks in Wilmington, NC
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