Real Estate Investing in Atlantic Beach, North Carolina (28512)

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

Carteret • Population: 3,452 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 28512 (Atlantic Beach, NC)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
CAUTION
Grade D (41/100)

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
2 flags
  • High vacancy: 80.7% of homes vacant — above national norms.
  • High price-to-rent: Price-to-rent ratio 36.5 — hard to cash-flow at these prices.

What’s happening in Atlantic Beach, NC (28512)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

3.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

3.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $612,722
Avg Monthly Rent $1,400
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $72,500
% Renters 19.6%

Market Analysis: 28512 Atlantic Beach

The 28512 ZIP covers a section of Atlantic Beach that demands careful diligence. Prices near $613K look accessible, but the work to make a deal cash flow is real.

For an experienced owner, 28512 can be a an appealing option for hunting ground — but the discount at $613K reflects genuine risk that outside investors often underestimate.

ZIP 28512's metrics run below Carteret's averages on price growth and tenant stability. Investors who ignore that regional gap tend to relearn it the hard way.

Resident income in 28512 sits below the county median. That reality colors rent collection, vacancy, and reinvestment math in ways that outside investors often underestimate.

Distressed ZIPs reward experience. resilient returns are possible in 28512, 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 Atlantic Beach:

C Below Average
Buy Confidence Score: 52/100
Affordability
0/25
Appreciation
22/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Expensive
Homes cost 8.5× the median income
Value Trend
Stable (+2.3%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,400/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 28512

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
1BR
3.3% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
5BR
+11.3% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
1BR
$192,783/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
1BR $192,783 $890 3.3% +9.7% $192,783
2BR $474,404 $1,170 1.8% +9.6% $237,202
3BR $664,833 $1,500 1.6% +9.0% $221,611
4BR $984,022 $1,920 1.4% +9.8% $246,005
5BR $1,570,306 +11.3% $314,061

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$639K$566K$493K$420K$346K$273KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

Rent History (with trend line)

No data available

📊 How Does 28512 Compare?

Metric 28512 Atlantic Beach North Carolina
Home Value $612,722 $612,722 $330,565
5-Year CAGR 5.3% 5.3% 7.8%
Avg Rent $1,400 $1,400 -
Cap Rate 1.8% 1.8% -
💡 Why Invest in 28512? 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 28512 (Atlantic Beach, NC). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
1.8%
Low
5yr Growth
+5.3%
Moderate

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $612,722
Monthly Rent $1,400
Price-to-Rent 36.5:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 2.7%
Cap Rate 1.8%
5-Year IRR 7.1%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +2.3% ▲
3-Year CAGR +1.0% ▲
5-Year CAGR +5.3% ▲
10-Year CAGR +6.8% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 1.8%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (1.8%). 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
80.7%
Elevated risk
Landlord Climate
4.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+5.3%
Stable
Eviction process: Moderate Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 28512

Population: 3,452

💰 Median Household Income
$72,500
This area
$72,500
State
$63,256
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
19.6%
This area
19.6%
State
27.8%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
1.3%
This area
1.3%
State
-19.3%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
54.1%
This area
54.1%
State
0.5%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
61.5 years
This area
61.5 years
State
6.5 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
80.7%
This area
80.7%
State
19.4%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 95.3%
Other/Mixed 3.7%
Hispanic/Latino 0.7%
Black/African American 0.6%
Asian 0.2%
👶 Under 18
11.4%
This area
11.4%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
43.2%
This area
43.2%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
4.8%
This area
4.8%
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 710 Off-Campus Students
C
Carteret Community College
1,579 students · 2.1 mi

Investor Insight: With 710 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is rental property easy to operate in Atlantic Beach, NC?

Landlord-friendliness in Atlantic Beach, NC is landlord-friendly. Eviction timelines and lease enforcement are considered reasonable by most property managers.

What is the typical rental rate in Atlantic Beach, NC?

Investors in Atlantic Beach, NC typically see rents near $1,400/mo per month against $613K home values - a solid setup for rental cash flow.

What is the typical renter like in Atlantic Beach, NC?

Atlantic Beach, NC offers a reliable renter base at the $1,400/mo rent level. Tenant turnover is reasonable for well-managed properties.

Can I house hack in Atlantic Beach, NC?

Atlantic Beach, NC offers a challenging house-hacking opportunity. Small multifamily or rent-by-the-room plays can pair well with the $1,400/mo rent level.

What is the best play in Atlantic Beach, NC?

Atlantic Beach, NC investors pursuing careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management. The underlying economics ($613K prices, $1,400/mo rents) make it a reasonable choice.

You know 28512 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

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