Real Estate Investing in Beaufort, North Carolina (28528)
Everything the listing leaves out — vacancy, rent trend, cap rate, landlord climate. All free.
Should you buy in 28528 (Beaufort, 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: 19.2% of homes vacant — above national norms.
- High price-to-rent: Price-to-rent ratio 29.9 — hard to cash-flow at these prices.
• Limited market data — this is a very small market; averages are built from few observations and can swing widely. • Modeled rent — no observed market rent for this ZIP; the figure is estimated from HUD fair-market rent.
What’s happening in Beaufort, NC (28528)?
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Market Analysis: 28528 Beaufort
The 28528 ZIP in Beaufort, NC is a local-operator market. Outside capital chasing a $355K entry has to pair deep knowledge with the discount.
If the plan assumes clean turnover, on-time rent, and low maintenance on a $355K asset, 28528 is the wrong submarket. If the plan prices in friction, the yield can still work.
Within NC, ZIP 28528 trails on several market indicators that neighboring Carteret County submarkets outperform. The gap is real and robust enough to shape underwriting.
Employment concentration in 28528 leans toward sectors with higher volatility. The demographic consequence is income fluctuation that investors need to factor into their pro forma.
Distressed ZIPs reward experience. durable returns are possible in 28528, but they flow to investors who already understand how to operate in soft markets.
Here's what matters if you're considering buying a home in Beaufort:
Market Trends
Home Value History (with trend line)
📊 How Does 28528 Compare?
| Metric | 28528 | Beaufort | Morehead City, NC | North Carolina |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Home Value | $355,110 | $388,294 | N/A | $330,565 |
| 5-Year CAGR | 4.9% | 5.2% | N/A | 7.8% |
| Avg Rent | $990 | $1,544 | N/A | - |
| Cap Rate | 2.2% | 3.0% | - | - |
Similar ZIPs Within 25 Miles
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Landlord Ground Truth
Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 28528 (Beaufort, NC). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.
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📊 Market Snapshot
| Home Value | $355,110 |
| Monthly Rent | $990 |
| Price-to-Rent | 29.9:1 |
| 1% Rule | ✗ Fails |
💰 Return Metrics
| Gross Yield | 3.4% |
| Cap Rate | 2.2% |
| 5-Year IRR | 7.1% |
📈 Home Appreciation
| 1-Year | +3.4% ▲ |
| 3-Year CAGR | +1.6% ▲ |
| 5-Year CAGR | +4.9% ▲ |
| 10-Year CAGR | +5.6% ▲ |
🏠 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 (2.2%). 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 28528
Population: 607
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 28528
Nearby Schools (1 more)
Schools in adjacent ZIP codes that may serve this area
Harkers Island Elementary
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 710 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Beaufort, NC rate as a rental market?
The 3.0/5 investability rating in Beaufort, NC reflects its $355K prices and $990/mo rents. Investors generally consider it a solid option within NC.
Are there empty rentals in Beaufort, NC?
Occupancy in Beaufort, NC runs consistent with elevated vacancy. Well-priced units at $990/mo lease on reasonable timelines.
Are rents high in Beaufort, NC?
Rent in Beaufort, NC is around $990/mo. The resulting rent-to-value relationship with $355K pricing is reasonable for most investor models.
Is Beaufort, NC landlord-friendly?
Beaufort, NC falls under NC landlord-tenant law, which is landlord-friendly. That backdrop makes day-to-day property management reasonable.
Which real estate strategy fits Beaufort, NC?
Investors usually favor careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management in Beaufort, NC. With home values at $355K and rents near $990/mo, other strategies can work but produce predictable rather than outsized returns.
You know 28528 now. You don’t know where it ranks.
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How 28528 ranks in Morehead City, NC
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