Real Estate Investing in Scaly Mountain, North Carolina (28775)

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

Macon County • Population: 795 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 28775 (Scaly Mountain, NC)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
CAUTION
Grade D (48/100)

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
3 flags
  • High vacancy: 47.8% of homes vacant — above national norms.
  • Elevated poverty: 22.7% poverty rate — can affect rent collection.
  • High price-to-rent: Price-to-rent ratio 35.4 — 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 Scaly Mountain, NC (28775)?

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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 $474,443
Avg Monthly Rent $1,116
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $90,313
% Renters 28.7%

Market Analysis: 28775 Scaly Mountain

ZIP 28775 in Scaly Mountain, NC carries a healthy set of headwinds. Home values near $474K and rents of $1,116/mo sit inside a market where underwriting has to be tight.

Distressed does not mean uninvestable. It means the margin for error is thinner. ZIP 28775 rewards the prepared, punishes the overconfident, and leaves the math unchanged either way.

ZIP 28775's metrics run below Macon County's averages on price growth and tenant stability. Investors who ignore that regional gap tend to relearn it the hard way.

The demographic picture in 28775 includes headwinds that any investor should price in. Income distribution skews lower than Scaly Mountain averages, and tenant stability requires active management.

Distressed ZIPs reward experience. durable returns are possible in 28775, 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 Scaly Mountain:

C+ Average
Buy Confidence Score: 62/100
Affordability
10/25
Appreciation
22/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Expensive
Homes cost 5.3× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+4.2%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,116/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.
🏠

Property Strategy for 28775

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
2BR
2.5% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
3BR
+11.0% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
3BR
$173,469/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $356,477 $1,240 2.5% $178,238
3BR $520,407 $1,570 2.2% +11.0% $173,469

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$503K$443K$382K$322K$262K$201KJan 2014May 2020Jul 2026

📊 How Does 28775 Compare?

Metric 28775 Scaly Mountain North Carolina
Home Value $474,443 $474,443 $330,565
5-Year CAGR 6.5% 6.5% 7.8%
Avg Rent $1,116 $1,116 -
Cap Rate 1.8% 1.8% -
💡 Why Invest in 28775? 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 28775 (Scaly Mountain, NC). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
1.8%
Low
5yr Growth
+6.5%
Strong

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $474,443
Monthly Rent $1,116
Price-to-Rent 35.4:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 2.8%
Cap Rate 1.8%
5-Year IRR 8.3%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +4.2% ▲
3-Year CAGR +5.3% ▲
5-Year CAGR +6.5% ▲
10-Year CAGR +7.9% ▲

🏠 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
47.8%
Elevated risk
Landlord Climate
4.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+6.5%
Growing
Eviction process: Moderate Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 28775

Population: 795

💰 Median Household Income
$90,313
This area
$90,313
State
$63,256
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
28.7%
This area
28.7%
State
27.8%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
0.0%
This area
0.0%
State
-19.3%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
25.1%
This area
25.1%
State
0.5%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
38.1 years
This area
38.1 years
State
6.5 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
47.8%
This area
47.8%
State
19.4%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
Hispanic/Latino 49.8%
Other/Mixed 49.8%
White 44.8%
Asian 5.3%
👶 Under 18
31.9%
This area
31.9%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
22.2%
This area
22.2%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
22.7%
This area
22.7%
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

Frequently Asked Questions

What do rentals go for in Scaly Mountain, NC?

Average rent in Scaly Mountain, NC is approximately $1,116/mo per month. Against $474K home values that yields a reasonable rent-to-price ratio.

Are tenants stable in Scaly Mountain, NC?

Scaly Mountain, NC draws a consistent base of working renters. Demand at the $1,116/mo rent level is reasonable for standard single-family and small multi rentals.

Are homes affordable in Scaly Mountain, NC?

Scaly Mountain, NC home values average about $474K. That price point suits investors targeting rentals with $1,116/mo in monthly income.

What is the investability score for Scaly Mountain, NC?

Yes - Scaly Mountain, NC a 3.0/5 investability score. With $474K home prices against $1,116/mo monthly rent, the market delivers a reasonable entry point for new investors.

Is rental property easy to operate in Scaly Mountain, NC?

The landlord environment in Scaly Mountain, NC is landlord-friendly. Statewide rules shape most day-to-day operations for rental owners.

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