Real Estate Investing in Asheville, North Carolina (28806)

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

Buncombe County • Population: 45,644 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 28806 (Asheville, NC)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
WEAK FIT
Grade F (38/100)

Multiple negative signals. Better options likely exist nearby.

📈 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
1 flag
  • High vacancy: 18.4% of homes vacant — above national norms.

What’s happening in Asheville, NC (28806)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

2.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

3.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $401,820
Avg Monthly Rent $1,778
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $59,875
% Renters 42.6%

Market Analysis: 28806 Asheville

Not every below-median market is a bargain. Asheville's 28806 ZIP registers signals that favor experienced operators who can absorb the risk $402K pricing implies.

If the plan assumes clean turnover, on-time rent, and low maintenance on a $402K asset, 28806 is the wrong submarket. If the plan prices in friction, the yield can still work.

In the broader NC picture, 28806 is a reminder that not every low-priced ZIP is a value-add opportunity — some are simply distressed, and the difference matters.

Employment concentration in 28806 leans toward sectors with higher volatility. The demographic consequence is income fluctuation that investors need to factor into their pro forma.

The right play in 28806 usually involves deep tenant screening, aggressive delinquency response, and a conservative capex buffer. Anything less, and the discount can turn into a trap.

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 Asheville:

C Below Average
Buy Confidence Score: 57/100
Affordability
5/25
Appreciation
18/25
Stability
13/20
Timing
6/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Expensive
Homes cost 6.7× the median income
Value Trend
Declining (-2.0%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,778/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
WARM
Seller-favorable conditions, steady activity
Bottom Line: This market may be challenging for buyers. Consider your timing and budget carefully.
☀️
WARM MARKET
Asheville, NC Metro Area
Seller-favorable conditions, steady activity
0 days
Average time to sell
Very Fast
8.0%
Listings with price cuts
Few Cuts
0.0%
Sale price vs asking
Below Ask
0.0%
Income needed for mortgage
Affordable
📅 Market conditions as of August 29, 2026 — updated weekly from Asheville, NC metro data
🏠

Property Strategy for 28806

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
4BR
3.5% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
5BR
+8.1% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
4BR
$138,353/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
1BR $302,902 $1,460 3.5% +7.7% $302,902
2BR $341,173 $1,600 3.4% +7.0% $170,587
3BR $420,882 $1,950 3.3% +6.8% $140,294
4BR $553,410 $2,680 3.5% +7.9% $138,353
5BR $736,909 +8.1% $147,382

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$443K$382K$322K$261K$200K$140KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

Rent History (with trend line)

$2,028$1,844$1,660$1,476$1,292$1,108Jan 2018May 2022Jul 2026

📊 How Does 28806 Compare?

Metric 28806 Asheville Asheville, NC North Carolina
Home Value $401,820 $144,381 N/A $330,565
5-Year CAGR 3.6% 3.8% N/A 7.8%
Avg Rent $1,778 $1,667 N/A -
Cap Rate 3.5% 2.7% - -
💡 Why Invest in 28806? Click to expand

With a 3/5 investability rating, this ZIP shows solid fundamentals for buy-and-hold investors.

A healthy rental market with 43% renter-occupied households ensures tenant availability.

📊 See where this ZIP ranks in our Best-of lists →
A great house in the wrong ZIP is still a bad deal — screen every market by cash flow & cap rate.
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Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 28806 (Asheville, NC). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
3.5%
Low
5yr Growth
+3.6%
Moderate

📉 Market Crash Risk Index

Based on Asheville, NC metro

2/10
Low Risk
Price YoY
0/3
N/A
Rent YoY
0/2
N/A
Below List
2/3
72%
Days Pending
0/2
0 days

View all metro crash risk rankings →

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $401,820
Monthly Rent $1,778
Price-to-Rent 18.8:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 5.3%
Cap Rate 3.5%
5-Year IRR 7.0%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year -2.0% ▼
3-Year CAGR +0.1% ▲
5-Year CAGR +3.6% ▲
10-Year CAGR +6.4% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year -8.6% ▼
3-Year CAGR -1.3% ▼
5-Year CAGR +3.3% ▲
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 3.5%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (3.5%). 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
18.4%
Elevated risk
Landlord Climate
4.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+3.6%
Stable
Eviction process: Moderate Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 28806

Population: 45,644

💰 Median Household Income
$59,875
This area
$59,875
State
$63,256
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
42.6%
This area
42.6%
State
27.8%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
2.9%
This area
2.9%
State
-19.3%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
43.2%
This area
43.2%
State
0.5%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
36.9 years
This area
36.9 years
State
6.5 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
18.4%
This area
18.4%
State
19.4%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 82.5%
Other/Mixed 10.0%
Hispanic/Latino 6.3%
Black/African American 5.5%
Asian 1.9%
👶 Under 18
19.8%
This area
19.8%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
13.3%
This area
13.3%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
5.9%
This area
5.9%
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

🎓 Schools in 28806

B+ Avg School Grade
14 Schools
13.3:1 Avg Class Size
$15,681 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A Very Good

Emma Elementary

📚 K – 04 Elementary
👥
270 Students
👨‍🏫
10.9:1 Class Size
💰
$14,785 Per Student
A Very Good

Hall Fletcher Elementary

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
290 Students
👨‍🏫
11.2:1 Class Size
💰
$16,748 Per Student
A Very Good

Lucy S. Herring Elementary

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
270 Students
👨‍🏫
10.6:1 Class Size
💰
$16,748 Per Student
A Very Good

Asheville PEAK Academy

📚 K – 05 Elementary Charter
👥
168 Students
👨‍🏫
14.0:1 Class Size
💰
$28,099 Per Student
A Very Good

Eblen Intermediate

📚 05 – 06 School
👥
550 Students
👨‍🏫
13.7:1 Class Size
💰
$14,785 Per Student
A Very Good

Erwin Middle

📚 07 – 08 Middle
👥
536 Students
👨‍🏫
12.6:1 Class Size
💰
$14,785 Per Student
A Very Good

Sand Hill-Venable Elem

📚 Pre-K – 04 Elementary
👥
539 Students
👨‍🏫
13.7:1 Class Size
💰
$14,785 Per Student
A Very Good

West Buncombe Elementary

📚 K – 04 Elementary
👥
578 Students
👨‍🏫
13.6:1 Class Size
💰
$14,785 Per Student
A Very Good

Johnston Elementary

📚 Pre-K – 04 Elementary
👥
184 Students
👨‍🏫
10.0:1 Class Size
💰
$14,785 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Erwin High

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
1,052 Students
👨‍🏫
14.9:1 Class Size
💰
$14,785 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Francine Delany New School

📚 K – 08 School Charter
👥
193 Students
👨‍🏫
13.7:1 Class Size
💰
$14,917 Per Student
B+ Above Average

The Franklin School of Innovation

📚 05 – 12 High School Charter
👥
706 Students
👨‍🏫
13.3:1 Class Size
💰
$13,160 Per Student
B Good

Nesbitt Discovery Academy

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
379 Students
👨‍🏫
20.9:1 Class Size
💰
$14,785 Per Student
B Good

IC Imagine

📚 K – 12 K-12 Charter
👥
1,218 Students
👨‍🏫
13.0:1 Class Size
💰
$11,584 Per Student
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

7 Nearby 3,227 Off-Campus Students
C
Carolina College of Hair Design Inc
46 students · 1.1 mi
C
Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College
6,297 students · 3.3 mi
D
Daoist Traditions College of Chinese Medical Arts
91 students · 3.5 mi
C+
Center for Massage
57 students · 3.8 mi
C+
University of North Carolina Asheville
2,925 students · 4.2 mi
D
Galen Health Institutes-Asheville
183 students · 6.8 mi
C
Warren Wilson College
797 students · 10.0 mi

Investor Insight: With 3,227 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Asheville, NC a good place for real estate investing?

Yes - Asheville, NC a 3.0/5 investability score. With $402K home prices against $1,778/mo monthly rent, the market delivers a reasonable entry point for new investors.

What are vacancy rates like in Asheville, NC?

Vacancy in Asheville, NC is elevated, which keeps landlord downtime on reasonable timelines. Most properties lease within the standard window at $1,778/mo.

How much does a house cost in Asheville, NC?

In Asheville, NC the median home value sits at $402K. Against the broader NC market, that reads as reasonable for most investors.

How do landlord-tenant laws work in Asheville, NC?

NC ranks as a landlord-friendly state for landlord-tenant law. Asheville generally follows the statewide framework, so landlords face reasonable operating rules.

What is the average monthly rent in Asheville, NC?

Rent in Asheville, NC is around $1,778/mo. The resulting rent-to-value relationship with $402K pricing is reasonable for most investor models.

You know 28806 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

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How 28806 ranks in Asheville, NC

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