Whatsup with Fayetteville NC Housing Market?

Whatsup with Fayetteville NC Housing Market?

Investor · Raleigh, NC · Member since 2015 · 189 posts · 102 votes

Recently, I've been looking into other areas of NC I may want to invest in (buy and hold) as the Triangle area market seems to be getting more and more difficult to find a deal. I began looking into Fayetteville and noticed that their are 100's of SFR homes on the market for under 100K, a lot of which have been on the market for 100+ days or more. I don't know the Fayetteville area very well, but all of these houses were extremely close to the Millitary Base (which I assume is favorable to most renters). However, i searched Craigslist to investigate what monthly rents people were asking for and was surprised to find 1000's upon 1000's of SFR's for rent.

These are my assumptions about the area.  Correct me if I'm wrong.

- There is a surplus of SFR inventory in Fayetteville and people are having trouble selling their homes

- There is a large pool of potential renters who want SFR's because many are millitary families

- It looks however that there are already A TON of SFR homes for rent and available. Maybe their is even a surplus of houses available for rent, making it tougher for an investor to differentiate his property from others and get good tenants.

I would really appreciate the insight of others who have lived in this area, invested in this market, or have similar or conflicting ideas as me.  I see Fayetteville as a potential "cheaper" market than the triangle where it may be a lot easier to pick up cash flowing properties.  However, I'm confused as to what to make of the 100's of homes on the market that aren't selling.

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Fayetteville, NC · Member since 2016 · 50 posts · 29 votes
10y
The town is predominantly military. Everyone rents. Only locals buy. With that being said rent is controlled by military BAH. Rent typically stays around 900$. With taxes and other expenses you have to buy/rehab/refinance for under 80k to actually profit anything. Now finding homes in good areas that get higher rents but sell for under 80k. It's not that easy. Most homes were built in the late 80's so expect repairs. Also bah lets anyone get a real home so multi families are not that popular. Also expect high turn arounds. Soldiers move/deploy/get out and with military orders they can break a lease with no penalty. Good luck here in Fayetteville. My advice is to go with outer Fayetteville. Try to capture the locals at military pricing.
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  • Fayetteville, NC · Member since 2016 · 50 posts · 29 votes
    10y
    The town is predominantly military. Everyone rents. Only locals buy. With that being said rent is controlled by military BAH. Rent typically stays around 900$. With taxes and other expenses you have to buy/rehab/refinance for under 80k to actually profit anything. Now finding homes in good areas that get higher rents but sell for under 80k. It's not that easy. Most homes were built in the late 80's so expect repairs. Also bah lets anyone get a real home so multi families are not that popular. Also expect high turn arounds. Soldiers move/deploy/get out and with military orders they can break a lease with no penalty. Good luck here in Fayetteville. My advice is to go with outer Fayetteville. Try to capture the locals at military pricing.
  • Rental Property Investor · Roseboro, NC · Member since 2016 · 1 post · 0 votes
    10y
  • Guy with Great Hair · Austin, TX · Member since 2013 · 2k+ posts · 4k+ votes
    10y

    I invest in Fayetteville and some of my closest friends do as well. TONS of money on rentals to be made here. This is why buying is really competitive! You may see a lot for sale, but buying a deal can be tough! There is a ton of money from NY, CA and others here all trying to get down. 

    William mentioned soldiers, but active duty military accounts for only about 15% of the whole Fayetteville Metro population. It's significant, but for reference, I have never had a military tenant in 5 years. Most of my partners don't either. That said, he is right that rent is set by what the Army pays for BAH...which is HIGH! Since you can find deals fairly cheap the rent/purchase ratio is lucrative. Win/Win

    I wouldn't say there are a surplus of SFR's, in fact I know a few property manager owners well, including aaims (the biggest here) and they have tenant waiting lists for days. I haven't had a vacancy longer than 10 days, ever.

    good luck! 

  • Dawn BrenengenBusiness Member
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    Real Estate Broker · Raleigh, NC · Member since 2014 · 2k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    10y

    @Keith N.  The Fayetteville market is MUCH slower than what we have here in Raleigh.  There is a surplus of inventory.  There was a building boom when the base realignments across the US were supposed to send thousands of people to Fayetteville.  That number actually realized to be much lower, and so you have a housing glut.  And, while I have much love for my hometown, not many people actually WANT to live in Fayetteville (sorry, @Alexander Felice).   :)

    That being said, the entry point is lower, there is not much competition for cheap single family homes, and the rent to sales price ratio isn't bad.  You will probably never see much in the way of appreciation, but that's what you give up for higher cash flow. 

  • Guy with Great Hair · Austin, TX · Member since 2013 · 2k+ posts · 4k+ votes
    10y

    @Dawn Brenengen I disagree on so many points! 

    and to be clear, I absolutely LOATHE Fayetteville so it's not hometown bias. That said, the more people you talk out of investing here, the happier I'll be ;) 

  • Dawn BrenengenBusiness Member
    Moderator
    Real Estate Broker · Raleigh, NC · Member since 2014 · 2k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    10y

    @Alexander Felice I actually think it's a great area to invest in as along as your expectations are realistic.  In a military town, you are at the mercy of a single industry.  Only 15% of the population may be military, but how much more is support for the military - restaurants, car dealerships, etc.  You should have been there in the early 90's.  It was a total ghost town, and businesses shut down left and right.

    And if you hate it, why are you still there?  Come to Raleigh.  You would be amazed at what difference an hours distance can make ;)

  • Rental Property Investor · Raleigh, NC · Member since 2017 · 50 posts · 21 votes
    8y

    so, after a year since your question about Fayetteville, did go into the Fayetteville market? How did it fair? What area did you look into?

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