Investor-friendly real estate agents in Raleigh, NC
We match investors with vetted Raleigh-area agents who own rentals, run the numbers, and know the local rules. Free for investors.
Get matched in RaleighVetted investor agents across the Raleigh metro
Raleigh is a growth market, not a cash-flow market. The Raleigh-Cary metro added about 460,000 people between 2010 and 2025, and roughly 20,000 a year still move in from other parts of the US. But typical home values are about 5% below their 2022 peak and still easing, rents have been flat for a year, and at median prices a mortgaged rental loses money each month. North Carolina is a landlord-friendly state, with no local rent control and a short eviction process. Our vetted agent partner covers Raleigh and Durham, works on buy-and-hold purchases on and off the MLS, and has run a property management business.
Long-term rentals from a Realtor of 15 years who has also run a property management business for 8.
Help finding deals both on and off the MLS.
Is Raleigh worth investing in? The long-term trends
People, jobs, rents and prices for the Raleigh-Cary metro, straight from the Census Bureau, the Bureau of Labor Statistics and Zillow. Hover or tap a chart for exact values.
View data table
| Period | Value |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 1,137,383 |
| 2011 | 1,162,294 |
| 2012 | 1,188,036 |
| 2013 | 1,213,792 |
| 2014 | 1,241,605 |
| 2015 | 1,271,616 |
| 2016 | 1,304,489 |
| 2017 | 1,335,106 |
| 2018 | 1,362,797 |
| 2019 | 1,392,262 |
| 2020 | 1,417,382 |
| 2021 | 1,451,713 |
| 2022 | 1,481,995 |
| 2023 | 1,519,679 |
| 2024 | 1,558,927 |
| 2025 | 1,595,720 |
View data table
| Period | Value |
|---|---|
| 2011 | +13,059 |
| 2012 | +12,921 |
| 2013 | +13,223 |
| 2014 | +14,816 |
| 2015 | +17,284 |
| 2016 | +19,727 |
| 2017 | +17,838 |
| 2018 | +15,945 |
| 2019 | +18,080 |
| 2020 | +18,313 |
| 2021 | +26,443 |
| 2022 | +16,332 |
| 2023 | +20,228 |
| 2024 | +16,797 |
| 2025 | +19,974 |
View data table
| Period | Value |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 496,700 |
| 2011 | 506,100 |
| 2012 | 521,900 |
| 2013 | 536,800 |
| 2014 | 556,200 |
| 2015 | 576,300 |
| 2016 | 595,600 |
| 2017 | 612,400 |
| 2018 | 629,700 |
| 2019 | 645,100 |
| 2020 | 627,900 |
| 2021 | 666,400 |
| 2022 | 703,400 |
| 2023 | 729,100 |
| 2024 | 749,100 |
| 2025 | 765,100 |
View data table
| Period | Value |
|---|---|
| Dec 2015 | $1,094/mo |
| Dec 2016 | $1,120/mo |
| Dec 2017 | $1,165/mo |
| Dec 2018 | $1,208/mo |
| Dec 2019 | $1,259/mo |
| Dec 2020 | $1,304/mo |
| Dec 2021 | $1,519/mo |
| Dec 2022 | $1,615/mo |
| Dec 2023 | $1,626/mo |
| Dec 2024 | $1,634/mo |
| Dec 2025 | $1,637/mo |
| Aug 2026 | $1,675/mo |
View data table
| Period | Value |
|---|---|
| Dec 2010 | $207,374 |
| Dec 2011 | $196,958 |
| Dec 2012 | $200,068 |
| Dec 2013 | $210,361 |
| Dec 2014 | $220,010 |
| Dec 2015 | $235,783 |
| Dec 2016 | $251,432 |
| Dec 2017 | $265,729 |
| Dec 2018 | $280,205 |
| Dec 2019 | $292,523 |
| Dec 2020 | $315,638 |
| Dec 2021 | $392,402 |
| Dec 2022 | $440,763 |
| Dec 2023 | $442,713 |
| Dec 2024 | $448,203 |
| Dec 2025 | $436,432 |
| Aug 2026 | $431,269 |
View data table
| Period | Value |
|---|---|
| Dec 2015 | 18.0× |
| Dec 2016 | 18.7× |
| Dec 2017 | 19.0× |
| Dec 2018 | 19.3× |
| Dec 2019 | 19.4× |
| Dec 2020 | 20.2× |
| Dec 2021 | 21.5× |
| Dec 2022 | 22.7× |
| Dec 2023 | 22.7× |
| Dec 2024 | 22.9× |
| Dec 2025 | 22.2× |
| Aug 2026 | 21.5× |
Data retrieved October 15, 2026. Figures cover the Raleigh-Cary metro area.
The numbers and rules that matter in Raleigh
Zillow Home Value Index, Raleigh-Cary metro, Aug 2026 (−1.8% YoY).
Zillow Observed Rent Index, all home types, Aug 2026 (+0.8% YoY). Single-family 3-beds rent higher.
Typical rent ÷ typical home value. Well under the 1% rule; plan on cash flow from buying right, not from rents.
Over the past year: home values −1.8%, rents +0.8%.
North Carolina landlord-tenant basics
North Carolina is one of the more landlord-friendly states. Most of the rules are in Chapter 42 of the General Statutes. The points investors ask about most:
- No rent control: state law bars cities and counties from regulating the rent charged on private residential rental property (G.S. 42-14.1). There's no statewide cap on increases either.
- Nonpayment: if the lease has no clause ending it for nonpayment, the landlord must make a written demand for the rent and wait 10 days before the lease can be ended (G.S. 42-3). Most written leases include such a clause. Evictions (summary ejectment) are heard in small claims court before a magistrate.
- Security deposit cap (G.S. 42-51): 2 weeks' rent for a week-to-week tenancy, 1½ months' rent for month-to-month, and 2 months' rent for longer terms.
- Deposit return (G.S. 42-52): refund the deposit, with an itemized list of any deductions, within 30 days after the tenancy ends and the tenant gives back possession. If you can't settle the final amount in time, send an interim accounting within 30 days and a final one within 60. Normal wear and tear can't be deducted.
- Late fees (G.S. 42-46): only after rent is 5 days late, and capped at $15 or 5% of the monthly rent, whichever is greater.
- North Carolina has no statute setting a notice period for landlord entry. Put an entry clause in your lease.
Short-term rental rules in Raleigh
Raleigh treats short-term rentals as a zoning use. A short-term rental is a dwelling rented for 30 days or less at a time, and it's allowed, with conditions, in the R-1, R-2, R-4, R-6, R-10, RX, OX, NX, CX and DX districts.
- You need a zoning permit from the City of Raleigh before you operate, and the permit number has to be shown on your listings.
- Keep a record of every short-term rental guest for three years.
- In buildings with several units, no more than 25% of the units, or two units, whichever is greater, can be short-term rentals.
- Stays of less than 90 consecutive days owe North Carolina and Wake County sales tax plus Wake County's 6% room occupancy tax. Airbnb and similar platforms collect these on bookings made through them; on direct bookings you register and remit them yourself.
- HOAs, covenants and your lender can still restrict short-term rentals. Check them before you buy. Durham, Cary and other nearby towns have their own rules.
Last reviewed October 13, 2026. General information, not legal or tax advice — rules and fees change, so confirm with the city, the statute, or your attorney before you rely on them. Sources: Zillow Research data (ZHVI, ZORI) — Raleigh-Cary metro; N.C. Gen. Stat. Chapter 42 — Landlord and Tenant; N.C. Gen. Stat. § 42-14.1 — No local rent control; N.C. Gen. Stat. Chapter 42, Article 6 — Tenant Security Deposit Act; City of Raleigh — Short-term rentals; Raleigh UDO § 6.4.6 — Overnight lodging; Wake County — Room occupancy tax.
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Questions investors ask about Raleigh
Which areas does your Raleigh agent cover?
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Our vetted agent partner here covers Raleigh and Durham, and also works in Charlotte, Greensboro, Winston-Salem and Asheville. They work on buy-and-hold purchases, on and off the MLS. Tell us your strategy, budget and target area and we'll match you.
Is Raleigh a good market for cash-flowing rentals?
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Not at median prices with a mortgage. Typical rent-to-price in the Raleigh-Cary metro is about 0.39% a month, far below the 1% rule, and rents have been flat for the past year. Raleigh is a population and job growth market. Investors who do well here are buying for long-term appreciation, buying below median and adding value, or putting more cash down.
Is North Carolina landlord-friendly?
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Yes, more than most states. Local rent control is banned by state law, there's no cap on rent increases, nonpayment cases go to small claims court, with at most a 10-day written demand first, and deposits are capped at 2 months' rent on leases longer than month-to-month.
Do I need a permit to run an Airbnb in Raleigh?
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Yes. Raleigh requires a zoning permit for short-term rentals (stays of 30 days or less), allows them only in certain zoning districts, and requires the permit number on your listings. You also owe sales tax and Wake County's 6% occupancy tax; Airbnb collects these on its bookings.
Can I invest in Raleigh if I live out of state?
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Yes. Pick an agent who will walk properties for you, attend inspections, and connect you with a property manager. Our partner here has run a property management business for 8 years.
What does it cost to get matched with a Raleigh agent?
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Nothing. Agents Invest is free for investors. The agent pays us a referral fee only if you close a deal with them.
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