If you look at a heat map of Brunswick County real estate, the red zones are predictable: Leland, Oak Island, and the immediate Highway 17 corridor. But for the savvy investor or the buyer craving acreage without isolation, the real story is happening quietly in the southwest corner: Ash and the Waccamaw communities.

Sitting just minutes from the South Carolina border, this area has long been the domain of multi-generational farms and hunting camps. However, the narrative is shifting rapidly. Ash and Waccamaw are no longer just "rural outposts"; they are becoming the strategic release valve for a county running out of affordable, buildable land.

Myth vs. Reality: What You Need to Know

The perception of Ash is often outdated. Here is the reality of the market right now.

Myth #1: “It’s too far from civilization.”
Reality: You are looking at a map, not a future DOT plan. The game-changer here is the Carolina Bays Parkway Extension. This massive infrastructure project is set to extend SC Highway 31 across the border, connecting directly to US-17 in Brunswick County. When this dirt turns to pavement, Ash will essentially become a suburb of North Myrtle Beach and a quick shot to Shallotte. Buying here now is an arbitrage play on future connectivity. You are buying "far" today to be "close" tomorrow.

Myth #2: “It’s all just raw land and trailers.”
Reality: The developers have already arrived. While you can still find 10-acre homesteads, major residential projects are actively moving through planning boards. For example, the approval of the Carolina Strand development (slated for over 1,000 homes near NC 130) signals a shift toward master-planned living in this sector. The "rural" aesthetic is remaining, but the inventory is shifting toward modern, HOA-protected subdivisions that offer predictability for resale value.

Myth #3: “Riverfront means relaxing views.”
Reality: On the Waccamaw River, it also means serious due diligence. The Waccamaw is beautiful, ancient, and ecologically rich—but it is a true river system. Unlike the Intracoastal Waterway which is managed heavily, the Waccamaw fluctuates.

Insider Tip: Do not just look at the FEMA flood map. Ask for the "flood of record" data. There are properties in Ash that are technically "Zone X" (low risk) but can be cut off from road access during extreme rain events like we saw in 2018 or 2024. You need an agent who knows which roads stay dry.

Strategic Advice for the Rural Buyer

Soil is King: In Ash, you are likely looking at septic systems, not county sewer. Before you fall in love with a 5-acre tract, get a soil scientist out there. Brunswick County’s soil varies wildly from sandy loam (good) to heavy clay/wetlands (expensive or impossible to build on).

The SC Advantage: Living in Ash gives you a unique "border life." You pay North Carolina property taxes (generally lower than many national averages) but are 15 minutes from Little River, SC, for dining, shopping, and entertainment. It is the best of both Carolinas.

Your Next Step

The window to buy "affordable acreage" in Ash is narrowing as the bulldozers for the new subdivisions warm up. Whether you are looking for a homestead to keep chickens and escape the HOA police, or you want to land-bank a lot near the future parkway, you need a strategy that accounts for soil, flood zones, and zoning changes.

At Aspyre Realty Group, we are experts in listening and communicating people's wants into homes that work for them. We know the difference between a swamp and a sanctuary.