For the last three years, the "Mid-Term Rental" (MTR) strategy—specifically targeting traveling nurses—has been the darling of real estate investors. The premise was simple: furnish a property, rent it for 90 days at a premium, and avoid the turnover headaches of a weekend Airbnb.

But as we enter 2026, the national headlines are screaming that the travel nursing "gold rush" is over. Hospital stipends have normalized, and pandemic-era pay rates are gone.

However, real estate is hyper-local. While the national market cools, Southeastern North Carolina is gearing up for a healthcare housing boom.

If you are an investor in New Hanover or Brunswick County, here is why the MTR strategy is not only viable but potentially your smartest play in 2026—if you pivot your target.

The "Novant Effect" is Just Beginning

The reason our region defies the national trend is simple: Expansion.

Brunswick County: Novant Health is breaking ground on massive infrastructure projects, including the new Novant Health Leland Medical Center and expansions at the Bolivia campus.

New Hanover County: The new Neuroscience Institute and continued vertical expansion at the main NHRMC campus are creating a vacuum for specialized talent.

This construction doesn't just bring nurses; it brings project managers, construction supervisors, and consultants who need housing for 6–12 months. These professionals have corporate housing allowances and zero desire to live in a hotel.

The "30-Day" Regulatory Loophole

In Wilmington and Wrightsville Beach, Short-Term Rental (STR) regulations are strict. You deal with registration, room occupancy taxes, and neighborhood pushback.

Mid-Term Rentals (30+ days) legally sidestep nearly all of these hurdles.

The Advantage: In North Carolina, a lease of 90 days or more generally exempts you from the sales and use tax (check with your CPA).

The Stability: You have one tenant for three months instead of 20 tenants for three days. This means less wear and tear, fewer cleaning fees, and no 2:00 AM calls about the WiFi password.

Pivoting Your "Avatar" for 2026

To win in 2026, you must look beyond just the bedside nurse. The "Travel Nurse" market is evolving into the "Traveling Professional" market.

The Film Industry: With the strikes behind us and production ramping up at EUE/Screen Gems, film crews need furnished housing for 3-6 months.

Remote Workers: We are seeing a "Snowbird 2.0" trend—active professionals from the Northeast coming to Hampstead or Southport for February and March to work remotely. They want a fully furnished home, not a vacation rental.

The Verdict: Viable, but Competitive

The days of putting cheap IKEA furniture in a spare bedroom and charging $3,500/month are over. To compete in 2026, your MTR needs:

• Blackout Curtains: Non-negotiable for night-shift medical staff.
• Pet Friendly: 70% of travelers travel with a dog. No pet policy = 70% fewer tenants.
• All-Inclusive Billing: One flat fee that covers rent, high-speed internet, and utilities.

At Aspyre Realty Group, we help investors run the numbers on "Long-Term Stability" vs. "Mid-Term Cash Flow." We know which neighborhoods in Leland offer the best proximity to the new medical centers and which HOAs in Wilmington allow for 90-day leases.

If you are sitting on a furnished rental and wondering if you should pivot back to a 12-month lease, let’s analyze your specific property before you sign that contract.