Buying a home in South Eastern North Carolina is a significant financial feat, and doing it on a single income can feel daunting. With median prices in New Hanover County hovering around $450,000, many single professionals, military members, and retirees assume they are priced out of the market.

However, the "dual-income requirement" is a myth. In 2026, single buyers are one of the fastest-growing demographics in our region. The secret isn't just earning more money; it’s about strategic geography and leveraging loan programs that are specifically designed for one-income households.

The "County Line" Strategy

If you are working in Wilmington but buying on a single salary, your most powerful tool is a map. New Hanover County offers proximity to the beach and downtown, but your purchasing power stretches significantly further just across the county lines.

The Pender Pivot: Areas like Hampstead and Rocky Point offer newer construction at a lower price per square foot than Wilmington. More importantly, these areas often qualify for USDA financing (more on that below), which is a game-changer for single buyers with limited savings.

The Leland Advantage: Brunswick County continues to offer lower property taxes than New Hanover. For a single buyer, saving $100-$200 a month on taxes and insurance is equivalent to gaining $20,000 in buying power.

Financing: The USDA & NCHFA "Sweet Spot"

The biggest hurdle for single buyers is often the down payment, not the monthly payment. This is where local knowledge of loan "overlays" becomes critical.

USDA Loans (0% Down): Many buyers don't realize that "rural" loans apply to booming suburbs. Large swaths of Pender (Hampstead/Surf City mainland) and Onslow (Sneads Ferry/Richlands) are USDA-eligible. This allows you to buy with zero down payment and lower mortgage insurance rates than FHA loans.

NC Home Advantage: The NC Housing Finance Agency offers down payment assistance (up to $15,000) for first-time buyers. The income limits for these programs are generous (often up to $126,000+ depending on the county), meaning a successful single professional can still qualify for assistance that a dual-income couple might earn too much to receive.

Townhomes: The Single Buyer’s Safety Net

For a single homeowner, the "hidden" cost of ownership is time and maintenance. If you are deploying from Camp Lejeune or traveling for work, coming home to an overgrown lawn or a leaking roof is a nightmare.

We often steer single buyers toward townhome communities in Leland or near UNCW.

• Predictable Budgeting: The HOA fee replaces variable expenses (lawn care, exterior painting, roof repairs) with a fixed monthly cost, protecting your single income from surprise $5,000 repair bills.
• Insurance Stability: In a townhome, the "walls-in" (HO-6) insurance policy is significantly cheaper than a full single-family wind/hail policy, keeping your Debt-to-Income (DTI) ratio healthy.

Your Next Step

Buying on one income leaves less margin for error, but it offers total autonomy. You don't need a partner to build equity; you need a plan that aligns your budget with the specific loan programs and neighborhoods that favor single buyers.

At Aspyre Realty Group, we are experts in listening to your unique financial situation and communicating those needs into a home search that works for you. We understand the specific income limits, zoning lines, and loan programs that can turn a single income into a solid real estate portfolio. Let’s connect to map out a strategy that fits your budget.