I’ve bought a lot of commercial land over the years. And I’ll tell you something that’s always true — land is the hardest asset to value because you’re pricing potential. With a building, I can look at rents, expenses, condition. With land, I’m looking at what could be built, what it would cost to build it, and who’s going to show up and lease it. A lot of assumptions.
That said, Cumberland County is in an interesting position right now. The infrastructure investments happening here — the completed I-295 loop, the I-95 widening — are opening up land parcels that weren’t viable five years ago. And the private sector investments, like American Titanium’s $1 billion facility and the Amazon fulfillment center, signal that serious companies see a future here.
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**Outer Loop Proximity**: Is your land near an Outer Loop exit? Or away from the loop? Proximity directly affects development interest and appreciation. -
**Mixed-Use Plans**: Are there plans for mixed-use or entertainment development near your property? These anchors drive land values. -
**Development Timeline**: When will Outer Loop access improve? When will utilities arrive? Timeline affects value and financing feasibility.
Where the development pressure is
| Area | What’s Driving Interest | Typical Zoning |
|---|---|---|
| I-295 interchanges | New highway access, logistics demand | Industrial, commercial |
| Cedar Creek / eastern Cumberland | I-95 access, industrial growth | Light industrial, mixed |
| Hope Mills corridor (NC-59) | Residential growth, rooftop demand | Commercial, retail |
| Ramsey Street north | Triangle spillover, US-401 corridor | Mixed commercial |
| Bragg Boulevard south (near base) | Military-driven demand | Commercial, service |
What makes land valuable here
Same things that make land valuable anywhere, but with some Fayetteville-specific twists.
Cumberland County Land Appreciation Follows the Outer Loop
Three questions about your land’s position:
- Are you near an Outer Loop exit or interchange? This is where development capital is flowing.
- Is there planned mixed-use development nearby? Anchors drive surrounding land values.
- When will your land become accessible and developable? Timeline affects current value and financing.
Zoning. Is it already zoned for what a developer wants? Rezoning in Cumberland County isn’t terrible but it adds 6-12 months. Pre-zoned land trades at a premium because developers can move faster.
Utilities. Water and sewer at the property line or nearby? That’s huge. Extension costs in rural parts of Cumberland County can be brutal. I looked at a 10-acre parcel off NC-87 that was perfect for industrial except sewer was three-quarters of a mile away. Extension estimate came back at $220K. That changes the entire math.
Topography. Flat is better. Period. Cumberland County has some flat land but also has areas with significant grade changes, flood zones along the Cape Fear River, and wetlands that limit usable acreage. I see owners pricing 15-acre parcels like all 15 acres are developable when really only 9 or 10 are. That gap kills deals.
Road access. Can trucks get in and out? Is there an existing curb cut or do you need a DOT driveway permit? In some areas of Cumberland County, NCDOT driveway permits can take months.
Related: Hold or Sell Your Commercial Property: How to Decide
The American Titanium effect
When a company announces a $1 billion, 300-job manufacturing facility in your county, it has ripple effects. Suppliers want to be nearby. Workers need housing and services. The industrial land market tightens up. We’re seeing that play out in the eastern part of Cumberland County where the titanium facility is going in.
For land owners in that area, this is a significant event. Land that was trading at $2-3/SF two years ago is getting offers at $4-5/SF. And if the project goes as planned, there’s more upside.
Should you sell or hold?
I get this question from Fayetteville-area land owners all the time. And my honest answer is — it depends on your situation and your appetite for waiting.
Land doesn’t generate income while you hold it. You’re paying taxes, maybe maintaining a fence or clearing brush. And development timelines in this market can be long. If you’ve been holding for years and you’ve got a meaningful gain, taking some or all of that off the table at today’s values is a perfectly rational move.
If you’ve got development expertise and capital, holding for a higher and better use can make sense. But most of the land owners I talk to aren’t developers. They inherited the land, or they bought it as a long-term investment, and they’re ready for the payoff.
Seller takeaway
Cumberland County’s commercial geography is being redrawn by the Outer Loop. If you own land in traditional locations, understanding how the loop affects your property’s future is important. Call Roth Capital at 704-600-3839.
I buy commercial land in Cumberland County. Call me and let’s talk about what your parcel is worth. 704-600-3839.
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