Selling Near Fort Liberty: What Fayetteville Owners Should Know

Fayetteville is a market that confuses a lot of people. It’s not flashy. It doesn’t show up on the “top 10 growth markets” lists. And if you’re comparing it to Charlotte or Raleigh, yeah, it’s a different scale.

But I’ve bought in Fayetteville and the surrounding area, and here’s what I can tell you: for certain asset types, it’s one of the most consistent markets in the state.

The military factor

Fort Liberty (used to be Fort Bragg, I still slip up sometimes) is the largest military installation in the country by population. That creates a baseline of demand that doesn’t go away regardless of what the broader economy does. Soldiers need housing. Military families need storage. Contractors supporting the base need warehouse and shop space.

Self-storage near Fort Liberty is a great example. Military personnel are constantly rotating in and out. PCS moves generate storage demand like nothing else. Facilities within a 10-minute drive of the base stay full. I’ve looked at several in the area and the occupancy numbers are consistently strong.

What sells well in Fayetteville

Small-bay industrial and flex. Contractors who service the base and the surrounding residential construction need shop space. The demand is steady and the rents are affordable enough that tenants stick around.

Retail along Skibo Road and Bragg Blvd does well because the traffic counts are massive. Strip centers with service tenants, fast food, convenience. The basics. Nothing glamorous but the cash flow is reliable.

Related: Top Employers in the Fayetteville Metro: Fort Liberty and Beyond

What’s trickier in Fayetteville: office. There’s not a huge office market outside of medical office near Cape Fear Valley. And larger industrial buildings can be a harder sell because the tenant pool for big spaces is thinner than in Charlotte or the Triangle.

The value proposition for sellers

Here’s why I think now is a good time for Fayetteville owners to consider selling. Cap rates in secondary markets like Fayetteville are compressing. Five years ago you might have seen 9-10 caps on small industrial here. Now it’s more like 7.5-8.5. That means your building is worth more than it was, even if the income hasn’t changed dramatically.

At the same time, expenses have gone up everywhere. Insurance is up. Property taxes are up. Maintenance costs are up. If your net income is getting squeezed, selling while cap rates are favorable makes a lot of sense.

I buy direct in Fayetteville. No listing, no broker, no commission. If you’ve got a commercial property near Fort Liberty and you’re thinking about your next move, give me a call. 704-600-3839.