Property listing for 1405 Norman St, Wilmington, NC 28401
ActiveSingle Family Home

$249,900

1405 Norman St, Wilmington, NC 28401

Investor Special: 3-Bed Ranch Minutes from Downtown Wilmington

3 Bed · 2 Bath · 1,500 Sq Ft

Fixer-upper ranch with strong upside and prime downtown access

3

Beds

2

Baths

1,500

Sq Ft

1949

Built

0.11 acres

Lot

none (on-street parking only)

Garage

About 1405 Norman St

1405 Norman Street is a mid-century ranch that puts downtown Wilmington within an easy half-mile walk while offering a substantial renovation opportunity. Built in 1949 and sitting on a level 0.11-acre lot (4,792 SF) with 65 feet of street frontage, the single-story layout spans approximately 1,500 square feet and currently provides three bedrooms and two baths. The home retains basic systems — central air and forced-air heating — but is in poor condition and priced to reflect required structural and cosmetic work.

Inside, the footprint is straightforward and highly actionable for investors or buyers who want to customize a long-term home. Wood-frame construction, a shingle roof, and original-era finishes present both challenges and potential: with thoughtful upgrades the house can be repositioned to match comps that have commanded significantly higher price-per-square-foot figures after renovation. The assessed value of $366,700 vs. recent as‑is sale activity highlights the possibility for upside when capital improvements are applied strategically.

The lot and location are the real differentiators. At 0.5 miles to Downtown Wilmington, 0.7 miles to the Cape Fear Riverwalk and 1.2 miles to Greenfield Lake Park, this property anchors a walkable, amenity-rich lifestyle while remaining in The Bottom neighborhood — an area attracting investor interest tied to ongoing revitalization. Market Street sits just 0.3 miles away, and New Hanover Regional Medical Center is 1.5 miles from the front door, offering convenient access to services, transit corridors and the city's restaurants and shops.

This listing is a classic as‑is sale for buyers prepared to lead a renovation. Zoning is R-3 (single-family residential), which allows accessory dwelling units subject to local rules — a potential path to add value or rental income. On-street parking only and no garage are notable constraints to factor into renovation planning. Prospective purchasers should confirm repair estimates, permitting and zoning details, and the extent of required work. For investors seeking a property with immediate location advantages and measurable upside, 1405 Norman Street is a compelling candidate — contact the listing agent to schedule an inspection and obtain contractor quotes.

Home Highlights

Fixer-upper / investor opportunity1,500 SF ranch on 0.11-acre lotPrime downtown Wilmington access (0.5 mi)Zoned R-3 — potential for accessory dwelling unitSold as-is previously; priced for renovationAssessed value suggests upside after improvementsCentral air and forced-air heating present

Property Features

Interior Features

  • 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
  • Approximately 1,500 square feet
  • Central air conditioning
  • Forced-air heating
  • Single-story ranch layout
  • Wood-frame construction
  • Shingle roof

Exterior & Lot

  • Lot size: 0.11 acres (4,792 SF)
  • 65 ft frontage on Norman St
  • Level topography
  • On-street parking only (no garage)
  • Zoned R-3 (Single-Family Residential)

Location & Neighborhood

  • 0.5 miles to Downtown Wilmington
  • 0.7 miles to Cape Fear Riverwalk
  • 1.2 miles to Greenfield Lake Park
  • 1.5 miles to New Hanover Regional Medical Center
  • Near Market Street (0.3 mi) — local shops and eateries
  • Neighborhood: The Bottom — undergoing revitalization

Walkability & Recreation

  • Walkability Rating: 78/100 — Some errands and downtown amenities within walking distance
  • Cape Fear Riverwalk (0.7 miles) for strolling and waterfront access
  • Greenfield Lake Park (1.2 miles) — trails and open-water recreation
  • Easy pedestrian access to downtown restaurants, galleries and services
  • Proximity supports strong rental demand for renovated units

Neighborhood & Location

The Bottom is an emerging, centrally located neighborhood prized for its proximity to Downtown Wilmington and the Cape Fear Riverwalk. Residents enjoy short walks to independent restaurants, breweries and cultural venues, plus easy access to Greenfield Lake’s trails and water recreation. The area is attracting renovation projects and investor attention, which is reshaping housing stock while retaining a tight-knit, working urban character. Schools in the district receive average ratings, and buyers often weigh proximity to downtown and local amenities when choosing this neighborhood.

Market Insights

The Bottom neighborhood is currently a moderately competitive market that favors sellers of renovated product but presents opportunities for investors focused on distressed assets. Local indicators: inventory sits near 2.5 months (tight supply), average days on market roughly 35, and median sale price for the area near $250,000. Recent transactions show a range—smaller, renovated cottages have fetched $260K+ while as‑is properties have sold for substantially less, as seen in this block. Appreciation has been steady (about 5% year-over-year and ~20% over five years), suggesting longer-term support for price growth.

For single-family fixer-uppers specifically, demand is driven by buyers seeking proximity to downtown and by investors pursuing renovation-to-rent or renovation-to-resell strategies. Lease comps in the immediate area indicate rental demand as well: comparable three-bedroom units command roughly $2,200/month post-renovation, and conservative rental estimates for this property post-upgrade are about $1,850/month. Given low inventory and sustained buyer interest in centrally located homes, now is a favorable window for investors to acquire a below-market asset and execute value-add renovations—provided thorough due diligence on repair scope and costs is completed first.

Nearby Schools

Snipes Academy of Arts & Design

Elementary

5/10

Williston Middle School

Middle

4/10

New Hanover High School

High

3/10

Walkability & Recreation

78
Walkability
80
Recreation

Very good access to outdoor recreation: Cape Fear Riverwalk is 0.7 miles away, Greenfield Lake Park is 1.2 miles out, and downtown waterfront amenities and trails are within a short walk.

Investment Highlights

  • Sold at 26.97% below original list price
  • Proximity to downtown Wilmington and Cape Fear Riverwalk
  • Neighborhood experiencing revitalization and growth
  • Potential for significant value appreciation post-renovation
  • Assessed value of $366,700 indicates upside potential

Key Findings

  • Built in 1949 with 1,500 SF of living space
  • Lot size: 0.11 acres (4,792 SF)
  • Sold in November 2025 for $182,500
  • Assessed value: $366,700
  • Zoned R-3: Single-Family Residential

Things to Consider

  • Property requires significant repairs and updates
  • On-street parking only; no dedicated parking spaces
  • Schools in the area have average ratings
  • Potential for unforeseen renovation costs

Opportunity Analysis

Distressed property in a revitalizing neighborhood near downtown Wilmington offers significant upside potential post-renovation.

Potential Use Scenarios

  • Comprehensive renovation to modernize and increase value
  • Potential for rental income given proximity to downtown
  • Monitor neighborhood developments to capitalize on appreciation

Risk Factors

  • Extent of necessary repairs may exceed initial estimates
  • Market conditions may affect resale value post-renovation
  • Potential challenges in securing financing for distressed properties

Buyers should conduct independent due diligence before making any purchase decisions.

AI Valuation Estimate

Low

$200K

Midpoint

$210K

High

$220K

$140/SF estimated price per square foot

75% confidence

Sales comparison approach using 3 comparable sales within 0.5 miles sold in last 6 months. Adjusted for condition, lot size, and bedroom count. Assessed value of $366,700 appears above market due to property's current condition.

As of 2026-03-06

This is a computer-generated estimate for informational purposes only and is not an appraisal or professional valuation.

Market & Area Data

Market Trends

Area Median Price$250,000
Avg Days on Market35 days
Inventory2.5 months
1-Year Appreciation+5.0%

Demographics

Population (1 mi)12,000
Median Income (1 mi)$45,000

The Bottom neighborhood has seen increased interest from investors due to its proximity to downtown and potential for revitalization.

Nearby Points of Interest

  • Downtown Wilmington (0.5 mi)
  • Cape Fear Riverwalk (0.7 mi)
  • Greenfield Lake Park (1.2 mi)
  • New Hanover Regional Medical Center (1.5 mi)

Walking distance to downtown shops, restaurants, and the Cape Fear Riverwalk. Proximity to Greenfield Lake Park offers recreational opportunities.

School District

DistrictNew Hanover County Schools
ElementarySnipes Academy of Arts & Design (5/10)
MiddleWilliston Middle School (4/10)
HighNew Hanover High School (3/10)

Market data is based on aggregated public records and may not reflect real-time conditions.

Property Details

Building Details

Year Built1949
Constructionwood frame
Stories1
Roofshingle
Heatingforced air
Coolingcentral air
Basementnone
FireplaceNo
Conditionpoor

Lot & Site

Lot Size0.11 acres (4,792 SF)
Topographylevel
Parkingon_street
Parking Spaces0
Frontage65 ft frontage on Norman St

Utilities

Waterpublic
Sewerpublic
ElectricDuke Energy
GasPiedmont Natural Gas

Zoning & Land Use

Zoning CodeR-3
DescriptionSingle-Family Residential
JurisdictionCity of Wilmington

Allowed Uses

single familyaccessory dwelling unithome occupation
Current Useresidential
Assessor UseSingle-Family Residential

Tax & Sale History

Tax Assessment

Total Assessed$366,700
Land$79,800
Improvements$286,900
Annual Tax (2025)$2,158

Sale History

2025-11-14$182,500

$122/SF

Sold as-is; cash transaction

1989-07-07$0

Transaction details not fully available

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