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The build-to-rent market is growing fast across the United States, with more than 110,000 single-family rental homes currently under construction in 613 communities as of January 2025.

Today’s house renters are increasingly on the lookout for comfortable homes with modern amenities for a fraction of both the cost and stress of buying. And real estate developers are stepping up to meet the ongoing need for spacious living options that bypass the price tag and long-term commitment of homeownership.

Sprawling states like Texas and Arizona are making headlines with massive BTR projects. However, according to the recent Point2Homes build-to-rent report, North Carolina is making a name for itself in this rapidly growing sector. With over 12,000 new single-family rental homes in the works, the state is emerging as a key player in the Southeast.

Key Highlights:

  • North Carolina developers are set to add 12,398 new single-family rentals in the coming future, working to catch up to build-to-rent powerhouses like Arizona or Texas.
  • Upon delivery, the state’s supply of BTR single-family homes will go up by over 150%, the 5th highest increase in build-to-rent projects of all states.
  • A major player in the Southeast’s build-to-rent market, the state ranks 4th nationally in single-family rental construction and 2nd in the region, just behind Florida and ahead of Georgia.
  • Charlotte and Raleigh metros lead the BTR charge with over 5,300 and 2,900 new units under construction, respectively. The Wilmington metro area is making impressive strides, with 1,800 units on the way.
  • The city of Charlotte, in a BTR league of its own: the state’s largest city is stepping up, on track to deliver more than 2,300 single-family homes for rent.

North Carolina Among Top States with Most House Rentals Under Construction

Build-to-rent supply of single-family homes will increase more than 150% upon completion

Unlike other urban hubs where demand is usually concentrated in high-density areas, North Carolina stands out for its ability to expand more into spacious suburban and rural areas. Plus, compared to other coastal states, it benefits from lower land and construction costs, making it an attractive option for developers.

This ability to combine affordability with space and opportunity makes North Carolina an emerging hub for build-to-rent projects, with nearly 12,400 single-family homes for rent already in the pipeline.

Nationally, build-to-rent construction is set to increase rental housing inventory by 53.5%, but North Carolina is far outpacing this growth, planning on a 152% increase in its own BTR supply.

Like many places across the country, the state has experienced a shift toward suburban living, driven in part by the pandemic and the rise of remote work. Build-to-rent communities in suburban areas have a specific appeal, providing renters with more space, family-friendly environments, and modern features—all while keeping them connected to urban amenities and job opportunities.

NC Metros Among the Country’s Best at Build-to-Rent Construction

Wilmington metro on track to nearly quadruple its BTR inventory with new house rental developments

North Carolina, like much of the country, has seen a growing preference for suburban living, a trend accelerated by the pandemic and remote job opportunities. This is especially the case in the bigger metro areas that draw new residents thanks to thriving job markets in healthcare, education, finance and technology.

To that end, the state’s two largest metros, Charlotte and Raleigh, are at the forefront of the state’s BTR expansion, proving that the Southeast is more than capable of keeping up with national leaders in build-to-rent.

Developers in the Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia area are adding over 5,368 single-family rental homes, making it the fourth metro for BTR construction in the nation. As a hub for banking, tech, and healthcare, the Charlotte metro attracts professionals and families alike, driving demand for modern rentals that offer more space and privacy—without the high costs or long-term commitment of buying a home.

The Raleigh-Cary metro—with no fewer than 2,934 single-family homes for rent underway—is seeing similar demand. Its strong job market, proximity to universities, and growing population of remote workers and students are fueling the need for high-quality rentals.

As a tech and research hub, the Raleigh area is becoming an attractive destination for young professionals, part-time workers, and those starting their careers. In fact, once current BTR projects are completed, the metro will have tripled its rental inventory—a milestone only Wilmington, a metropolitan area three times smaller in size, is expected to outdo.

Developers in the Wilmington metro are planning to increase its BTR supply by a whopping 358.3%—just in time to provide more options to the flocking newcomers to this popular area near scenic beaches and recreational spots.

Charlotte Leads North Carolina’s Build-to-Rent Growth, with Smaller Cities Joining the Trend

Raleigh gears up for a 10x surge in single-family homes for rent

The cities of Charlotte and Raleigh are known as the state’s main hubs, drawing newcomers with their thriving job markets and lively communities. But it’s Charlotte, a key financial center growing in population, that’s working hardest on meeting house renters halfway.

The implications of such an increase in popularity include economic growth and job opportunities, but also housing demand. Build-to-rent developments in Charlotte are outpacing all the other NC cities, with 2,362 single-family rental units in the pipeline. Upon completion, BTR inventory in Charlotte is expected to rise by almost 144%. Among the dozens of communities driving this boom are the promising Oak Lake and Wayford at Innovation Park—both planning on delivering more than 200 single-family homes for rent to the area.

As for Raleigh, part of the Research Triangle, the city is set on increasing its BTR inventory tenfold, with the addition of close to 950 single-family rentals that aim to cater to a growing demand for more spacious rental options.

As developers extend their reach into secondary and tertiary markets, North Carolina’s build-to-rent sector is poised for continued growth. Smaller cities like Pineville and Sanford are also becoming part of the trend, each contributing over 650 new units to the state’s growing BTR pipeline. Such suburban developments offer larger homes, family-friendly environments, and updated amenities while maintaining access to nearby urban job centers.

The state’s emphasis on suburban growth, affordability, and modern amenities is attracting renters who value space and flexibility. Even in smaller places like Mooresville, Wendell, or Leland—a city ten times smaller than Durham, yet on track to deliver just as many rental homes—the appeal is clear. Towns like these manage to strike a balance between affordability, natural beauty, and proximity to urban conveniences, making them increasingly popular for renters.

North Carolina’s build-to-rent boom isn’t just reshaping its housing market, it’s giving renters more options in cities and suburbs alike. From Charlotte’s bustling metro to smaller towns like Wendell and Leland, the state is quickly becoming a top destination for house renters looking for the best of both worlds: room to grow without the commitment of buying.

Methodology

Point2Homes.com is a real estate listing portal for rental homes across the United States. Part of Yardi Systems, Point2Homes covers housing trends and news through comprehensive studies that draw from internal data, public records, governmental sources, and online research.

  • This study is exclusively based on data related to build-to-rent communities containing at least 50 single-family rental units.
  • This analysis was performed by Point2Homes using data provided by our sister company, Yardi Matrix. The data includes only properties defined as single-family homes for rent that are located in build-to-rent, professionally managed communities in the markets covered by Yardi Matrix research. Data for some markets may not be available and data for the locations included in the analysis may be subject to change. This analysis does not include other types of single-family rentals that are not located in build-to-rent communities.
  • Build-to-rent communities are defined by Yardi Matrix as communities where at least 50% of the units fit one of the following criteria: (1) They do not share any walls with other units, or (2) they have shared walls, but do not have neighbors above/below or have a direct-access garage.
  • For the purposes of this study, we considered as “units in the pipeline in 2025” all units that are a) currently under construction and b) currently planned (units that have already been permitted).
  • “Units under construction” haven’t received a certificate of occupancy by the end of December 2024 or are currently being built. Under construction data may be incomplete and is subject to change. “Planned units” are units for which all zoning issues have been resolved and the appropriate legal institution has signed off on and approved the development proposal submitted.

Fair use and redistribution

We encourage and freely grant permission to reuse, host or repost this article. When doing so, we only ask that you kindly attribute the authors by linking to Point2Homes.com or this page, so that your readers can learn more about this project, the research behind it and its methodology.

Alexandra is a Senior Real Estate Writer for Point2Homes. She holds a BA in Language and an MA in Journalism and Cultural Studies. With over five years of experience in covering and interpreting housing market trends, she has written extensively on various real estate topics, including renter demographic shifts, residential development, the dynamics of house rentals, market reports, and industry news. Her work has been featured in The New York Times, Bloomberg, Barron’s, Inman, Forbes, Architectural Digest, and MarketWatch, earning her bylines in various other industry publications. Alexandra can be reached at [email protected].