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    Historic Downtown Mixed-Use Opportunity Title is generated by Realmo AI

    138 E Main Street, Forest City, NC 28043

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    Claim this Listing
    For Sale
    $499,000

    Office/retail space with residential apartment in historic downtown Forest City.

    Type:Commercial
    Property size:
    3,500 SF
    Price / SF:
    $142/SF
    Added:
    May 20, 2026
    Days on Market:
    9
    Last Refresh:
    May 20 at 5:01 am

    Property Features for 138 E Main Street

    General Information

    Standard status
    Active
    Size
    3,500 SF
    Property subtype
    Commercial

    Building Details

    Year Built
    1918

    We can help!

    Listing Contact
    SONJA SMITH

    Listing agent SONJA SMITH License #133997

    Listing office ODEAN KEEVER & ASSOCIATES, INC.

    Listing date May 20, 2026

    Source Corcoran

    Displayed information is deemed reliable but is not guaranteed and should be independently verified.

    All listing content including descriptions, pricing, images are the copyrighted material of ODEAN KEEVER & ASSOCIATES, INC.

    HighLights

    • Prime Historic Downtown location with excellent visibility, ideal for retail or office use.
    • Unique mixed‑use property featuring both commercial space (approx. 1,750 sq ft) and a residential apartment (approx. 1,750 sq ft).
    • Fully renovated with a new roof, HVAC, water heater, electrical and plumbing updates, and a new deck.
    • Stunning apartment with vintage character and early 1900s charm.
    • Currently used as the headquarters for the Forest City Owls, demonstrating established commercial viability.
    • Centrally located between Charlotte, Asheville, and Greenville, offering convenient regional access.

    Overview

    This mixed-use property, situated in the heart of Historic Downtown Forest City, presents a unique opportunity. The main level comprises approximately 1,750 square feet of office and retail space, currently utilized as a team headquarters and retail store. Its prime downtown location offers visibility suitable for entrepreneurs, investors, or business owners. Above the commercial space is a 1,750 square foot apartment with vintage character and early 1900s charm. The residence combines history, comfort, and style in the center of town. Renovations and updates have been completed, including a new roof, HVAC system, water heater, electrical and plumbing updates, and a deck overlooking the amphitheater. Forest City is located in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, between Charlotte, Asheville, and Greenville. Historic Downtown Forest City features boutiques, antique shops, and restaurants. The tree-lined Main Street reflects the community's history. This property is suited for a live/work concept, a new business venture, or investment. The property is currently used as the headquarters for the Forest City Owls.

    Financial Insights

    Value Estimation Calculated for Office B

    Conservative
    $406.4K
    NOI $36,572 @ 9.00% cap · cautious / downside scenario
    Moderate
    $522.5K
    NOI $36,572 @ 7.00% cap · market / base-case scenario
    Aggressive
    $731.4K
    NOI $36,572 @ 5.00% cap · optimistic / upside scenario

    NOI & Cap Rate Calculator

    NOI Build-Up
    Vacancy
    income lost from leasable area expected to sit empty during the year — subtracted from gross rent.
    EGI (Effective Gross Income)
    gross rent minus vacancy losses — the realistic income before paying operating costs.
    OpEx (Operating Expenses)
    recurring costs to operate the property (property tax, insurance, utilities, maintenance, management) — excludes financing and capital improvements.
    NOI (Net Operating Income)
    income a property generates after operating costs but before financing and taxes.
         Calculated for Office B

    Component $ $/SF
    Gross rent $63.0k $18.00
    − Vacancy −$14.2k −$4.07
    EGI $48.8k $13.93
    − OpEx −$12.2k −$3.48
    NOI $36.6k $10.45
    3,500 SF · lease $18.00/SF/yr · vacancy 22.60% · expense 25.00%

    Alternative Use Scenarios

    Best Use
    Office B
    $522.5K
    $457.2K – $609.5K (±1% cap)
    NOI $36,572 @ 7.0% cap · market cap 7.33%
    Second Best
    Retail
    $494.4K
    $432.6K – $576.8K (±1% cap)
    NOI $34,610 @ 7.0% cap · market cap 6.94%
    Theoretical Best
    Office A
    $771.8K
    $675.4K – $900.5K (±1% cap)
    NOI $54,029 @ 7.0% cap · market cap 10.83%
    Zoning and permitted uses should be independently verified with local authorities.
    Location Intelligence

    Current Use by Public Records

    Storefront properties

    Suggested Use

    Restaurant Real Estate Agency Law Firm Building Supply Spa & Massage Center Dental Office Big Box & Wholesale Store Auto Repair Shop Hair Salon Nail Salon

    Zoning and permitted uses should be independently verified with local authorities.

    Location Insight

    • Map
    • Local Demand
    City
    Forest City
    County
    Rutherford
    State
    North Carolina
    Longitude
    -81.8640791
    Latitude
    35.3333196

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    FAQs

    What type of property is this?
    Mixed-use property - Office/retail space with residential apartment in historic downtown Forest City.
    Where is this mixed-use property located?
    The property is located at 138 E Main Street Forest City, NC.
    What is the asking price?
    The asking price for this property is $499,000.
    What are key features of this property?
    This property features: Prime Historic Downtown location with excellent visibility, ideal for retail or office use.; Unique mixed‑use property featuring both commercial space (approx. 1,750 sq ft) and a residential apartment (approx. 1,750 sq ft).; Fully renovated with a new roof, HVAC, water heater, electrical and plumbing updates, and a new deck.
    (828) 286-1311
    We can help!
    Listing Contact
    SONJA SMITH
    Real Estate License ID: 133997
    Learn More
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    Realmo Value Estimations

    Realmo estimates a property’s market value using a proprietary methodology that incorporates public data and user-submitted information. This cumulative value is generated by integrating a variety of conventional and innovative methods. 

    Disclaimer

    These figures are not official appraisals and should not be used as a substitute for a valuation performed by a licensed appraiser.
    Actual market value may differ due to factors not captured in the data. Estimates are offered for informational purposes only, and users should conduct independent research before making financial or investment decisions.
    By using this feature, you acknowledge that Realmo is not responsible for actions taken based on these estimates.

    AI approach

    Realmo AI Method estimates property value using machine learning models trained on millions of comparable listings, transactions, and market signals. It analyzes property features, location intelligence data, and current market dynamics to predict the most probable market value in real time.

    Realmo CapRate Calculation

    Realmo calculates the Capitalization Rate (Cap Rate) to help estimate a property's potential return on investment. The Cap Rate is a fundamental metric in commercial real estate that measures the relationship between a property's net operating income and its market value.

    How We Calculate Cap Rate

    Cap Rate Formula:
    Cap Rate (%) = (Net Operating Income / Property Value) × 100

    Net Operating Income (NOI) Formula:
    NOI = Area × Lease Rate × (1 - Vacancy Rate) × (1 - Operating Expense Ratio)

    Components

    Net Operating Income (NOI) represents the annual income a property generates after operating expenses:

    • Area: Building square footage from property records
    • Lease Rate: Annual $/sqft based on market data for the property type and geographic location
    • Vacancy Rate: Percentage of unoccupied space based on market data for the property type and location
    • Operating Expense Ratio: Operating costs as a percentage of income, varies by property type

    Property Value is derived from:

    • Recent sale price (if available)
    • Statistical models using comparable sales
    • AI-powered valuation estimates

    Example Calculation

    For a 100,000 sqft Office Building:

    • Lease Rate: $25.00/sqft/year (market data for Office in this area)
    • Vacancy Rate: 8% (market data for Office in this area)
    • Operating Expense Ratio: 35% (typical for Office properties)
    • Property Value: $15,000,000

    Step 1: Calculate NOI

    NOI = 100,000 × $25.00 × (1 - 0.08) × (1 - 0.35)
    NOI = 100,000 × $25.00 × 0.92 × 0.65
    NOI = $1,495,000/year

    Step 2: Calculate Cap Rate

    Cap Rate = ($1,495,000 / $15,000,000) × 100
    Cap Rate = 9.97%

    Property Type Considerations

    Net Operating Income calculations vary by property type due to different operating expense ratios:

    • Office: Higher expenses (30-40%) for HVAC, utilities, maintenance
    • Retail: Moderate expenses (25-35%) for common area maintenance
    • Industrial/Warehouse: Lower expenses (15-25%) for minimal tenant services
    • Multifamily: Moderate expenses (35-45%) including property management
    • Self-Storage: Lower expenses (25-35%) due to minimal maintenance

    Market lease rates and vacancy rates are specific to each property type and geographic location, reflecting local market conditions.

    Disclaimer

    These calculations are estimates for informational purposes only and should not be used as a substitute for professional financial analysis or appraisal.

    • Cap Rate calculations depend on market data that may change over time
    • Actual operating expenses, lease rates, and vacancy rates may differ from market averages
    • Individual property conditions, lease terms, and tenant quality significantly impact actual NOI
    • Property value estimates are approximations and not official appraisals
    • Cap rates vary widely by market, property condition, and investment risk profile

    Professional Guidance Recommended: Before making any investment or financial decisions, consult with licensed appraisers, commercial real estate brokers, and financial advisors who can evaluate your specific property and circumstances.
    By using this feature, you acknowledge that Realmo is not responsible for investment decisions or actions taken based on these estimates.

    Cap approach

    Capitalization Method calculates value based on estimated net operating income (NOI) and applying a market-based capitalization rate (cap rate), we estimate what a typical investor might be willing to pay for it.

    Comparable approach

    Comparable estimate is based on recent sales of similar nearby properties, adjusted for factors like size, condition, and location.

    Relative

    Relative property class coefficient uses factors that account for typical price differences between various asset types (e.g., retail vs. industrial) to provide a more accurate market-aligned estimate.

    Geo

    Comparable Sales Method, enhanced by Geo coefficients — location-based adjustment factors that reflect differences in price levels across neighborhoods, cities, or regions ensuring a more accurate, market-sensitive valuation.

    Stat Estimate

    This method estimates value based on actual market adjusted recent (~5 years) sales of comparable properties around by location and property type.

    • Ranges - area data calculated by industry standard IQR Outlier Removal Method
    • Range-from: 75% of all similar sales ($/sqft) are above this value
    • Range-to: 75% of all similar sales ($/sqft) are below this value
    AI Estimate

    This method estimates value based on AI market estimation of comparable properties around by location and property type.

    • Ranges - area data calculated by industry standard IQR Outlier Removal Method
    • Range-from: 75% of all estimations ($/sqft) are above this value
    • Range-to: 75% of all estimations ($/sqft) are below this value
    Alternative use

    Estimate considers the property’s potential value if used for a different purpose-based on zoning, demand, and market feasibility.

    More about this property
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