Median Listing Price
$565k
25th–75th pct varies. Comparable to other beach STR markets in the Top 50.
Median Land Ratio
36%
Range 31%–41%. Leaves the rest of purchase price as depreciable basis.
Bonus-Eligible %
24.7%
Median % of purchase price classifiable as 5-yr or 15-yr property. Range 21–28%.
Federal Savings @ 37%
$51.7k
Median federal tax savings on a $565k purchase. Range $44.0k–$60.7k.
Why Outer Banks matters for STR bonus depreciation
Outer Banks's score reflects three compounding factors driving its bonus depreciation outcome:
1. OBX land ratios beat FL coastal peers
Outer Banks lots — including ocean-side and sound-side parcels — carry land ratios in the 31–41% range. That's well below comparable Florida coastal markets (38–55%) and dramatically below Northeast trophy markets like Nantucket (~67%).
2. Beach-house FF&E and pool-deck stacks add basis
OBX STRs typically come fully furnished — beachfront FF&E, full appliance packages, and stocked kitchens count as conveyed 5-year personal property if included in the purchase. Add private pools, hot tubs, outdoor showers, fire pits, and screened porches — all 15-year land improvements. Combined basis runs 21–28% of purchase price.
3. North Carolina decoupled — federal benefit dominates
NC is decoupled from federal §168(k). Federal Year 1 deduction flows through fully (~$52k median); NC state return uses 27.5-year straight-line. Federal benefit is the larger savings for nearly all STR investors.
Common bonus-eligible amenities in Outer Banks STRs
Prevalence of 15-year land improvements we typically see across Outer Banks short-term rentals — all 100% bonus-eligible in Year 1 under IRS §168(k):
Pool (private or shared access)
72%
Outdoor kitchen / BBQ area
47%
Fire pit / fire feature
41%
See live Outer Banks listings ranked by bonus depreciation
Every active Outer Banks short-term rental scored by Year 1 bonus depreciation potential — filtered by your price range and amenity preferences. Free market search shows every listing. Run a $99 detailed AI property report on any specific listing for line-item 5-year / 15-year / 39-year classification, closely calibrated to a formal cost seg study.
How the score is calculated
Outer Banks's DepreciMax Score is the aggregate score across 100 active listings run through our proprietary algorithm. We use multiple inputs — including land values and AI photo recognition — calibrated over time against a completed cost segregation study on a benchmark short-term rental, with a target accuracy of closely calibrated on bonus-eligible % of purchase price.
More detail in the Top 50 Markets methodology section.
Version: 2026. Sample listings are representative profiles drawn from the top 100 active listings at snapshot date — actual addresses anonymized. Bonus depreciation outcomes vary by individual property; this report estimates ranges for typical purchases. Not tax advice — consult your CPA before making investment decisions.
Score live Outer Banks properties — for your specific deal
Run any active Outer Banks listing through the DepreciMax property scorer. Free market search shows you every listing ranked by bonus depreciation potential. $99 per detailed AI report on a specific property — closely calibrated to a formal cost seg study.
Score Outer Banks Properties →
Want the full Top 50 report?
All 50 markets ranked by bonus depreciation score, with category filters and the full methodology.
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