We Buy Houses in Craven County

Florence's surge on the Neuse and Trent

In September 2018, Hurricane Florence drove storm surge up the Neuse and into the Trent, flooding downtown New Bern and low-lying neighborhoods along both rivers. Hundreds of people had to be rescued, and in the lowest areas water filled first floors and reached into second floors.

Five years later, local recovery groups were still finding houses with mold and rotting floors from water that sat in them. That kind of hidden damage, a partial repair, or a flood insurance quote is what usually ends a financed sale here. Floodplain rules also require a substantially damaged house to meet current elevation standards when it is rebuilt. We buy surge-damaged houses as they stand.

Historic districts and CAMA permits

In New Bern, any exterior alteration to a building in the Downtown or Riverside historic districts needs a certificate of appropriateness. City staff can approve in-kind replacement and minor work, and larger changes go to the Historic Preservation Commission.

Craven is one of North Carolina's 20 coastal counties under the Coastal Area Management Act. Work in an area of environmental concern, which includes estuarine shoreline along the Neuse, can need a CAMA permit from the Division of Coastal Management. A bulkhead, pier, or addition built without one tends to surface in a buyer's due diligence. We buy with those questions open.

Cherry Point rentals in Havelock and New Bern

Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point sits in Havelock, and many of its households rent off base in Havelock and New Bern. Under federal law, a service member can end a residential lease early on permanent change of station orders or deployment orders of 90 days or more, so a landlord's rent can stop on short notice.

We buy rentals near the base with tenants in place, between tenants, or from owners who were stationed here and now manage from somewhere else. Leases and deposits transfer at closing.

Craven County property we buy

• Houses damaged by Florence's surge or flooding, repaired or not
• Houses in New Bern's Downtown and Riverside historic districts
• Waterfront houses with unpermitted bulkheads, piers, or additions
• Rentals near MCAS Cherry Point, occupied or vacant
• Older houses in New Bern, Havelock, and Vanceboro needing major repairs
• Rural houses on wells and septic around Cove City and Dover
• Houses owned from out of state after a transfer

Records, courts, and closing in Craven County

New Bern is the county seat. The Craven County Register of Deeds records deeds and deeds of trust, the clerk of superior court in New Bern handles estates and foreclosure hearings, and the county tax office sets values. Craven last revalued in 2023, and the next revaluation is scheduled for 2028. CAMA permits are handled by the Division of Coastal Management, with its Morehead City office covering Craven south of the Neuse and its Washington office covering the north side.

A licensed North Carolina attorney handles the closing. Mention any storm repairs that are recent or unpaid, since North Carolina mechanics' liens can relate back to when the work began.

Frequently asked questions