$388,900
2 bd · 2 ba · 1,229 sq ft
1896 New River Inlet 1413
North Topsail Beach, NC, 28460 · Shipwatch Villas
Listed by eXp Realty
About this home
Unit 1413 at Shipwatch Villas is not just a penthouse, it is the penthouse. The original. Owned since 1984 by the very first resident to call this building home, a founding member of the HOA who helped shape the community that surrounds it, and now, for the first time in four decades, available to someone new at a price that reflects genuine motivation. SELLER is motivated. Step inside and feel it immediately. Soaring vaulted ceilings and transom windows flood the top floor with the quality of coastal light that only this level can access. A bird's eye view of the Atlantic Ocean and the complex oceanside pool stretches before you from the highest residential position in the building. Rattan furnishings, sailing ships, coastal art, and the kind of carefully curated vintage beach aesthetic that designers spend years trying to recreate and never quite do, fill every room with a warmth and character that zero other units in this building can claim. This home was loved. It shows in every corner. Two spacious bedrooms. Two full baths. An open living and dining space anchored by those signature penthouse ceilings that stretch toward the sky. A private oceanfront balcony with direct access from both the living room and the primary bedroom means the sound of the Atlantic is never more than a few steps away from wherever you are. And because this was always a cherished personal retreat, never once offered as a rental in forty years of ownership, it arrives in pristine, meticulously maintained condition that will stop buyers mid-tour. Topsail Island is a 26-mile barrier island along the southeastern North Carolina coast, largely undeveloped and consistently ranked among the most sought-after coastal destinations on the East Coast. North Topsail Beach delivers breathtaking Atlantic sunrises, Intracoastal sunsets, and the kind of pace that makes people stop checking their phones. From this address, Ocean's Edge Restaurant and Aarr Pirate Bar at the St. Regis Resort are a short walk up New River Inlet Road, panoramic oceanfront dining and sunset cocktails without moving your car. The community delivers the rest: an oceanfront pool with the best view in the building directly below this unit, direct private beach boardwalk access, outdoor grilling areas, rinse-off shower station, pet-friendly policy, and elevator service to every floor. Shipwatch Villas is now VA approved. Qualified veterans, active duty service members, and military retirees may be eligible to purchase with little to no down payment and no PMI. Contact a VA-approved lender for current rates and terms. Camp Lejeune, MCAS New River, MARSOC, and Stone Bay are all within comfortable reach. There are newer penthouses at Shipwatch Villas. There are renovated penthouses. But there is only one original, only one unit that has watched this community grow from its very first day, cared for by the hands that helped build it. Whether this becomes a primary coastal residence, a short-term vacation rental investment, or a long-term income property, this unit arrives with zero rental wear, zero deferred maintenance, and a completely clean slate. Topsail Island vacation rental revenue grew 17 to 26 percent year over year. The pristine condition, the top-floor position, the pool and ocean views, and the vintage character are exactly what discerning renters seek and return for. Unit 1413 is not a flip. It is not a project. It is forty years of coastal living distilled into one extraordinary top-floor address, offered now, with great care, to whoever falls in love with it next. Two elevators and multiple stairs for access, pet friendly.
Facts
- Type
- Condominium
- Year built
- 1984
- HOA
- $10,020 / annually
- Community
- Shipwatch Villas
- County
- Onslow
- MLS #
- 100565834
Features
Inside
- Vaulted Ceiling(s)
- High Ceilings
- Entrance Foyer
- Elevator
- Ceiling Fan(s)
- Blinds/Shades
- Carpet
- Vinyl
- Built-In Microwave
- Washer
- Refrigerator
- Dryer
- Dishwasher
- Electric Range
Outside
- Outdoor Shower
- Cluster Mailboxes
- Outdoor Grill
- Open Lot
- Dunes
- Level
- Deeded Beach Access
- Deeded Water Rights
- Deeded Waterfront
- Ocean Side
- Landscaped
- ICW
- Marsh
- Ocean
- Water
Community
- Roof Maintenance
- Waterfront Community
- Beach Access
- Beach Rights
- Community Pool
- Elevator(s)
- Flood Insurance
- Maintenance Common Areas
- Maintenance Grounds
- Maintenance Structure
- Termite Bond
Parking
- Shared Driveway
- Additional Parking
- Asphalt
- Lighted
- On Site
- Paved
Heating & cooling
- Heat Pump
- Electric
- Ceiling Fan(s)
Schools
- Elementary
- Coastal
- Middle
- Dixon
- High
- Dixon
As listed in the MLS (Onslow). School assignments can change — confirm with the district for this address.
Monthly payment estimate
$3,152/mo
- Principal & interest (30-yr fixed)$2,317
- HOA dues$835
Estimate only. Rate is the national 30-year average (6.95% as of Sep 17, 2026, Freddie Mac); your rate depends on your lender. Homeowners and flood insurance aren't included — on the coast they vary a lot by house, so get a quote early.
Recent sales like this nearby
| Home | Sold | Bd / Ba | Sq ft | Price | $ / sq ft |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1896 New River Inlet 1412, North Topsail Beach | Sep 21, 2026 | 2 / 2 | 1,229 | $416,000 | $338 |
| 1896 New River Inlet Road Unit 1212, North Topsail Beach | Sep 23, 2025 | 2 / 2 | 1,229 | $435,000 | $354 |
| 1866 New River Inlet Road Unit 3414c, North Topsail Beach | Apr 30, 2026 | 2 / 2 | 961 | $417,500 | $434 |
| 2000 New River Inlet Road Unit 1404, North Topsail Beach | May 26, 2026 | 2 / 2 | 1,010 | $280,000 | $277 |
Similar size and type, sold in the last 6 months. From Hive MLS records; deemed reliable, not guaranteed.
Buying in North Topsail Beach? Local guides
- One-Story and Primary-on-Main Homes on the Southeastern NC CoastWhere the one-level homes are from Wilmington to Calabash, what they cost town by town, and what to check before you buy — from current MLS listings.
About 1896 New River Inlet 1413
1896 New River Inlet 1413 is a 2-bedroom, 2-bath condo of about 1,229 square feet, built in 1984 in Shipwatch Villas, North Topsail Beach, Onslow County, NC 28460.
At $388,900, it's 9% above the median asking price ($357,000) of the 66 other 2-bedroom listings for sale in North Topsail Beach today.
That's about $316 per square foot, compared with a North Topsail Beach median of $393.
18 other homes are for sale in Shipwatch Villas right now (median asking $429,950); 4 homes sold there in the last 12 months at a median of $528,500, typically in about 111 days.
Across ZIP 28460, 99 2-bedroom homes sold in the past year at a median of $225,000.
Shipwatch Villas neighborhood guideHomes for sale in North Topsail BeachOnslow County homesWaterfront homes in North Topsail Beach
Buying 1896 New River Inlet 1413
- See it in person. Pick a time and we'll call to confirm — often same day.
- Talk numbers. Tell us what you'd like to offer. It's non-binding — a licensed agent calls you before anything is written.
- Have a home to sell first? Our guaranteed sale lets you buy with a firm plan for your current home. How it works
Own a home near 1896 New River Inlet 1413? See what it's worth — every online estimate side by side, next to real sales in Shipwatch Villas.
What's my home worth? →Questions about 1896 New River Inlet 1413
How much is 1896 New River Inlet 1413?
1896 New River Inlet 1413 is listed at $388,900 (about $316 per square foot) as of September 23, 2026. Status: active under contract.
How many bedrooms and bathrooms does 1896 New River Inlet 1413 have?
2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms, with about 1,229 square feet.
What neighborhood is 1896 New River Inlet 1413 in?
Shipwatch Villas, in North Topsail Beach, Onslow County, North Carolina.
What have homes sold for in Shipwatch Villas?
4 homes sold in Shipwatch Villas in the last 12 months, at a median price of $528,500.
Is 1896 New River Inlet 1413 waterfront?
Yes — the MLS lists it as a waterfront property.
Does 1896 New River Inlet 1413 have an HOA fee?
Yes: $10,020 (annually), per the MLS.
When was 1896 New River Inlet 1413 built?
1984.
Who is the listing broker for 1896 New River Inlet 1413?
eXp Realty (MLS #100565834). The Buddy Blake Team can show it to you and answer questions.
Can I tour 1896 New River Inlet 1413?
Yes. Tap “Schedule a tour,” pick a time, and we'll call to confirm — or call or text (910) 395-1000.
