Real Estate Investing in Clifton, Virginia (20124)

Everything the listing leaves out — vacancy, rent trend, cap rate, landlord climate. All free.

Fairfax County • Population: 14,557 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 20124 (Clifton, VA)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
MIXED
Grade C (57/100)

Mixed signals — some positives, some negatives. Worth considering but not a slam-dunk.

📈 For Investors
MIXED
3.0 / 5 (47/100)

A middle-of-the-road market. Workable, but the best opportunities may be nearby ZIPs rather than this one.

⚠️ Risks to Know
1 flag
  • High price-to-rent: Price-to-rent ratio 28.8 — hard to cash-flow at these prices.

What’s happening in Clifton, VA (20124)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

2.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

3.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $1,018,163
Avg Monthly Rent $2,950
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $208,125
% Renters 9.2%

Market Analysis: 20124 Clifton

The 20124 ZIP covers a section of Clifton that demands careful diligence. Prices near $1.0M look accessible, but the work to make a deal cash flow is real.

Distressed does not mean uninvestable. It means the margin for error is thinner. ZIP 20124 rewards the prepared, punishes the overconfident, and leaves the math unchanged either way.

ZIP 20124's metrics run below Fairfax County's averages on price growth and tenant stability. Investors who ignore that regional gap tend to relearn it the hard way.

Who lives in 20124 is part of why the ZIP is priced as it is. The demographic profile requires hands-on management, tight screening, and local knowledge.

New investors are better served looking at Clifton's stable or hybrid ZIPs before stepping into 20124. The learning curve here is expensive when the lesson is wrong.

Explore the Data — Click a Tab Below
🏦 Current 30-yr Fixed Mortgage Rate: 6.76% as of Sep 10 Source: Freddie Mac PMMS

Here's what matters if you're considering buying a home in Clifton:

C+ Average
Buy Confidence Score: 62/100
Affordability
10/25
Appreciation
18/25
Stability
11/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 4.9× the median income
Value Trend
Stable (+2.7%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $2,950/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
BALANCED
Even conditions for buyers and sellers
Bottom Line: Mixed signals in this market. Research specific properties carefully and be prepared to negotiate.
🏠

Property Strategy for 20124

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
2BR
4.2% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
5BR
+6.2% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
2BR
$214,947/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $429,895 $2,490 4.2% +5.8% $214,947
3BR $664,572 $3,140 3.4% +5.3% $221,524
4BR $985,544 $3,690 2.7% +5.5% $246,386
5BR $1,173,674 +6.2% $234,735

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$1.1M$960K$849K$737K$625K$514KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

Rent History (with trend line)

No data available

📊 How Does 20124 Compare?

Metric 20124 Clifton Virginia
Home Value $1,018,163 $1,018,163 $403,170
5-Year CAGR 3.9% 3.9% 6.4%
Avg Rent $2,950 $2,950 -
Cap Rate 2.3% 2.3% -
💡 Why Invest in 20124? Click to expand

With a 3/5 investability rating, this ZIP shows solid fundamentals for buy-and-hold investors.

📊 See where this ZIP ranks in our Best-of lists →
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Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 20124 (Clifton, VA). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Property managers serving Fairfax County

Manage rentals here? List your business →

CAMP provides HOA community management services for condos and co-ops in VA, MD, and DC. summary from their website

HOA
Unclaimed — is this your business? Claim it free

Chambers Theory provides residential and commercial property management services in Northern Virginia, DC, and MD, with customized plans and guarantees. summary from their website

Commercial
Unclaimed — is this your business? Claim it free

HomeRiver Group offers property management, brokerage, rehab and construction, leasing, renewals, and maintenance services for single-family and multi-family homes. summary from their website

Single-familySmall multifamily
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Listings are shown for convenience — Repit doesn’t endorse or vet these companies. Ratings shown come only from email-verified visitors.

Investability
Good
Cap Rate
2.3%
Low
5yr Growth
+3.9%
Moderate

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $1,018,163
Monthly Rent $2,950
Price-to-Rent 28.8:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 3.5%
Cap Rate 2.3%
5-Year IRR 6.1%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +2.7% ▲
3-Year CAGR +3.7% ▲
5-Year CAGR +3.9% ▲
10-Year CAGR +4.7% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 2.3%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (2.3%). Financing reduces your cash-on-cash return below the cap rate. Markets like this may still make sense as IRR plays — factoring in appreciation, depreciation, and a future refinance when rates drop.

Run an IRR Analysis →

⚠️ Risk Signals

Composite view of factors that can impact a ZIP's stability and your downside risk.

Vacancy
1.2%
Low risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+3.9%
Stable
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 20124

Population: 14,557

💰 Median Household Income
$208,125
This area
$208,125
State
$80,295
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
9.2%
This area
9.2%
State
25.7%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
2.3%
This area
2.3%
State
-18.5%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
75.0%
This area
75.0%
State
4.0%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
46.8 years
This area
46.8 years
State
9.9 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
1.2%
This area
1.2%
State
16.4%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 60.0%
Asian 26.5%
Other/Mixed 10.3%
Hispanic/Latino 4.6%
Black/African American 3.3%
👶 Under 18
22.7%
This area
22.7%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
18.0%
This area
18.0%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
2.9%
This area
2.9%
USA
11.5%

Crime & Safety

🚧

Crime & Safety Data Coming Soon

We're integrating comprehensive crime statistics including violent crime rates, property crime, and safety scores to help you make informed investment decisions.

Expected: Q1 2025

🎓 Schools in 20124

A Avg School Grade
3 Schools
14.5:1 Avg Class Size
$19,816 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A+ Excellent

Liberty Middle

📚 07 – 08 Middle
👥
903 Students
👨‍🏫
11.9:1 Class Size
💰
$19,816 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Union Mill Elementary

📚 Pre-K – 06 School
👥
908 Students
👨‍🏫
17.0:1 Class Size
💰
$19,816 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Centreville High

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
2,487 Students
👨‍🏫
14.6:1 Class Size
💰
$19,816 Per Student
About Repit School Scores

Traditional school ratings rely heavily on standardized test scores, which often reflect family income more than school quality. Repit takes a different approach.

We evaluate schools based on factors that research shows actually impact educational outcomes:

  • Class Size — Smaller classes mean more individual attention
  • School Funding — Resources available for programs, staff, and facilities
  • Community Factors — Neighborhood characteristics that influence student success
  • School Environment — Size, type, and structure

Scores are updated annually using federal education data.

🎓 Nearby Colleges & Universities

8 Nearby 7,954 Off-Campus Students
C
Fairfax University of America
25 students · 5.3 mi
B
George Mason University
39,527 students · 5.7 mi
D
Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Manassas
189 students · 6.7 mi
D
Agora University
0 students · 6.7 mi
C
Northern Virginia Community College
53,810 students · 9.1 mi
F
Arizona College of Nursing-Falls Church
284 students · 10.8 mi
D
Paul Mitchell the School-Woodbridge
44 students · 11.3 mi
C
Dermal Science International Aesthetics and Nail Academy
35 students · 12.2 mi

Investor Insight: With 7,954 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.

Frequently Asked Questions

What real estate strategy is ideal for Clifton, VA?

Most investors in Clifton, VA run a careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management strategy. It aligns with the 3.0/5 investability profile and the market fundamentals.

What does house hacking look like in Clifton, VA?

The house hack math a tougher in Clifton, VA. Owner-occupant buyers benefit from the $2,950/mo rents and $1.0M home values.

Where do rents currently stand in Clifton, VA?

Rental rates in Clifton, VA average $2,950/mo. Tenant demand and $1.0M home values make the yield look reasonable by investor standards.

What is the typical vacancy rate in Clifton, VA?

Clifton, VA sees elevated vacancy, which is reasonable relative to the broader VA rental market.

What is the typical home price in Clifton, VA?

Typical homes in Clifton, VA go for around $1.0M. The 5-year CAGR of 0.0% stable price movement.

You know 20124 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

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How 20124 ranks in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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