Real Estate Investing in Free Union, Virginia (22940)

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

Albemarle County • Population: 935 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 22940 (Free Union, VA)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
CAUTION
Grade D (41/100)

Proceed carefully. Weak appreciation or affordability makes this a harder case for most buyers.

📈 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
2 flags
  • High vacancy: 34.5% of homes vacant — above national norms.
  • High price-to-rent: Price-to-rent ratio 29.9 — hard to cash-flow at these prices.

• Limited market data — this is a very small market; averages are built from few observations and can swing widely. • Modeled rent — no observed market rent for this ZIP; the figure is estimated from HUD fair-market rent.

What’s happening in Free Union, VA (22940)?

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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 $638,871
Avg Monthly Rent $1,782
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $89,476
% Renters 14.6%

Market Analysis: 22940 Free Union

The 22940 ZIP in Free Union, VA is a local-operator market. Outside capital chasing a $639K entry has to pair deep knowledge with the discount.

For an experienced owner, 22940 can be a worth a close look for hunting ground — but the discount at $639K reflects genuine risk that outside investors often underestimate.

In the broader VA picture, 22940 is a reminder that not every low-priced ZIP is a value-add opportunity — some are simply distressed, and the difference matters.

Employment concentration in 22940 leans toward sectors with higher volatility. The demographic consequence is income fluctuation that investors need to factor into their pro forma.

The 22940 ZIP fits a narrow investor profile — hands-on, patient, and willing to accept that the cap rate on paper is not the cap rate in reality.

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 Free Union:

C Below Average
Buy Confidence Score: 53/100
Affordability
5/25
Appreciation
18/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Expensive
Homes cost 7.1× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+4.7%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,782/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
BALANCED
Even conditions for buyers and sellers
Bottom Line: This market may be challenging for buyers. Consider your timing and budget carefully.
⚖️
BALANCED MARKET
Charlottesville, VA Metro Area
Even conditions for buyers and sellers
58 days
Average time to sell
Average
8.7%
Listings with price cuts
Few Cuts
0.0%
Sale price vs asking
Below Ask
0.0%
Income needed for mortgage
Affordable
📅 Market conditions as of August 29, 2026 — updated weekly from Charlottesville, VA metro data

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$663K$593K$523K$453K$383K$313KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

📊 How Does 22940 Compare?

Metric 22940 Free Union Charlottesville, VA Virginia
Home Value $638,871 $638,871 N/A $403,170
5-Year CAGR 5.0% 5.0% N/A 6.4%
Avg Rent $1,782 $1,782 N/A -
Cap Rate 2.2% 2.2% - -
💡 Why Invest in 22940? 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 22940 (Free Union, VA). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
2.2%
Low
5yr Growth
+5.0%
Moderate

📉 Market Crash Risk Index

Based on Charlottesville, VA metro

1/10
Low Risk
Price YoY
0/3
N/A
Rent YoY
0/2
N/A
Below List
0/3
46%
Days Pending
1/2
58 days

View all metro crash risk rankings →

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $638,871
Monthly Rent $1,782
Price-to-Rent 29.9:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 3.4%
Cap Rate 2.2%
5-Year IRR 7.2%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +4.7% ▲
3-Year CAGR +5.2% ▲
5-Year CAGR +5.0% ▲
10-Year CAGR +5.9% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 2.2%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (2.2%). 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
34.5%
Elevated risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+5.0%
Stable
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 22940

Population: 935

💰 Median Household Income
$89,476
This area
$89,476
State
$80,295
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
14.6%
This area
14.6%
State
25.7%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
0.0%
This area
0.0%
State
-18.5%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
38.5%
This area
38.5%
State
4.0%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
47.5 years
This area
47.5 years
State
9.9 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
34.5%
This area
34.5%
State
16.4%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 95.3%
Other/Mixed 3.5%
Hispanic/Latino 2.8%
Black/African American 1.2%
👶 Under 18
20.5%
This area
20.5%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
19.5%
This area
19.5%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
0.0%
This area
0.0%
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

🎓 Nearby Colleges & Universities

1 Nearby
A
University of Virginia-Main Campus
25,924 students · 12.8 mi

Frequently Asked Questions

Should investors worry about vacancy in Free Union, VA?

Vacancy in Free Union, VA is elevated, which keeps landlord downtime on reasonable timelines. Most properties lease within the standard window at $1,782/mo.

How qualified is the tenant pool in Free Union, VA?

Expect a solid tenant pool in Free Union, VA. The rental market absorbs $1,782/mo rents without meaningful friction.

Is Free Union, VA a smart market for rental property?

With a 3.0/5 investability score, Free Union, VA ranks as a solid market for rental property investors. Median prices of $639K and rents of $1,782/mo drive the underlying numbers.

How much should I expect to pay for a home in Free Union, VA?

Expect median prices around $639K in Free Union, VA. The market has run at a 0.0% 5-year CAGR, so entry costs have been consistent.

How strong are rents in Free Union, VA?

The typical rental in Free Union, VA commands about $1,782/mo monthly. That rent profile consistent cash flow against the $639K purchase basis.

You know 22940 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

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How 22940 ranks in Charlottesville, VA

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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