Real Estate Investing in Saluda, Virginia (23149)

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

Middlesex County • Population: 2,535 • Data updated: September 2026

☆ Watch this market Free account

Should you buy in 23149 (Saluda, VA)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
MIXED
Grade C (60/100)

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 vacancy: 21.2% of homes vacant — above national norms.

• Modeled rent — no observed market rent for this ZIP; the figure is estimated from HUD fair-market rent.

What’s happening in Saluda, VA (23149)?

Click any question — our AI will research it live from the web and show you sources.

✨ Live AI + Web Search
Want to ask your own questions? Upgrade to Pro for unlimited custom queries.
3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

3.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

3.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $331,095
Avg Monthly Rent $1,323
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $91,981
% Renters 30.7%

Market Analysis: 23149 Saluda

The 23149 ZIP in Saluda, VA is a local-operator market. Outside capital chasing a $331K entry has to pair deep knowledge with the discount.

Rent of $1,323/mo on a $331K basis reads well until vacancy, delinquency, and capex enter the model. The honest cap rate in 23149 sits below the stated 0.0% once reality is priced in.

Statewide comparisons place 23149 among VA's softer markets. That context does not make the ZIP uninvestable, but it does raise the bar for due diligence.

Who lives in 23149 is part of why the ZIP is priced as it is. The demographic profile requires hands-on management, tight screening, and local knowledge.

Strategy in 23149 is an operator game, not a passive one. Turning to rents, entry prices of $331K are inviting, the management lift is real and non-optional.

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 Saluda:

C+ Average
Buy Confidence Score: 67/100
Affordability
15/25
Appreciation
22/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 3.6× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+3.1%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,323/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 23149

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
2BR
4.4% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
4BR
+7.7% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
3BR
$110,548/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $237,872 $1,470 4.4% +7.7% $118,936
3BR $331,644 $1,880 4.1% +7.5% $110,548
4BR $456,745 $2,330 3.7% +7.7% $114,186

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$348K$311K$274K$238K$201K$164KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

📊 How Does 23149 Compare?

Metric 23149 Saluda Virginia
Home Value $331,095 $331,095 $403,170
5-Year CAGR 5.5% 5.5% 6.4%
Avg Rent $1,323 $1,323 -
Cap Rate 3.1% 3.1% -
💡 Why Invest in 23149? 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 →
A great house in the wrong ZIP is still a bad deal — screen every market by cash flow & cap rate.
Open the Market Finder →
Free to search · investor plans from $19/mo

Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 23149 (Saluda, VA). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

Do you own or manage rentals in ZIP 23149 (Saluda, VA)?

~25 seconds · no account needed · your report is anonymous

Investability
Good
Cap Rate
3.1%
Low
5yr Growth
+5.5%
Moderate

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $331,095
Monthly Rent $1,323
Price-to-Rent 20.9:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 4.8%
Cap Rate 3.1%
5-Year IRR 8.6%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +3.1% ▲
3-Year CAGR +4.7% ▲
5-Year CAGR +5.5% ▲
10-Year CAGR +5.6% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 3.1%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (3.1%). 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
21.2%
Elevated risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+5.5%
Stable
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 23149

Population: 2,535

💰 Median Household Income
$91,981
This area
$91,981
State
$80,295
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
30.7%
This area
30.7%
State
25.7%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
0.7%
This area
0.7%
State
-18.5%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
15.0%
This area
15.0%
State
4.0%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
50.3 years
This area
50.3 years
State
9.9 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
21.2%
This area
21.2%
State
16.4%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 70.8%
Black/African American 14.7%
Other/Mixed 14.0%
Hispanic/Latino 9.5%
Asian 0.4%
👶 Under 18
7.7%
This area
7.7%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
23.3%
This area
23.3%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
5.0%
This area
5.0%
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

🎓 Schools in 23149

A+ Avg School Grade
1 Schools
11.5:1 Avg Class Size
$17,132 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A+ Excellent

Middlesex High

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
356 Students
👨‍🏫
11.5:1 Class Size
💰
$17,132 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

1 Nearby 318 Off-Campus Students
C
Rappahannock Community College
2,767 students · 0.5 mi

Frequently Asked Questions

Do rentals sit vacant long in Saluda, VA?

Rental vacancy in Saluda, VA is elevated. Investors should budget normal turnover but not chronic empty units.

Is house hacking profitable in Saluda, VA?

House hacking in Saluda, VA is reasonable to execute. Prices around $331K and rents of $1,323/mo solid owner-occupant economics.

Where do home prices stand in Saluda, VA?

Saluda, VA home values average about $331K. That price point suits investors targeting rentals with $1,323/mo in monthly income.

What do landlords charge for rent in Saluda, VA?

Rent in Saluda, VA is around $1,323/mo. The resulting rent-to-value relationship with $331K pricing is reasonable for most investor models.

How qualified is the tenant pool in Saluda, VA?

Expect a solid tenant pool in Saluda, VA. The rental market absorbs $1,323/mo rents without meaningful friction.

You know 23149 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 23149 compares to every other market. Investor ($19/mo) screens every U.S. ZIP by cap rate, the 1% rule, vacancy and landlord climate, and exports your shortlist.

Compare Plans

How 23149 ranks in Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
🤖

AI Market Advisor

Ask questions about investing in 23149 (Saluda)

Loading...

Community Ratings

What people who’ve spent time here actually say. Not paid reviews.

Be the first to rate 23149 (Saluda, VA).

It takes 30 seconds. No signup. Your rating helps everyone who comes here after you.