Real Estate Investing in Wake, Virginia (23176)

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

Middlesex County • Population: 608 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 23176 (Wake, VA)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
CAUTION
Grade D (52/100)

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
1 flag
  • High vacancy: 32.7% of homes vacant — above national norms.

• 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 Wake, VA (23176)?

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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 $359,594
Avg Monthly Rent $1,233
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $70,217
% Renters 11.5%

Market Analysis: 23176 Wake

Not every below-median market is a bargain. Wake's 23176 ZIP reports signals that favor experienced operators who can absorb the risk $360K pricing implies.

For an experienced owner, 23176 can be a a viable market for hunting ground — but the discount at $360K reflects genuine risk that outside investors often underestimate.

Nearby ZIPs in Wake have seen price recovery that 23176 has not matched. Middlesex County data supports the view that the spread is structural rather than temporary.

Who lives in 23176 is part of why the ZIP is priced as it is. The demographic profile requires hands-on management, tight screening, and local knowledge.

looks to the ZIP is not uninvestable, but it is unforgiving. Section 8 landlords, local operators, and specialized value-add funds are the investor types that tend to succeed.

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 Wake:

C+ Average
Buy Confidence Score: 62/100
Affordability
10/25
Appreciation
22/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Expensive
Homes cost 5.1× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+4.0%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,233/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.

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$374K$335K$297K$258K$219K$181KJun 2008Jul 2017Jul 2026

📊 How Does 23176 Compare?

Metric 23176 Wake Virginia
Home Value $359,594 $359,594 $403,170
5-Year CAGR 5.5% 5.5% 6.4%
Avg Rent $1,233 $1,233 -
Cap Rate 2.7% 2.7% -
💡 Why Invest in 23176? Click to expand

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

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Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 23176 (Wake, VA). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
2.7%
Low
5yr Growth
+5.5%
Moderate

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $359,594
Monthly Rent $1,233
Price-to-Rent 24.3:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 4.1%
Cap Rate 2.7%
5-Year IRR 8.2%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +4.0% ▲
3-Year CAGR +3.4% ▲
5-Year CAGR +5.5% ▲
10-Year CAGR +5.5% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 2.7%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (2.7%). 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
32.7%
Elevated risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+5.5%
Stable
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 23176

Population: 608

💰 Median Household Income
$70,217
This area
$70,217
State
$80,295
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
11.5%
This area
11.5%
State
25.7%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
0.0%
This area
0.0%
State
-18.5%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
46.2%
This area
46.2%
State
4.0%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
61.4 years
This area
61.4 years
State
9.9 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
32.7%
This area
32.7%
State
16.4%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 75.7%
Black/African American 24.3%
👶 Under 18
10.8%
This area
10.8%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
35.3%
This area
35.3%
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 318 Off-Campus Students
C
Rappahannock Community College
2,767 students · 11.2 mi

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Wake, VA good for house hacking?

Wake, VA is a a challenging market for house hackers. FHA or conventional owner-occupant buyers find the $360K price point reasonable to enter.

What kind of tenants rent in Wake, VA?

Tenant demand in Wake, VA is solid. The local workforce $1,233/mo rents across most rental classes.

What are rental rates like in Wake, VA?

Wake, VA rentals go for roughly $1,233/mo a month. That puts gross yield in solid territory relative to $360K acquisition costs.

Does Wake, VA favor landlords or tenants?

For rental operators, Wake, VA rates as landlord-friendly. The regulatory environment standard buy-and-hold operations.

What real estate strategy is ideal for Wake, VA?

Investors who focus on careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management typically do well in Wake, VA. The numbers - $360K homes against $1,233/mo rents - support that play.

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