Real Estate Investing in Melfa, Virginia (23418)

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

Accomack County • Population: 742 • Data updated: September 2026

☆ Watch this market Free account

Should you buy in 23418 (Melfa, 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: 30.0% 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 Melfa, VA (23418)?

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 $259,037
Avg Monthly Rent $909
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $47,219
% Renters 24.9%

Market Analysis: 23418 Melfa

The 23418 ZIP covers a section of Melfa that demands careful diligence. Prices near $259K look accessible, but the work to make a deal cash flow is real.

If the plan assumes clean turnover, on-time rent, and low maintenance on a $259K asset, 23418 is the wrong submarket. If the plan prices in friction, the yield can still work.

In the broader VA picture, 23418 is a reminder that not every low-priced ZIP is a value-add opportunity — some are simply distressed, and the difference matters.

The demographic picture in 23418 includes headwinds that any investor should price in. Income distribution skews lower than Melfa averages, and tenant stability requires active management.

Strategically, 23418 can be a high-return sleeve of a diversified portfolio — but it should not be the whole portfolio, and it should not be someone's first deal.

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 Melfa:

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 5.5× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+5.1%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $909/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)

$271K$244K$216K$189K$161K$134KFeb 2016May 2021Jul 2026

📊 How Does 23418 Compare?

Metric 23418 Melfa Virginia
Home Value $259,037 $248,597 $403,170
5-Year CAGR 5.5% 4.6% 6.4%
Avg Rent $909 $954 -
Cap Rate 2.7% 3.0% -
💡 Why Invest in 23418? 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 23418 (Melfa, VA). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

Do you own or manage rentals in ZIP 23418 (Melfa, VA)?

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

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

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $259,037
Monthly Rent $909
Price-to-Rent 23.8:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 4.2%
Cap Rate 2.7%
5-Year IRR 8.2%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +5.1% ▲
3-Year CAGR +4.0% ▲
5-Year CAGR +5.5% ▲
10-Year CAGR +6.1% ▲

🏠 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
30.0%
Elevated risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+5.5%
Stable
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 23418

Population: 742

💰 Median Household Income
$47,219
This area
$47,219
State
$80,295
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
24.9%
This area
24.9%
State
25.7%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
3.0%
This area
3.0%
State
-18.5%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
25.5%
This area
25.5%
State
4.0%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
40.7 years
This area
40.7 years
State
9.9 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
30.0%
This area
30.0%
State
16.4%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 69.1%
Other/Mixed 29.7%
Hispanic/Latino 26.6%
Black/African American 1.3%
👶 Under 18
14.8%
This area
14.8%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
16.2%
This area
16.2%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
4.3%
This area
4.3%
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 23418

B+ Avg School Grade
3 Schools
10.2:1 Avg Class Size
$15,423 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A Very Good

Nandua High

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
632 Students
👨‍🏫
9.4:1 Class Size
💰
$15,423 Per Student
A Very Good

Nandua Middle

📚 06 – 08 Middle
👥
468 Students
👨‍🏫
10.9:1 Class Size
💰
$15,423 Per Student
C+ Average

Badger Vocational Education Center - South

📚 Grade N Elementary Limited Data
💰
$15,423 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 144 Off-Campus Students
C
Eastern Shore Community College
720 students · 4.5 mi

Frequently Asked Questions

Is vacancy a concern in Melfa, VA?

Expect elevated vacancy in Melfa, VA. Rents at $909/mo are absorbed by the tenant base without meaningful lag.

How should investors approach Melfa, VA?

Most investors in Melfa, 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.

Are rents high in Melfa, VA?

Rents in Melfa, VA run near $909/mo. Compared with median home prices of $259K that produces solid gross yields for typical rentals.

Is Melfa, VA a friendly market for rental owners?

Melfa, VA falls under VA landlord-tenant law, which is landlord-friendly. That backdrop makes day-to-day property management reasonable.

Is Melfa, VA a good place for real estate investing?

Yes - Melfa, VA a 3.0/5 investability score. With $259K home prices against $909/mo monthly rent, the market delivers a reasonable entry point for new investors.

You know 23418 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 23418 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
🤖

AI Market Advisor

Ask questions about investing in 23418 (Melfa)

Loading...

Community Ratings

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

Be the first to rate 23418 (Melfa, VA).

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