Real Estate Investing in Norfolk, Virginia (23508)

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

Norfolk City • Population: 20,119 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 23508 (Norfolk, VA)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
MIXED
Grade C (55/100)

Mixed — home prices are stretched relative to local incomes. Run the math on your specific situation.

📈 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
  • Elevated vacancy: 8.4% vacancy may signal weakening demand.

What’s happening in Norfolk, VA (23508)?

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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 $384,160
Avg Monthly Rent $1,924
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $73,075
% Renters 49.9%

Market Analysis: 23508 Norfolk

Investors eyeing 23508 need to respect the fundamentals at play. Home values of $384K come alongside slower price movement and elevated management overhead.

Stepping back, the numbers look inviting — $384K purchase price, 0.0% nominal cap — the work to hit that pro forma in 23508 is substantial and deserves full respect.

Within VA, ZIP 23508 trails on several market indicators that neighboring Norfolk City submarkets outperform. The gap is real and solid enough to shape underwriting.

A notable renter share of 50% in 23508 is not, on its own, a problem — but paired with below-average income and high mobility, it changes the operating playbook.

Strategy in 23508 is an operator game, not a passive one. From an investor standpoint, entry prices of $384K 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 Norfolk:

C+ Average
Buy Confidence Score: 64/100
Affordability
10/25
Appreciation
18/25
Stability
13/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Expensive
Homes cost 5.3× the median income
Value Trend
Stable (+2.5%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,924/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 23508

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
2BR
5.5% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
2BR
+5.2% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
5BR
$105,881/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $217,948 $1,680 5.5% +5.2% $108,974
3BR $348,906 $2,330 4.8% +5.1% $116,302
4BR $435,475 $2,740 4.5% +4.9% $108,869
5BR $529,406 +5.1% $105,881

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$400K$364K$327K$291K$255K$218KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

Rent History (with trend line)

$2,072$1,852$1,632$1,412$1,192$972Jul 2016Jul 2021Jul 2026

📊 How Does 23508 Compare?

Metric 23508 Norfolk Virginia
Home Value $384,160 $281,864 $403,170
5-Year CAGR 3.7% 4.1% 6.4%
Avg Rent $1,924 $1,780 -
Cap Rate 3.9% 4.3% -
💡 Why Invest in 23508? Click to expand

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

A healthy rental market with 50% renter-occupied households ensures tenant availability.

📊 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.
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Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 23508 (Norfolk, VA). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Property managers serving Norfolk City County

Manage rentals here? List your business →

Real Property Management helps protect investments, provide professional service, minimize costs, and maximize income for property owners. summary from their website

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OV Living offers 1 & 2 bedroom apartments in Norfolk, Virginia, with spacious layouts, light-filled rooms, and convenient features. summary from their website

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Unclaimed — is this your business? Claim it free

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
3.9%
Low
5yr Growth
+3.7%
Moderate

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $384,160
Monthly Rent $1,924
Price-to-Rent 16.6:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 6.0%
Cap Rate 3.9%
5-Year IRR 7.6%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +2.5% ▲
3-Year CAGR +2.5% ▲
5-Year CAGR +3.7% ▲
10-Year CAGR +4.3% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year +11.5% ▲
3-Year CAGR +7.1% ▲
5-Year CAGR +6.2% ▲
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 3.9%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (3.9%). 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
8.4%
Moderate risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+3.7%
Stable
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 23508

Population: 20,119

💰 Median Household Income
$73,075
This area
$73,075
State
$80,295
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
49.9%
This area
49.9%
State
25.7%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
5.3%
This area
5.3%
State
-18.5%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
56.3%
This area
56.3%
State
4.0%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
23.5 years
This area
23.5 years
State
9.9 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
8.4%
This area
8.4%
State
16.4%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 51.4%
Black/African American 35.3%
Other/Mixed 9.8%
Asian 3.6%
Hispanic/Latino 3.0%
👶 Under 18
15.6%
This area
15.6%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
9.7%
This area
9.7%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
6.8%
This area
6.8%
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 23508

B Avg School Grade
4 Schools
12.2:1 Avg Class Size
$15,833 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A Very Good

James Monroe Elementary

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
262 Students
👨‍🏫
9.0:1 Class Size
💰
$15,833 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Larchmont Elementary

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
490 Students
👨‍🏫
15.3:1 Class Size
💰
$15,833 Per Student
C Below Average

Madison Alternative Center

📚 Grade N Elementary Limited Data
💰
$15,833 Per Student
C Below Average

Norfolk Alternative Middle

📚 Grade N Elementary Limited Data
💰
$15,833 Per Student

Nearby Schools (5 more)

Schools in adjacent ZIP codes that may serve this area

A Very Good

Camp Allen Elementary

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
📍 501 C Street, Norfolk
👥
401 Students
👨‍🏫
11.8:1 Class Size
💰
$15,833 Per Student
A Very Good

Granby Elementary

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
📍 7101 Newport Ave, Norfolk
👥
486 Students
👨‍🏫
11.3:1 Class Size
💰
$15,833 Per Student
A Very Good

Willard Elementary

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
📍 1511 Willow Wood Dr, Norfolk
👥
449 Students
👨‍🏫
10.2:1 Class Size
💰
$15,833 Per Student
A Very Good

P.B. Young Sr. Elementary

📚 Pre-K – 02 Elementary
📍 543 E. Olney Rd, Norfolk
👥
217 Students
👨‍🏫
9.0:1 Class Size
💰
$15,833 Per Student
A Very Good

Academy for Discovery at Lakewood

📚 03 – 08 School
📍 1701 Alsace Ave, Norfolk
👥
730 Students
👨‍🏫
14.6:1 Class Size
💰
$15,833 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 5,182 Off-Campus Students
C+
Old Dominion University
22,541 students · 0.2 mi
C
Eastern Virginia Medical School
1,235 students · 1.7 mi
C
Tidewater Community College
15,912 students · 2.6 mi
C
Norfolk State University
6,045 students · 3.6 mi
C
Tidewater Tech-Trades
514 students · 4.3 mi
C
Centura College-Norfolk
193 students · 4.5 mi
D
Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Norfolk
237 students · 5.5 mi
C+
Central School of Practical Nursing
24 students · 5.6 mi

Investor Insight: With 5,182 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.

Frequently Asked Questions

What investment strategy works best in Norfolk, VA?

In Norfolk, VA the solid play is typically careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management. The combination of $384K prices and $1,924/mo rents suits that approach.

What is the typical renter like in Norfolk, VA?

Norfolk, VA offers a reliable renter base at the $1,924/mo rent level. Tenant turnover is reasonable for well-managed properties.

What is the typical rental rate in Norfolk, VA?

The typical rental in Norfolk, VA commands about $1,924/mo monthly. That rent profile predictable cash flow against the $384K purchase basis.

Is rental property easy to operate in Norfolk, VA?

Landlord-friendliness in Norfolk, VA is landlord-friendly. Eviction timelines and lease enforcement are considered reasonable by most property managers.

Are there empty rentals in Norfolk, VA?

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

You know 23508 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

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How 23508 ranks in Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC

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