Real Estate Investing in Norfolk, Virginia (23517)

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

Norfolk City • Population: 4,550 • Data updated: September 2026

☆ Watch this market Free account

Should you buy in 23517 (Norfolk, VA)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
MIXED
Grade C (65/100)

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

📈 For Investors
MIXED
3.0 / 5 (52/100)

A cash-flow market — rent-to-price math works from day one, though value growth is modest. Great for income-focused investors.

⚠️ Risks to Know
CLEAN

No major risk flags on the data we track.

What’s happening in Norfolk, VA (23517)?

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

2.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

4.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $328,492
Avg Monthly Rent $1,782
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $55,536
% Renters 76.2%

Market Analysis: 23517 Norfolk

ZIP 23517 in Norfolk, VA carries a sturdy set of headwinds. Home values near $328K and rents of $1,782/mo sit inside a market where underwriting has to be tight.

Distressed markets are won on execution, not on spreadsheets. ZIP 23517 stands at the profile where tenant screening, deferred maintenance, and local relationships determine the outcome.

In the broader VA picture, 23517 is a reminder that not every low-priced ZIP is a value-add opportunity — some are simply distressed, and the difference matters.

Who lives in 23517 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 23517 is an operator game, not a passive one. Meanwhile, entry prices of $328K 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 Below Average
Buy Confidence Score: 54/100
Affordability
10/25
Appreciation
14/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Expensive
Homes cost 5.9× the median income
Value Trend
Stable (+1.1%)
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.
🏠

Property Strategy for 23517

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
2BR
4.8% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
4BR
+4.7% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
4BR
$119,797/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $250,437 $1,660 4.8% +3.9% $125,219
3BR $395,384 $2,300 4.2% +4.5% $131,795
4BR $479,188 $2,710 4.1% +4.7% $119,797
5BR $652,230 +4.4% $130,446

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$341K$314K$287K$261K$234K$208KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

Rent History (with trend line)

$1,837$1,677$1,517$1,357$1,196$1,036Jan 2018May 2022Jul 2026

📊 How Does 23517 Compare?

Metric 23517 Norfolk Virginia
Home Value $328,492 $281,864 $403,170
5-Year CAGR 2.7% 4.1% 6.4%
Avg Rent $1,782 $1,780 -
Cap Rate 4.2% 4.3% -
💡 Why Invest in 23517? Click to expand

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

76% of households rent in this area, creating consistent tenant demand for landlords.

📊 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 23517 (Norfolk, VA). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

Do you own or manage rentals in ZIP 23517 (Norfolk, VA)?

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

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

Unclaimed — is this your business? Claim it free

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

Unclaimed — is this your business? Claim it free
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
4.2%
Fair
5yr Growth
+2.7%
Slow

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $328,492
Monthly Rent $1,782
Price-to-Rent 15.4:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 6.5%
Cap Rate 4.2%
5-Year IRR 7.0%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +1.1% ▲
3-Year CAGR +1.5% ▲
5-Year CAGR +2.7% ▲
10-Year CAGR +3.5% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year +15.1% ▲
3-Year CAGR +7.5% ▲
5-Year CAGR +6.8% ▲
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 4.2%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (4.2%). 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
4.9%
Low risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+2.7%
Stable
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 23517

Population: 4,550

💰 Median Household Income
$55,536
This area
$55,536
State
$80,295
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
76.2%
This area
76.2%
State
25.7%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
2.2%
This area
2.2%
State
-18.5%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
52.9%
This area
52.9%
State
4.0%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
37.0 years
This area
37.0 years
State
9.9 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
4.9%
This area
4.9%
State
16.4%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 64.9%
Black/African American 21.5%
Other/Mixed 9.4%
Hispanic/Latino 5.5%
Asian 4.2%
👶 Under 18
9.1%
This area
9.1%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
15.5%
This area
15.5%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
5.3%
This area
5.3%
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 23517

B+ Avg School Grade
3 Schools
13.9:1 Avg Class Size
$15,833 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A Very Good

Ghent K-8

📚 K – 08 School
👥
501 Students
👨‍🏫
12.5:1 Class Size
💰
$15,833 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Blair Middle

📚 06 – 08 Middle
👥
1,072 Students
👨‍🏫
13.1:1 Class Size
💰
$15,833 Per Student
B Good

Matthew Fontaine Maury High

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
1,736 Students
👨‍🏫
16.1:1 Class Size
💰
$15,833 Per Student

Nearby Schools (5 more)

Schools in adjacent ZIP codes that may serve this area

A Very Good

Chesterfield Elementary

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
📍 2915 Westminster Ave, Norfolk
👥
302 Students
👨‍🏫
10.4:1 Class Size
💰
$15,833 Per Student
A Very Good

Ruffner School

📚 03 – 08 School
📍 610 May Ave., Norfolk
👥
540 Students
👨‍🏫
10.4:1 Class Size
💰
$15,833 Per Student
A Very Good

Southside STEM Academy at Campostella

📚 K – 08 School
📍 1106 Campostella Rd., Norfolk
👥
701 Students
👨‍🏫
11.7:1 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

James Monroe Elementary

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
📍 520 W 29th St, Norfolk
👥
262 Students
👨‍🏫
9.0:1 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
Eastern Virginia Medical School
1,235 students · 0.8 mi
C
Tidewater Community College
15,912 students · 1.3 mi
C+
Old Dominion University
22,541 students · 1.4 mi
C
Norfolk State University
6,045 students · 2.2 mi
C
Tidewater Tech-Trades
514 students · 3.2 mi
C
Centura College-Norfolk
193 students · 4.3 mi
C+
Central School of Practical Nursing
24 students · 4.5 mi
D
Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Norfolk
237 students · 5.2 mi

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

Frequently Asked Questions

How strict are landlord regulations in Norfolk, VA?

The landlord environment in Norfolk, VA is landlord-friendly. Statewide rules shape most day-to-day operations for rental owners.

Is Norfolk, VA suited for a house hack?

House hacking in Norfolk, VA is a challenging. With home values around $328K and rents at $1,782/mo, owner-occupants can offset a meaningful share of PITI.

What price range are homes in Norfolk, VA?

Norfolk, VA home values average about $328K. That price point suits investors targeting rentals with $1,782/mo in monthly income.

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

Our data puts Norfolk, VA at 3.0/5 for investability. Home prices of $328K and rents around $1,782/mo create a solid backdrop for investor activity.

How deep is the rental pool in Norfolk, VA?

Tenant demand in Norfolk, VA is solid. The local workforce $1,782/mo rents across most rental classes.

You know 23517 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 23517 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 23517 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 23517 (Norfolk)

Loading...

Community Ratings

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

Be the first to rate 23517 (Norfolk, VA).

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