Real Estate Investing in Norfolk, Virginia (23518)

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

Norfolk City • Population: 28,957 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 23518 (Norfolk, VA)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
MIXED
Grade C (67/100)

Mixed signals — some positives, some negatives. Worth considering but not a slam-dunk.

📈 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 (23518)?

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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 $347,553
Avg Monthly Rent $2,030
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $71,313
% Renters 43.5%

Market Analysis: 23518 Norfolk

Investors eyeing 23518 need to respect the fundamentals at play. Home values of $348K come alongside slower price movement and elevated management overhead.

On the rental side, the numbers look inviting — $348K purchase price, 0.0% nominal cap — the work to hit that pro forma in 23518 is substantial and deserves full respect.

From an investor standpoint, 23518 offers a low basis, the region around Norfolk has moved on in ways that the ZIP itself has not fully absorbed. The result is a discount with genuine reasons.

Resident income in 23518 sits below the county median. That reality colors rent collection, vacancy, and reinvestment math in ways that outside investors often underestimate.

Strategy in 23518 is an operator game, not a passive one. Looking more closely, entry prices of $348K 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
Moderate
Homes cost 4.9× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+4.5%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $2,030/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 23518

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
3BR
5.2% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
2BR
+6.8% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
4BR
$96,204/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $280,427 $1,660 4.3% +6.8% $140,213
3BR $315,741 $2,300 5.2% +6.0% $105,247
4BR $384,815 $2,710 5.1% +6.0% $96,204
5BR $519,404 +6.3% $103,881

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$359K$325K$291K$256K$222K$188KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

Rent History (with trend line)

$2,116$1,868$1,620$1,371$1,123$875Jul 2016Jul 2021Jul 2026

📊 How Does 23518 Compare?

Metric 23518 Norfolk Virginia
Home Value $347,553 $281,864 $403,170
5-Year CAGR 4.5% 4.1% 6.4%
Avg Rent $2,030 $1,780 -
Cap Rate 4.6% 4.3% -
💡 Why Invest in 23518? Click to expand

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

A healthy rental market with 44% 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 23518 (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
4.6%
Fair
5yr Growth
+4.5%
Moderate

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $347,553
Monthly Rent $2,030
Price-to-Rent 14.3:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 7.0%
Cap Rate 4.6%
5-Year IRR 9.0%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +4.5% ▲
3-Year CAGR +3.4% ▲
5-Year CAGR +4.5% ▲
10-Year CAGR +5.0% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year +7.8% ▲
3-Year CAGR +7.6% ▲
5-Year CAGR +8.3% ▲
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 4.6%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (4.6%). 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
7.9%
Low risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+4.5%
Stable
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 23518

Population: 28,957

💰 Median Household Income
$71,313
This area
$71,313
State
$80,295
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
43.5%
This area
43.5%
State
25.7%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
2.7%
This area
2.7%
State
-18.5%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
30.7%
This area
30.7%
State
4.0%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
37.4 years
This area
37.4 years
State
9.9 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
7.9%
This area
7.9%
State
16.4%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 62.6%
Black/African American 21.0%
Other/Mixed 11.2%
Hispanic/Latino 6.7%
Asian 5.2%
👶 Under 18
19.7%
This area
19.7%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
16.2%
This area
16.2%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
5.8%
This area
5.8%
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 23518

A Avg School Grade
5 Schools
13.3:1 Avg Class Size
$15,833 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A Very Good

Crossroads PreK-8 School

📚 Pre-K – 08 School
👥
750 Students
👨‍🏫
11.7:1 Class Size
💰
$15,833 Per Student
A Very Good

Little Creek Elementary

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
592 Students
👨‍🏫
11.6:1 Class Size
💰
$15,833 Per Student
A Very Good

Tarrallton Elementary

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
300 Students
👨‍🏫
12.5:1 Class Size
💰
$15,833 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Azalea Gardens Middle

📚 06 – 08 Middle
👥
808 Students
👨‍🏫
15.0:1 Class Size
💰
$15,833 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Larrymore Elementary

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
576 Students
👨‍🏫
15.6:1 Class Size
💰
$15,833 Per Student

Nearby Schools (5 more)

Schools in adjacent ZIP codes that may serve this area

A Very Good

Coleman Place Elementary

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
📍 2445 Palmyra St., Norfolk
👥
560 Students
👨‍🏫
13.0:1 Class Size
💰
$15,833 Per Student
A Very Good

Norview Elementary

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
📍 6401 Chesapeake Blvd, Norfolk
👥
375 Students
👨‍🏫
13.4:1 Class Size
💰
$15,833 Per Student
A Very Good

Sherwood Forest Elementary

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
📍 3035 Sherwood Forest Lane, Norfolk
👥
439 Students
👨‍🏫
13.7:1 Class Size
💰
$15,833 Per Student
A Very Good

Tanners Creek Elementary

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
📍 1335 Longdale Dr, Norfolk
👥
517 Students
👨‍🏫
13.6:1 Class Size
💰
$15,833 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Norview Middle

📚 06 – 08 Middle
📍 6325 Sewells Point Rd, Norfolk
👥
1,152 Students
👨‍🏫
13.1:1 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 1,507 Off-Campus Students
D
Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Norfolk
237 students · 0.2 mi
C
Centura College-Norfolk
193 students · 1.1 mi
C+
Central School of Practical Nursing
24 students · 3.3 mi
C
Tidewater Tech-Trades
514 students · 3.6 mi
C
Virginia Wesleyan University
1,711 students · 3.7 mi
F
Fortis College-Norfolk
431 students · 5.0 mi
C
Norfolk State University
6,045 students · 5.3 mi
C+
Old Dominion University
22,541 students · 5.4 mi

Investor Insight: With 1,507 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should investors consider Norfolk, VA?

With a 3.0/5 investability score, Norfolk, VA ranks as a solid market for rental property investors. Median prices of $348K and rents of $2,030/mo drive the underlying numbers.

How qualified is the tenant pool in Norfolk, VA?

The tenant pool in Norfolk, VA is solid, supported by local employment and population fundamentals. Rents of $2,030/mo are well-absorbed by the market.

What are vacancy rates like in Norfolk, VA?

Vacancy in Norfolk, VA is elevated, which keeps landlord downtime on reasonable timelines. Most properties lease within the standard window at $2,030/mo.

Are landlord laws favorable in Norfolk, VA?

Norfolk, VA operates under VA law, which is landlord-friendly overall for landlords. Expect steady treatment in typical lease and eviction cases.

How much is rent in Norfolk, VA?

Norfolk, VA rentals go for roughly $2,030/mo a month. That puts gross yield in solid territory relative to $348K acquisition costs.

You know 23518 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

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How 23518 ranks in Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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