Real Estate Investing in Norfolk, Virginia (23505)

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

Norfolk City • Population: 28,983 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 23505 (Norfolk, VA)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
MIXED
Grade C (58/100)

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: 9.0% vacancy may signal weakening demand.

What’s happening in Norfolk, VA (23505)?

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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 $331,625
Avg Monthly Rent $1,582
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $56,919
% Renters 65.5%

Market Analysis: 23505 Norfolk

This part of Norfolk City is not an easy win. The 23505 ZIP comes in at softness in key indicators, and the playbook that works in cleaner markets often stalls here.

If the plan assumes clean turnover, on-time rent, and low maintenance on a $332K asset, 23505 is the wrong submarket. If the plan prices in friction, the yield can still work.

Statewide comparisons place 23505 among VA's softer markets. That context does not make the ZIP uninvestable, but it does raise the bar for due diligence.

The 23505 ZIP's population of 28,983 has faced economic pressure over the last decade. That pressure shows up in rent delinquency patterns that clocks in at the need for careful underwriting.

The right play in 23505 usually involves deep tenant screening, aggressive delinquency response, and a conservative capex buffer. Anything less, and the discount can turn into a trap.

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 5.8× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+4.9%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,582/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 23505

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
2BR
5.8% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
2BR
+7.0% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
4BR
$98,973/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $205,146 $1,650 5.8% +7.0% $102,573
3BR $298,039 $2,290 5.5% +6.0% $99,346
4BR $395,892 $2,690 4.9% +6.0% $98,973
5BR $611,998 +5.7% $122,400

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$345K$311K$277K$243K$210K$176KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

Rent History (with trend line)

$1,749$1,607$1,465$1,323$1,181$1,038Aug 2021Feb 2024Jul 2026

📊 How Does 23505 Compare?

Metric 23505 Norfolk Virginia
Home Value $331,625 $281,864 $403,170
5-Year CAGR 4.4% 4.1% 6.4%
Avg Rent $1,582 $1,780 -
Cap Rate 3.7% 4.3% -
💡 Why Invest in 23505? Click to expand

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

66% of households rent in this area, creating consistent tenant demand for landlords.

📊 See where this ZIP ranks in our Best-of lists →
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Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 23505 (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
3.7%
Low
5yr Growth
+4.4%
Moderate

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $331,625
Monthly Rent $1,582
Price-to-Rent 17.5:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 5.7%
Cap Rate 3.7%
5-Year IRR 8.1%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +4.9% ▲
3-Year CAGR +3.5% ▲
5-Year CAGR +4.4% ▲
10-Year CAGR +5.1% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year +9.5% ▲
3-Year CAGR +8.3% ▲
5-Year CAGR +7.6% ▲
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 3.7%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (3.7%). 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
9.0%
Moderate risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+4.4%
Stable
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 23505

Population: 28,983

💰 Median Household Income
$56,919
This area
$56,919
State
$80,295
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
65.5%
This area
65.5%
State
25.7%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
4.2%
This area
4.2%
State
-18.5%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
32.7%
This area
32.7%
State
4.0%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
32.0 years
This area
32.0 years
State
9.9 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
9.0%
This area
9.0%
State
16.4%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 47.8%
Black/African American 35.0%
Other/Mixed 12.1%
Hispanic/Latino 6.7%
Asian 5.1%
👶 Under 18
25.8%
This area
25.8%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
11.5%
This area
11.5%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
10.0%
This area
10.0%
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

🎓 Schools in 23505

B+ Avg School Grade
6 Schools
13.3:1 Avg Class Size
$15,833 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A Very Good

Camp Allen Elementary

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

Granby Elementary

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

Sewells Point Elementary

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
523 Students
👨‍🏫
13.1:1 Class Size
💰
$15,833 Per Student
A Very Good

Suburban Park Elementary

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
447 Students
👨‍🏫
14.0:1 Class Size
💰
$15,833 Per Student
B Good

Granby High

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
1,850 Students
👨‍🏫
16.2:1 Class Size
💰
$15,833 Per Student
C Below Average

Norfolk Alternative High

📚 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

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
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
A Very Good

Bay View Elementary

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
📍 1434 Bay View Blvd, Norfolk
👥
502 Students
👨‍🏫
13.9:1 Class Size
💰
$15,833 Per Student
A Very Good

Mary Calcott Elementary

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
📍 137 Westmont Avenue, Norfolk
👥
426 Students
👨‍🏫
13.3:1 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 · 2.1 mi
C
Centura College-Norfolk
193 students · 3.2 mi
C
Eastern Virginia Medical School
1,235 students · 3.8 mi
D
Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Norfolk
237 students · 4.1 mi
C
Tidewater Community College
15,912 students · 4.4 mi
C
Tidewater Tech-Trades
514 students · 4.6 mi
C
Norfolk State University
6,045 students · 4.8 mi
C+
Central School of Practical Nursing
24 students · 5.4 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 type of investing works in Norfolk, VA?

A careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management strategy Norfolk, VA best. The market produces measured results for that approach at the $332K price point.

What is the typical home price in Norfolk, VA?

In Norfolk, VA the median home value sits at $332K. Against the broader VA market, that reads as reasonable for most investors.

Where do rents currently stand in Norfolk, VA?

Investors in Norfolk, VA typically see rents near $1,582/mo per month against $332K home values - a solid setup for rental cash flow.

What are vacancy rates like in Norfolk, VA?

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

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.

You know 23505 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

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How 23505 ranks in Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC

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