Real Estate Investing in Franklin, Virginia (23851)

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

Franklin City • Population: 13,481 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 23851 (Franklin, VA)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
MIXED
Grade C (65/100)

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

📈 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: 12.3% of homes vacant — above national norms.

• Modeled rent — no observed market rent for this ZIP; the figure is estimated from HUD fair-market rent.

What’s happening in Franklin, VA (23851)?

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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 $251,021
Avg Monthly Rent $990
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $61,416
% Renters 37.5%

Market Analysis: 23851 Franklin

ZIP 23851 in Franklin, VA carries a impressive set of headwinds. Home values near $251K and rents of $990/mo sit inside a market where underwriting has to be tight.

Rent of $990/mo on a $251K basis reads well until vacancy, delinquency, and capex enter the model. The honest cap rate in 23851 sits below the stated 0.0% once reality is priced in.

Nearby ZIPs in Franklin have seen price recovery that 23851 has not matched. Franklin City data supports the view that the spread is structural rather than temporary.

Who lives in 23851 is part of why the ZIP is priced as it is. The demographic profile requires hands-on management, tight screening, and local knowledge.

Strategically, 23851 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 Franklin:

B Good
Buy Confidence Score: 74/100
Affordability
15/25
Appreciation
25/25
Stability
11/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 4.1× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+6.5%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $990/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 23851

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
2BR
5.9% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
2BR
+8.8% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
2BR
$67,508/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $135,017 $1,100 5.9% +8.8% $67,508
3BR $239,750 $1,440 4.3% +8.6% $79,917
4BR $332,719 $1,840 4.0% +8.4% $83,180
5BR $409,557 +8.3% $81,911

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$263K$232K$201K$169K$138K$107KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

📊 How Does 23851 Compare?

Metric 23851 Franklin Virginia
Home Value $251,021 $125,511 $403,170
5-Year CAGR 7.1% 7.1% 6.4%
Avg Rent $990 $990 -
Cap Rate 3.1% 3.1% -
💡 Why Invest in 23851? Click to expand

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

A healthy rental market with 38% 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 23851 (Franklin, VA). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

Do you own or manage rentals in ZIP 23851 (Franklin, VA)?

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
3.1%
Low
5yr Growth
+7.1%
Strong

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $251,021
Monthly Rent $990
Price-to-Rent 21.1:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 4.7%
Cap Rate 3.1%
5-Year IRR 10.2%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +6.5% ▲
3-Year CAGR +5.1% ▲
5-Year CAGR +7.1% ▲
10-Year CAGR +7.3% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 3.1%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (3.1%). 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
12.3%
Moderate risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+7.1%
Growing
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 23851

Population: 13,481

💰 Median Household Income
$61,416
This area
$61,416
State
$80,295
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
37.5%
This area
37.5%
State
25.7%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
3.4%
This area
3.4%
State
-18.5%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
22.9%
This area
22.9%
State
4.0%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
41.9 years
This area
41.9 years
State
9.9 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
12.3%
This area
12.3%
State
16.4%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
Black/African American 46.0%
White 45.3%
Other/Mixed 6.6%
Asian 2.1%
Hispanic/Latino 1.8%
👶 Under 18
23.1%
This area
23.1%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
19.6%
This area
19.6%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
7.0%
This area
7.0%
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 23851

A Avg School Grade
4 Schools
12.6:1 Avg Class Size
$19,412 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A+ Excellent

Franklin High

📚 08 – 12 High School
👥
375 Students
👨‍🏫
11.4:1 Class Size
💰
$20,659 Per Student
A+ Excellent

S.P. Morton Elementary

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
485 Students
👨‍🏫
13.5:1 Class Size
💰
$20,659 Per Student
A Very Good

Joseph P. King Jr. Middle

📚 06 – 07 Middle
👥
155 Students
👨‍🏫
12.9:1 Class Size
💰
$20,659 Per Student
C Below Average

Fresh Start Center

📚 Grade N Elementary Limited Data
💰
$15,672 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 280 Off-Campus Students
C
Paul D Camp Community College
1,168 students · 1.9 mi

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a house cost in Franklin, VA?

The median home value in Franklin, VA is roughly $251K. That puts it reasonable relative to the VA statewide average.

What is the renter demographic in Franklin, VA?

Tenant demand in Franklin, VA is solid. The local workforce $990/mo rents across most rental classes.

What type of investing works in Franklin, VA?

In Franklin, VA the durable play is typically careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management. The combination of $251K prices and $990/mo rents suits that approach.

What is the rental occupancy rate in Franklin, VA?

Rental vacancy in Franklin, VA is elevated. Investors should budget normal turnover but not chronic empty units.

How do landlord-tenant laws work in Franklin, VA?

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

You know 23851 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

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How 23851 ranks in Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC

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Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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