Real Estate Investing in Wakefield, Virginia (23888)

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

Sussex County • Population: 2,563 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 23888 (Wakefield, VA)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
MIXED
Grade C (60/100)

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: 16.3% 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 Wakefield, VA (23888)?

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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 $215,329
Avg Monthly Rent $1,071
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $61,797
% Renters 32.9%

Market Analysis: 23888 Wakefield

The 23888 ZIP covers a section of Wakefield that demands careful diligence. Prices near $215K look accessible, but the work to make a deal cash flow is real.

Distressed markets are won on execution, not on spreadsheets. ZIP 23888 records the profile where tenant screening, deferred maintenance, and local relationships determine the outcome.

The gap between 23888 and stronger Wakefield ZIPs is not closing quickly. Investors should weight long-horizon assumptions accordingly.

The demographic picture in 23888 includes headwinds that any investor should price in. Income distribution skews lower than Wakefield averages, and tenant stability requires active management.

Distressed ZIPs reward experience. resilient returns are possible in 23888, but they flow to investors who already understand how to operate in soft markets.

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 Wakefield:

B Good
Buy Confidence Score: 72/100
Affordability
20/25
Appreciation
22/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 3.5× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+8.3%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,071/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.
⚖️
BALANCED MARKET
Richmond, VA Metro Area
Even conditions for buyers and sellers
31 days
Average time to sell
Average
11.4%
Listings with price cuts
Few Cuts
0.0%
Sale price vs asking
Below Ask
0.0%
Income needed for mortgage
Affordable
📅 Market conditions as of August 29, 2026 — updated weekly from Richmond, VA metro data
🏠

Property Strategy for 23888

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
2BR
7.2% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
3BR
+6.3% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
2BR
$59,498/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $118,995 $1,190 7.2% +2.9% $59,498
3BR $204,198 $1,520 5.4% +6.3% $68,066
4BR $299,704 $1,880 4.5% +5.5% $74,926

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$226K$203K$179K$156K$132K$109KJan 2010May 2018Jul 2026

📊 How Does 23888 Compare?

Metric 23888 Wakefield Richmond, VA Virginia
Home Value $215,329 $215,329 N/A $403,170
5-Year CAGR 6.4% 6.4% N/A 6.4%
Avg Rent $1,071 $1,071 N/A -
Cap Rate 3.9% 3.9% - -
💡 Why Invest in 23888? Click to expand

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

📊 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 23888 (Wakefield, VA). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
3.9%
Low
5yr Growth
+6.4%
Strong

📉 Market Crash Risk Index

Based on Richmond, VA metro

0/10
Low Risk
Price YoY
0/3
N/A
Rent YoY
0/2
N/A
Below List
0/3
29%
Days Pending
0/2
31 days

View all metro crash risk rankings →

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $215,329
Monthly Rent $1,071
Price-to-Rent 16.8:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 6.0%
Cap Rate 3.9%
5-Year IRR 10.3%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +8.3% ▲
3-Year CAGR +2.4% ▲
5-Year CAGR +6.4% ▲
10-Year CAGR +5.6% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
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
16.3%
Elevated risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+6.4%
Growing
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 23888

Population: 2,563

💰 Median Household Income
$61,797
This area
$61,797
State
$80,295
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
32.9%
This area
32.9%
State
25.7%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
1.8%
This area
1.8%
State
-18.5%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
18.8%
This area
18.8%
State
4.0%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
37.9 years
This area
37.9 years
State
9.9 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
16.3%
This area
16.3%
State
16.4%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
Black/African American 51.6%
White 40.9%
Other/Mixed 5.4%
Hispanic/Latino 2.7%
Asian 2.0%
👶 Under 18
16.0%
This area
16.0%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
18.5%
This area
18.5%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
4.1%
This area
4.1%
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

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average home sale price in Wakefield, VA?

Expect median prices around $215K in Wakefield, VA. The market has run at a 0.0% 5-year CAGR, so entry costs have been predictable.

Is Wakefield, VA landlord-friendly?

VA law landlord-friendly for landlords, and Wakefield inherits those rules. Investors should still review local ordinances for rental licensing.

What is the tenant pool like in Wakefield, VA?

Expect a solid tenant pool in Wakefield, VA. The rental market absorbs $1,071/mo rents without meaningful friction.

Does house hacking work in Wakefield, VA?

House hacking in Wakefield, VA is reasonable to execute. Prices around $215K and rents of $1,071/mo solid owner-occupant economics.

What real estate strategy is ideal for Wakefield, VA?

Wakefield, VA investors pursuing careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management. The underlying economics ($215K prices, $1,071/mo rents) make it a reasonable choice.

You know 23888 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 23888 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.

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How 23888 ranks in Richmond, VA

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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