Real Estate Investing in Blackwater, Virginia (24221)

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

Lee County • Population: 717 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 24221 (Blackwater, VA)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
GOOD FIT
Grade B (72/100)

Solid choice — values are growing steadily and the market is stable enough to buy with confidence.

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

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: 48.4% of homes vacant — above national norms.

• Limited market data — this is a very small market; averages are built from few observations and can swing widely. • Modeled rent — no observed market rent for this ZIP; the figure is estimated from HUD fair-market rent.

What’s happening in Blackwater, VA (24221)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

3.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

4.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $150,933
Avg Monthly Rent $846
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $50,313
% Renters 0.9%

Market Analysis: 24221 Blackwater

This part of Lee County is not an easy win. The 24221 ZIP shows softness in key indicators, and the playbook that works in cleaner markets often stalls here.

Meanwhile, the numbers look inviting — $151K purchase price, 0.0% nominal cap — the work to hit that pro forma in 24221 is substantial and deserves full respect.

ZIP 24221's metrics run below Lee County's averages on price growth and tenant stability. Investors who ignore that regional gap tend to relearn it the hard way.

Employment concentration in 24221 leans toward sectors with higher volatility. The demographic consequence is income fluctuation that investors need to factor into their pro forma.

The right play in 24221 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 Blackwater:

B Good
Buy Confidence Score: 72/100
Affordability
20/25
Appreciation
22/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Affordable
Homes cost 3× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+3.3%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $846/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.

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$161K$142K$123K$104K$85K$66KMay 2009Dec 2017Jul 2026

📊 How Does 24221 Compare?

Metric 24221 Blackwater Virginia
Home Value $150,933 $150,933 $403,170
5-Year CAGR 6.6% 6.6% 6.4%
Avg Rent $846 $846 -
Cap Rate 4.4% 4.4% -
💡 Why Invest in 24221? Click to expand

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

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Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 24221 (Blackwater, VA). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
4.4%
Fair
5yr Growth
+6.6%
Strong

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $150,933
Monthly Rent $846
Price-to-Rent 14.9:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 6.7%
Cap Rate 4.4%
5-Year IRR 10.9%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +3.3% ▲
3-Year CAGR +6.8% ▲
5-Year CAGR +6.6% ▲
10-Year CAGR +6.4% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 4.4%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (4.4%). 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.

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⚠️ Risk Signals

Composite view of factors that can impact a ZIP's stability and your downside risk.

Vacancy
48.4%
Elevated risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+6.6%
Growing
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 24221

Population: 717

💰 Median Household Income
$50,313
This area
$50,313
State
$80,295
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
0.9%
This area
0.9%
State
25.7%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
0.9%
This area
0.9%
State
-18.5%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
19.5%
This area
19.5%
State
4.0%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
51.0 years
This area
51.0 years
State
9.9 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
48.4%
This area
48.4%
State
16.4%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 99.4%
Other/Mixed 0.6%
👶 Under 18
20.6%
This area
20.6%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
20.9%
This area
20.9%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
16.7%
This area
16.7%
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

How strong is Blackwater, VA for real estate investors?

Blackwater, VA scores 3.0/5 for investability. Home values sit at $151K and rents near $846/mo, which keeps the rent-to-price ratio in reasonable territory for buy-and-hold investors.

What is the average monthly rent in Blackwater, VA?

Rent in Blackwater, VA is around $846/mo. The resulting rent-to-value relationship with $151K pricing is reasonable for most investor models.

What is the median home value in Blackwater, VA?

Typical homes in Blackwater, VA go for around $151K. The 5-year CAGR of 0.0% consistent price movement.

How tight is the rental market in Blackwater, VA?

Blackwater, VA carries elevated vacancy risk. Expect steady absorption at market rents of $846/mo.

How strong is the working-renter base in Blackwater, VA?

Tenant demand in Blackwater, VA is solid. The local workforce $846/mo rents across most rental classes.

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