Real Estate Investing in Rural Retreat, Virginia (24368)

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

Wythe County • Population: 5,372 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 24368 (Rural Retreat, 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: 14.1% 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 Rural Retreat, VA (24368)?

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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 $211,827
Avg Monthly Rent $819
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $64,000
% Renters 13.8%

Market Analysis: 24368 Rural Retreat

The 24368 ZIP in Rural Retreat, VA is a local-operator market. Outside capital chasing a $212K entry has to pair deep knowledge with the discount.

For an experienced owner, 24368 can be a worth a close look for hunting ground — but the discount at $212K reflects genuine risk that outside investors often underestimate.

In the broader VA picture, 24368 is a reminder that not every low-priced ZIP is a value-add opportunity — some are simply distressed, and the difference matters.

Put differently, 5,372 residents fill the ZIP, renter turnover runs higher than neighboring postal codes and delinquency risk is a real line item rather than a theoretical one.

The 24368 ZIP fits a narrow investor profile — hands-on, patient, and willing to accept that the cap rate on paper is not the cap rate in reality.

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 Rural Retreat:

B Good
Buy Confidence Score: 74/100
Affordability
20/25
Appreciation
22/25
Stability
9/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 3.3× the median income
Value Trend
Stable (+1.8%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $819/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 24368

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
2BR
4.2% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
4BR
+8.3% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
4BR
$67,810/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $154,252 $910 4.2% +8.2% $77,126
3BR $217,708 $1,220 4.0% +7.9% $72,569
4BR $271,241 $1,520 4.0% +8.3% $67,810

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$221K$196K$172K$148K$124K$100KDec 2012Oct 2019Jul 2026

📊 How Does 24368 Compare?

Metric 24368 Rural Retreat Virginia
Home Value $211,827 $211,827 $403,170
5-Year CAGR 6.0% 6.0% 6.4%
Avg Rent $819 $819 -
Cap Rate 3.0% 3.0% -
💡 Why Invest in 24368? 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 24368 (Rural Retreat, VA). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
3.0%
Low
5yr Growth
+6.0%
Moderate

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $211,827
Monthly Rent $819
Price-to-Rent 21.6:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 4.6%
Cap Rate 3.0%
5-Year IRR 9.0%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +1.8% ▲
3-Year CAGR +3.5% ▲
5-Year CAGR +6.0% ▲
10-Year CAGR +6.0% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 3.0%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (3.0%). 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
14.1%
Moderate risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+6.0%
Stable
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 24368

Population: 5,372

💰 Median Household Income
$64,000
This area
$64,000
State
$80,295
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
13.8%
This area
13.8%
State
25.7%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
4.2%
This area
4.2%
State
-18.5%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
20.9%
This area
20.9%
State
4.0%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
39.5 years
This area
39.5 years
State
9.9 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
14.1%
This area
14.1%
State
16.4%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 94.6%
Other/Mixed 5.0%
Hispanic/Latino 2.4%
Black/African American 0.4%
👶 Under 18
25.8%
This area
25.8%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
14.8%
This area
14.8%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
14.3%
This area
14.3%
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 24368

B+ Avg School Grade
2 Schools
13.3:1 Avg Class Size
$12,610 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

B+ Above Average

Rural Retreat High

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
310 Students
👨‍🏫
13.4:1 Class Size
💰
$12,610 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Rural Retreat Middle

📚 06 – 08 Middle
👥
229 Students
👨‍🏫
13.2:1 Class Size
💰
$12,610 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 247 Off-Campus Students
C
Wytheville Community College
2,119 students · 13.4 mi

Frequently Asked Questions

How strong is Rural Retreat, VA for real estate investors?

Rural Retreat, VA scores 3.0/5 for investability. Home values sit at $212K and rents near $819/mo, which keeps the rent-to-price ratio in reasonable territory for buy-and-hold investors.

How much is rent in Rural Retreat, VA?

Rural Retreat, VA rentals go for roughly $819/mo a month. That puts gross yield in solid territory relative to $212K acquisition costs.

How qualified is the tenant pool in Rural Retreat, VA?

The tenant pool in Rural Retreat, VA is solid, supported by local employment and population fundamentals. Rents of $819/mo are well-absorbed by the market.

How tight is the rental market in Rural Retreat, VA?

Vacancy risk in Rural Retreat, VA is elevated. That supports reliable cash flow for typical rental holds.

How do landlord-tenant laws work in Rural Retreat, VA?

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

You know 24368 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 24368 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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