Real Estate Investing in Covington, Virginia (24474)

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

Alleghany County • Population: 333 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 24474 (Covington, VA)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
GOOD FIT
Grade B (75/100)

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
2 flags
  • High vacancy: 22.9% of homes vacant — above national norms.
  • Elevated poverty: 24.8% poverty rate — can affect rent collection.

• 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 Covington, VA (24474)?

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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 $123,852
Avg Monthly Rent $828
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $58,750
% Renters 0.0%

Market Analysis: 24474 Covington

The 24474 ZIP in Covington, VA is a local-operator market. Outside capital chasing a $124K entry has to pair deep knowledge with the discount.

From a cash-flow lens, the numbers look inviting — $124K purchase price, 0.0% nominal cap — the work to hit that pro forma in 24474 is substantial and deserves full respect.

Statewide comparisons place 24474 among VA's softer markets. That context does not make the ZIP uninvestable, but it does raise the bar for due diligence.

The 24474 ZIP's population of 333 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.

Strategy in 24474 is an operator game, not a passive one. Put differently, entry prices of $124K are inviting, the management lift is real and non-optional.

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 Covington:

B Good
Buy Confidence Score: 77/100
Affordability
25/25
Appreciation
22/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Affordable
Homes cost 2.1× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+16.0%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $828/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)

$129K$116K$102K$89K$76K$63KFeb 2016May 2021Jul 2026

📊 How Does 24474 Compare?

Metric 24474 Covington Virginia
Home Value $123,852 $142,394 $403,170
5-Year CAGR 5.1% 7.3% 6.4%
Avg Rent $828 $858 -
Cap Rate 5.2% 4.8% -
💡 Why Invest in 24474? 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 24474 (Covington, VA). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
5.2%
Fair
5yr Growth
+5.1%
Moderate

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $123,852
Monthly Rent $828
Price-to-Rent 12.5:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 8.0%
Cap Rate 5.2%
5-Year IRR 10.3%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +16.0% ▲
3-Year CAGR +8.0% ▲
5-Year CAGR +5.1% ▲
10-Year CAGR +5.5% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 5.2%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (5.2%). 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
22.9%
Elevated risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+5.1%
Stable
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 24474

Population: 333

💰 Median Household Income
$58,750
This area
$58,750
State
$80,295
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
0.0%
This area
0.0%
State
25.7%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
0.0%
This area
0.0%
State
-18.5%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
0.0%
This area
0.0%
State
4.0%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
34.8 years
This area
34.8 years
State
9.9 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
22.9%
This area
22.9%
State
16.4%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 100.0%
👶 Under 18
29.9%
This area
29.9%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
8.4%
This area
8.4%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
24.8%
This area
24.8%
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

🎓 Nearby Colleges & Universities

1 Nearby 171 Off-Campus Students
C
Mountain Gateway Community College
1,002 students · 0.6 mi

Frequently Asked Questions

Are eviction rules reasonable in Covington, VA?

Covington, VA falls under VA landlord-tenant law, which is landlord-friendly. That backdrop makes day-to-day property management reasonable.

How deep is the rental pool in Covington, VA?

Expect a solid tenant pool in Covington, VA. The rental market absorbs $828/mo rents without meaningful friction.

Does Covington, VA make sense for an investment property?

With a 3.0/5 investability score, Covington, VA ranks as a solid market for rental property investors. Median prices of $124K and rents of $828/mo drive the underlying numbers.

Does house hacking make sense in Covington, VA?

House hacking works a challenging in Covington, VA. Rents of $828/mo against $124K acquisition make the strategy solid for owner-occupants.

Is housing expensive in Covington, VA?

Covington, VA median home values land near $124K. That is reasonable territory for investors looking at $828/mo-per-month rentals.

You know 24474 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

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