Real Estate Investing in Big Island, Virginia (24526)

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

Bedford County • Population: 1,374 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 24526 (Big Island, VA)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
MIXED
Grade C (58/100)

Mixed — values have been flat. OK for long-horizon buyers, less attractive if you may need to sell soon.

📈 For Investors
WEAK
2.0 / 5 (33/100)

Structural challenges here. The numbers may look cheap but operational risk is high. Only for experienced, hands-on investors.

⚠️ Risks to Know
2 flags
  • High vacancy: 12.0% of homes vacant — above national norms.
  • Flat appreciation: Values have barely moved over 5 years (0.9% CAGR).

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

What’s happening in Big Island, VA (24526)?

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2.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

1.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

3.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $202,348
Avg Monthly Rent $999
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $68,585
% Renters 17.8%

Market Analysis: 24526 Big Island

ZIP 24526 inside Bedford County looks affordable on the surface — median value of $202K — but the discount exists for reasons that a careful buyer should understand before committing.

If the plan assumes clean turnover, on-time rent, and low maintenance on a $202K asset, 24526 is the wrong submarket. If the plan prices in friction, the yield can still work.

Regionally, 24526 sits on the difficult end of the VA spectrum. The an appealing option for read — for disciplined operators — is that pricing reflects the difficulty.

Demographically, 24526 is a market where tenant selection matters more than unit finishes. Operators who understand that tend to do fine; those who do not tend to learn why the ZIP trades at a discount.

Experienced landlords with local relationships tend to find 24526 workable. Turnkey investors from out of state usually find the numbers do not hold up in practice.

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 Big Island:

C+ Average
Buy Confidence Score: 62/100
Affordability
20/25
Appreciation
10/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
10/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Affordable
Homes cost 3× the median income
Value Trend
Declining (-1.9%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $999/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
COOL
More inventory, negotiating room for buyers
Bottom Line: Mixed signals in this market. Research specific properties carefully and be prepared to negotiate.
❄️
COOL MARKET
Lynchburg, VA Metro Area
More inventory, negotiating room for buyers
49 days
Average time to sell
Average
10.4%
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 Lynchburg, VA metro data
🏠

Property Strategy for 24526

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
3BR
4.7% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
3BR
+6.3% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
3BR
$77,470/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $172,708 $1,110 4.6% +5.8% $86,354
3BR $232,410 $1,530 4.7% +6.3% $77,470

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$218K$206K$193K$181K$169K$156KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

📊 How Does 24526 Compare?

Metric 24526 Big Island Lynchburg, VA Virginia
Home Value $202,348 $202,348 N/A $403,170
5-Year CAGR 0.9% 0.9% N/A 6.4%
Avg Rent $999 $999 N/A -
Cap Rate 3.9% 3.9% - -
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 24526 (Big Island, VA). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Fair
Cap Rate
3.9%
Low
5yr Growth
+0.9%
Slow

📉 Market Crash Risk Index

Based on Lynchburg, VA metro

1/10
Low Risk
Price YoY
0/3
N/A
Rent YoY
0/2
N/A
Below List
0/3
49%
Days Pending
1/2
49 days

View all metro crash risk rankings →

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $202,348
Monthly Rent $999
Price-to-Rent 16.9:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 5.9%
Cap Rate 3.9%
5-Year IRR 4.7%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year -1.9% ▼
3-Year CAGR +0.8% ▲
5-Year CAGR +0.9% ▲
10-Year CAGR +1.7% ▲

🏠 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
12.0%
Moderate risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+0.9%
Flat
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 24526

Population: 1,374

💰 Median Household Income
$68,585
This area
$68,585
State
$80,295
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
17.8%
This area
17.8%
State
25.7%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
0.0%
This area
0.0%
State
-18.5%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
21.3%
This area
21.3%
State
4.0%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
42.6 years
This area
42.6 years
State
9.9 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
12.0%
This area
12.0%
State
16.4%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 92.4%
Black/African American 5.7%
Other/Mixed 2.0%
👶 Under 18
22.8%
This area
22.8%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
23.0%
This area
23.0%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
5.3%
This area
5.3%
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 24526

B+ Avg School Grade
1 Schools
13.2:1 Avg Class Size
$14,207 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

B+ Above Average

Big Island Elementary

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
148 Students
👨‍🏫
13.2:1 Class Size
💰
$14,207 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

2 Nearby
C
Southern Virginia University
967 students · 13.1 mi
C
Randolph College
634 students · 15.0 mi

Frequently Asked Questions

How quickly do rentals get leased in Big Island, VA?

Vacancy risk in Big Island, VA is elevated. That supports even-keeled cash flow for typical rental holds.

Are tenants stable in Big Island, VA?

Big Island, VA draws a steady base of working renters. Demand at the $999/mo rent level is reasonable for standard single-family and small multi rentals.

How does Big Island, VA stack up for property investment?

Yes - Big Island, VA a 2.0/5 investability score. With $202K home prices against $999/mo monthly rent, the market delivers a reasonable entry point for new investors.

Can I house hack in Big Island, VA?

Big Island, VA is a a challenging market for house hackers. FHA or conventional owner-occupant buyers find the $202K price point reasonable to enter.

What strategy should investors use in Big Island, VA?

Investors usually favor careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management in Big Island, VA. With home values at $202K and rents near $999/mo, other strategies can work but produce even-keeled rather than outsized returns.

You know 24526 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 24526 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 24526 ranks in Lynchburg, VA

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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