Real Estate Investing in Northfork, West Virginia (24868)

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

McDowell County • Population: 1,070 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 24868 (Northfork, WV)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
MIXED
Grade C (61/100)

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

📈 For Investors
STRONG
4.0 / 5 (86/100)

A cash-flow market — rent-to-price math works from day one, though value growth is modest. Great for income-focused investors.

⚠️ Risks to Know
5 flags
  • High vacancy: 44.5% of homes vacant — above national norms.
  • Declining values: -9.6% 5-year CAGR — values have moved lower.
  • 1-year downturn: Values declined 20.0% in the last year.
  • Elevated poverty: 44.5% poverty rate — can affect rent collection.

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

What’s happening in Northfork, WV (24868)?

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4.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

1.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

5.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $32,719
Avg Monthly Rent $810
1% Rule ✓ Meets
Median Income $22,167
% Renters 10.2%

Market Analysis: 24868 Northfork

In Northfork's 24868 ZIP, the arithmetic favors hands-on owners. Median home values records $33K, leaving spread for capex-heavy BRRRR or reposition strategies.

Flippers and value-add operators have treated 24868 as a working ZIP for a reason. Entry prices around $33K and a deep rental base of 10% renters underpin the exit strategy on both the sale and rent sides.

In McDowell County, 24868 is part of the operational map, not the passive one. The spread between median price and renovated comp reflects the work available.

Household income in 24868 supports the rent-lift thesis. 1,070 residents, deep working-age cohort, and the kind of tenant profile that responds to upgraded stock.

Experienced operators with contractor networks find 24868 a strong candidate for. First-time flippers often underestimate scope, budget, and timeline, which is how deals here turn sour.

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 Northfork:

C Below Average
Buy Confidence Score: 55/100
Affordability
25/25
Appreciation
0/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Affordable
Homes cost 1.5× the median income
Value Trend
Declining (-20.0%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $810/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
BALANCED
Even conditions for buyers and sellers
Bottom Line: This market may be challenging for buyers. Consider your timing and budget carefully.

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$64K$57K$50K$44K$37K$30KFeb 2019Nov 2022Jul 2026

📊 How Does 24868 Compare?

Metric 24868 Northfork West Virginia
Home Value $32,719 $32,574 $169,372
5-Year CAGR N/A N/A 6.1%
Avg Rent $810 $797 -
Cap Rate 19.3% 19.1% -
💡 Why Invest in 24868? Click to expand

This ZIP code meets the 1% rule with rent at $810/mo on homes averaging $32,719 — a strong indicator of cash flow potential.

Our analysis gives this area a 4/5 investability rating, placing it in the top tier for rental property potential.

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Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 24868 (Northfork, WV). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Excellent
Cap Rate
19.3%
Excellent
5yr Growth
-9.6%
Declining

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $32,719
Monthly Rent $810
Price-to-Rent 3.4:1
1% Rule ✓ Passes

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 29.7%
Cap Rate 19.3%
5-Year IRR 9.7%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year -20.0% ▼
3-Year CAGR -7.1% ▼
5-Year CAGR -9.6% ▼
10-Year CAGR N/A

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Positive Leverage Market Cap Rate: 19.3%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage may enhance returns here.

The estimated cap rate (19.3%) exceeds the current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%). When borrowing costs less than a property yields, leverage can increase your cash-on-cash return above the cap rate.

⚠️ Risk Signals

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

Vacancy
44.5%
Elevated risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
-9.6%
Declining
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 24868

Population: 1,070

💰 Median Household Income
$22,167
This area
$22,167
State
$53,950
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
10.2%
This area
10.2%
State
19.0%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
2.0%
This area
2.0%
State
-19.8%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
15.5%
This area
15.5%
State
-9.6%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
56.2 years
This area
56.2 years
State
-3.8 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
44.5%
This area
44.5%
State
23.5%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 61.0%
Black/African American 34.1%
Other/Mixed 4.9%
👶 Under 18
11.1%
This area
11.1%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
35.9%
This area
35.9%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
44.5%
This area
44.5%
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 226 Off-Campus Students
C
Bluefield State University
1,270 students · 14.2 mi

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average monthly rent in Northfork, WV?

The typical rental in Northfork, WV commands about $810/mo monthly. That rent profile consistent cash flow against the $33K purchase basis.

How should investors approach Northfork, WV?

A value-add and BRRRR deals strategy Northfork, WV best. The market produces predictable results for that approach at the $33K price point.

Is Northfork, WV a good market for buy-and-hold investors?

Northfork, WV scores 4.0/5 for investability. Home values sit at $33K and rents near $810/mo, which keeps the rent-to-price ratio in reasonable territory for buy-and-hold investors.

Does Northfork, WV rent-to-price ratio clear the 1% rule?

The median property in Northfork, WV ($33K at $810/mo rent) a 2.48% rent-to-price figure. Pure 1% deals require disciplined offer pricing.

Are homes affordable in Northfork, WV?

Expect median prices around $33K in Northfork, WV. The market has run at a 0.0% 5-year CAGR, so entry costs have been reliable.

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