Real Estate Investing in Dry Creek, West Virginia (25174)

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

Raleigh County • Population: 305 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 25174 (Dry Creek, WV)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
CAUTION
Grade D (49/100)

Proceed carefully. Weak appreciation or affordability makes this a harder case for most buyers.

📈 For Investors
MIXED
3.0 / 5 (57/100)

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
2 flags
  • High vacancy: 27.6% of homes vacant — above national norms.
  • Lower household income: $34,327 median — tenant affordability is tighter.

• 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 Dry Creek, WV (25174)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

0.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

5.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $104,665
Avg Monthly Rent $846
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $34,327
% Renters 0.0%

Market Analysis: 25174 Dry Creek

Investors eyeing 25174 need to respect the fundamentals at play. Home values of $105K come alongside slower price movement and elevated management overhead.

The investment case in 25174 is notable only for operators who understand what they are buying. A $105K median suggests accessibility, but management intensity, vacancy drift, and capex surprises are real.

Within WV, ZIP 25174 trails on several market indicators that neighboring Raleigh County submarkets outperform. The gap is real and impressive enough to shape underwriting.

Resident income in 25174 sits below the county median. That reality colors rent collection, vacancy, and reinvestment math in ways that outside investors often underestimate.

Strategically, 25174 can be a high-return sleeve of a diversified portfolio — but it should not be the whole portfolio, and it should not be someone's first deal.

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 Dry Creek:

B Good
Buy Confidence Score: 73/100
Affordability
20/25
Appreciation
25/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
6/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Affordable
Homes cost 3× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+7.6%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $846/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
WARM
Seller-favorable conditions, steady activity
Bottom Line: Mixed signals in this market. Research specific properties carefully and be prepared to negotiate.
☀️
WARM MARKET
Beckley, WV Metro Area
Seller-favorable conditions, steady activity
0 days
Average time to sell
Very Fast
7.0%
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 Beckley, WV metro data

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$114K$109K$105K$101K$97K$93KJan 2024May 2025Jul 2026

📊 How Does 25174 Compare?

Metric 25174 Dry Creek Beckley, WV West Virginia
Home Value $104,665 $60,450 N/A $169,372
5-Year CAGR N/A 4.5% N/A 6.1%
Avg Rent $846 $846 N/A -
Cap Rate 6.3% 7.5% - -
💡 Why Invest in 25174? 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 25174 (Dry Creek, WV). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
6.3%
Good

📉 Market Crash Risk Index

Based on Beckley, WV metro

2/10
Low Risk
Price YoY
0/3
N/A
Rent YoY
0/2
N/A
Below List
2/3
65%
Days Pending
0/2
0 days

View all metro crash risk rankings →

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $104,665
Monthly Rent $846
Price-to-Rent 10.3:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 9.7%
Cap Rate 6.3%
5-Year IRR 13.9%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +7.6% ▲
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
10-Year CAGR N/A

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Neutral Leverage Cap Rate: 6.3%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage is roughly neutral here.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) is close to the estimated cap rate (6.3%). Financing this market at current rates produces a cash-on-cash return near the cap rate. Appreciation and tax benefits may still support the investment.

⚠️ Risk Signals

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

Vacancy
27.6%
Elevated risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
N/A
Stable
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 25174

Population: 305

💰 Median Household Income
$34,327
This area
$34,327
State
$53,950
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
0.0%
This area
0.0%
State
19.0%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
0.0%
This area
0.0%
State
-19.8%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
0.0%
This area
0.0%
State
-9.6%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
56.3 years
This area
56.3 years
State
-3.8 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
27.6%
This area
27.6%
State
23.5%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 93.9%
Other/Mixed 6.1%
👶 Under 18
3.6%
This area
3.6%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
33.9%
This area
33.9%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
9.4%
This area
9.4%
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 25174

A Avg School Grade
1 Schools
7.8:1 Avg Class Size
$14,950 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A Very Good

Marsh Fork Elementary

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
156 Students
👨‍🏫
7.8:1 Class Size
💰
$14,950 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

4 Nearby 596 Off-Campus Students
C+
Appalachian Bible College
218 students · 11.7 mi
D
Valley College-Beckley
181 students · 13.3 mi
C+
West Virginia University Institute of Technology
1,448 students · 13.9 mi
C+
Academy of Careers and Technology
147 students · 14.3 mi

Investor Insight: With 596 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average home sale price in Dry Creek, WV?

Dry Creek, WV home values average about $105K. That price point suits investors targeting rentals with $846/mo in monthly income.

What kind of tenants rent in Dry Creek, WV?

Tenant demand in Dry Creek, WV is solid. The local workforce $846/mo rents across most rental classes.

Should investors worry about vacancy in Dry Creek, WV?

Vacancy risk in Dry Creek, WV is elevated. That supports measured cash flow for typical rental holds.

What real estate strategy is ideal for Dry Creek, WV?

The best-fit strategy in Dry Creek, WV is careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management. That approach the rent and price profile of the market.

What kind of market is Dry Creek, WV for investors?

Dry Creek, WV rates 3.0/5 for investability. With median values at $105K and rents near $846/mo, the market offers reasonable fundamentals for rental investors.

You know 25174 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

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How 25174 ranks in Beckley, WV

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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