Real Estate Investing in Spencer, West Virginia (25276)

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

Roane County • Population: 7,355 • Data updated: September 2026

☆ Watch this market Free account

Should you buy in 25276 (Spencer, WV)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
CAUTION
Grade D (54/100)

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

📈 For Investors
MIXED
3.0 / 5 (52/100)

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
4 flags
  • High vacancy: 19.5% of homes vacant — above national norms.
  • Flat appreciation: Values have barely moved over 5 years (1.3% CAGR).
  • Elevated poverty: 21.4% poverty rate — can affect rent collection.
  • Lower household income: $34,637 median — tenant affordability is tighter.

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

What’s happening in Spencer, WV (25276)?

Click any question — our AI will research it live from the web and show you sources.

✨ Live AI + Web Search
Want to ask your own questions? Upgrade to Pro for unlimited custom queries.
3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

1.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

4.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $119,428
Avg Monthly Rent $810
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $34,637
% Renters 33.2%

Market Analysis: 25276 Spencer

ZIP 25276 in Spencer, WV carries a solid set of headwinds. Home values near $119K and rents of $810/mo sit inside a market where underwriting has to be tight.

The 25276 ZIP can work — but only with a tight operating hand. Remote landlords and passive investors tend to struggle here more than the underwriting suggests.

Nearby ZIPs in Spencer have seen price recovery that 25276 has not matched. Roane County data supports the view that the spread is structural rather than temporary.

Employment concentration in 25276 leans toward sectors with higher volatility. The demographic consequence is income fluctuation that investors need to factor into their pro forma.

The right play in 25276 usually involves deep tenant screening, aggressive delinquency response, and a conservative capex buffer. Anything less, and the discount can turn into a trap.

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 Spencer:

C+ Average
Buy Confidence Score: 66/100
Affordability
20/25
Appreciation
14/25
Stability
9/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 3.4× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+8.8%)
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: Mixed signals in this market. Research specific properties carefully and be prepared to negotiate.
🏠

Property Strategy for 25276

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
2BR
7.3% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
3BR
+3.6% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
4BR
$39,295/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $88,737 $900 7.3% +2.9% $44,369
3BR $127,307 $1,210 6.8% +3.6% $42,436
4BR $157,181 $1,220 5.6% +3.3% $39,295

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$126K$114K$102K$90K$78K$66KJul 2009Jan 2018Jul 2026

📊 How Does 25276 Compare?

Metric 25276 Spencer West Virginia
Home Value $119,428 $113,702 $169,372
5-Year CAGR 1.3% 1.3% 6.1%
Avg Rent $810 $797 -
Cap Rate 5.3% 5.5% -
💡 Why Invest in 25276? 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 →
A great house in the wrong ZIP is still a bad deal — screen every market by cash flow & cap rate.
Open the Market Finder →
Free to search · investor plans from $19/mo

Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 25276 (Spencer, WV). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

Do you own or manage rentals in ZIP 25276 (Spencer, WV)?

~25 seconds · no account needed · your report is anonymous

Investability
Good
Cap Rate
5.3%
Fair
5yr Growth
+1.3%
Slow

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $119,428
Monthly Rent $810
Price-to-Rent 12.3:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 8.1%
Cap Rate 5.3%
5-Year IRR 6.6%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +8.8% ▲
3-Year CAGR +2.9% ▲
5-Year CAGR +1.3% ▲
10-Year CAGR +3.5% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 5.3%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (5.3%). 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
19.5%
Elevated risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+1.3%
Flat
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 25276

Population: 7,355

💰 Median Household Income
$34,637
This area
$34,637
State
$53,950
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
33.2%
This area
33.2%
State
19.0%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
5.8%
This area
5.8%
State
-19.8%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
13.9%
This area
13.9%
State
-9.6%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
47.3 years
This area
47.3 years
State
-3.8 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
19.5%
This area
19.5%
State
23.5%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 95.9%
Other/Mixed 3.2%
Hispanic/Latino 2.2%
Asian 0.7%
Black/African American 0.2%
👶 Under 18
20.9%
This area
20.9%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
22.3%
This area
22.3%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
21.4%
This area
21.4%
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 25276

A Avg School Grade
3 Schools
13.6:1 Avg Class Size
$14,563 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A Very Good

Spencer Middle School

📚 05 – 08 School
👥
315 Students
👨‍🏫
11.2:1 Class Size
💰
$14,563 Per Student
A Very Good

Spencer Elementary School

📚 Pre-K – 04 Elementary
👥
427 Students
👨‍🏫
13.3:1 Class Size
💰
$14,563 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Roane County High

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
518 Students
👨‍🏫
16.3:1 Class Size
💰
$14,563 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 7 Off-Campus Students
B
Roane-Jackson Technical Center
11 students · 12.6 mi

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Spencer, WV rate as a rental market?

Investors tracking Spencer, WV will find a 3.0/5 rating supported by $119K median home values and $810/mo rents. That profile suits long-term holders targeting stable returns.

What is the average monthly rent in Spencer, WV?

The typical rental in Spencer, WV commands about $810/mo monthly. That rent profile measured cash flow against the $119K purchase basis.

What is the average home sale price in Spencer, WV?

Spencer, WV home values average about $119K. That price point suits investors targeting rentals with $810/mo in monthly income.

Is Spencer, WV good for landlords?

Spencer, WV operates under WV law, which is landlord-friendly overall for landlords. Expect predictable treatment in typical lease and eviction cases.

Should investors worry about vacancy in Spencer, WV?

Vacancy risk in Spencer, WV is elevated. That supports steady cash flow for typical rental holds.

You know 25276 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 25276 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.

Compare Plans
🤖

AI Market Advisor

Ask questions about investing in 25276 (Spencer)

Loading...

Community Ratings

What people who’ve spent time here actually say. Not paid reviews.

Be the first to rate 25276 (Spencer, WV).

It takes 30 seconds. No signup. Your rating helps everyone who comes here after you.