Real Estate Investing in Fort Gay, West Virginia (25511)

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

Wayne County • Population: 835 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 25511 (Fort Gay, 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
4 flags
  • High vacancy: 35.0% of homes vacant — above national norms.
  • Declining values: -1.7% 5-year CAGR — values have moved lower.
  • Elevated poverty: 28.7% poverty rate — can affect rent collection.
  • Lower household income: $29,536 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 Fort Gay, WV (25511)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

1.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

5.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $97,294
Avg Monthly Rent $900
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $29,536
% Renters 17.8%

Market Analysis: 25511 Fort Gay

Investors eyeing 25511 need to respect the fundamentals at play. Home values of $97K come alongside slower price movement and elevated management overhead.

Put differently, the numbers look inviting — $97K purchase price, 0.0% nominal cap — the work to hit that pro forma in 25511 is substantial and deserves full respect.

In the broader WV picture, 25511 is a reminder that not every low-priced ZIP is a value-add opportunity — some are simply distressed, and the difference matters.

The demographic picture in 25511 includes headwinds that any investor should price in. Income distribution skews lower than Fort Gay averages, and tenant stability requires active management.

Strategically, 25511 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 Fort Gay:

C Below Average
Buy Confidence Score: 55/100
Affordability
20/25
Appreciation
5/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 3.3× the median income
Value Trend
Declining (-0.1%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $900/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)

$118K$108K$99K$90K$81K$72KFeb 2019Nov 2022Jul 2026

📊 How Does 25511 Compare?

Metric 25511 Fort Gay West Virginia
Home Value $97,294 $117,968 $169,372
5-Year CAGR N/A 0.4% 6.1%
Avg Rent $900 $903 -
Cap Rate 7.2% 6.1% -
💡 Why Invest in 25511? 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 25511 (Fort Gay, WV). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
7.2%
Good
5yr Growth
-1.7%
Declining

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $97,294
Monthly Rent $900
Price-to-Rent 9.0:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 11.1%
Cap Rate 7.2%
5-Year IRR 5.5%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year -0.1% ▼
3-Year CAGR -0.6% ▼
5-Year CAGR -1.7% ▼
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: 7.2%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage is roughly neutral here.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) is close to the estimated cap rate (7.2%). 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
35.0%
Elevated risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
-1.7%
Flat
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 25511

Population: 835

💰 Median Household Income
$29,536
This area
$29,536
State
$53,950
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
17.8%
This area
17.8%
State
19.0%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
1.1%
This area
1.1%
State
-19.8%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
3.5%
This area
3.5%
State
-9.6%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
54.8 years
This area
54.8 years
State
-3.8 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
35.0%
This area
35.0%
State
23.5%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 99.1%
Other/Mixed 0.9%
👶 Under 18
7.3%
This area
7.3%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
28.5%
This area
28.5%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
28.7%
This area
28.7%
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 25511

B+ Avg School Grade
1 Schools
9.7:1 Avg Class Size
$14,947 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

B+ Above Average

Dunlow Elementary School

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
82 Students
👨‍🏫
9.7:1 Class Size
💰
$14,947 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do rentals sit vacant long in Fort Gay, WV?

Occupancy in Fort Gay, WV runs consistent with elevated vacancy. Well-priced units at $900/mo lease on reasonable timelines.

Is Fort Gay, WV landlord-friendly?

The landlord environment in Fort Gay, WV is landlord-friendly. Statewide rules shape most day-to-day operations for rental owners.

How much do tenants pay in Fort Gay, WV?

The typical rental in Fort Gay, WV commands about $900/mo monthly. That rent profile consistent cash flow against the $97K purchase basis.

Is Fort Gay, WV suited for a house hack?

House hacking in Fort Gay, WV is reasonable to execute. Prices around $97K and rents of $900/mo solid owner-occupant economics.

Is Fort Gay, WV a good place for real estate investing?

The 3.0/5 investability rating in Fort Gay, WV reflects its $97K prices and $900/mo rents. Investors generally consider it a solid option within WV.

You know 25511 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

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How 25511 ranks in Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH

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Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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