Real Estate Investing in Follansbee, West Virginia (26037)

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

Brooke County • Population: 5,727 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 26037 (Follansbee, WV)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
GOOD FIT
Grade B (83/100)

Solid choice — stable market with a reasonable entry point and good rental backup if you ever need to move.

📈 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
CLEAN

No major risk flags on the data we track.

What’s happening in Follansbee, WV (26037)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

2.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

4.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $126,457
Avg Monthly Rent $750
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $51,452
% Renters 27.1%

Market Analysis: 26037 Follansbee

The 26037 ZIP covers a section of Follansbee that demands careful diligence. Prices near $126K look accessible, but the work to make a deal cash flow is real.

Rent of $750/mo on a $126K basis reads well until vacancy, delinquency, and capex enter the model. The honest cap rate in 26037 sits below the stated 0.0% once reality is priced in.

Within WV, ZIP 26037 trails on several market indicators that neighboring Brooke County submarkets outperform. The gap is real and durable enough to shape underwriting.

Demographically, 26037 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.

Strategically, 26037 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 Follansbee:

B Good
Buy Confidence Score: 75/100
Affordability
25/25
Appreciation
18/25
Stability
9/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Affordable
Homes cost 2.5× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+6.0%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $750/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 26037

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
2BR
9.3% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
2BR
+7.0% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
2BR
$37,694/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $75,388 $970 9.3% +7.0% $37,694
3BR $139,091 $1,290 6.7% +6.2% $46,364
4BR $164,017 $1,480 6.5% +5.5% $41,004

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$135K$118K$100K$83K$65K$48KMar 2009Nov 2017Jul 2026

Rent History (with trend line)

No data available

📊 How Does 26037 Compare?

Metric 26037 Follansbee West Virginia
Home Value $126,457 $126,457 $169,372
5-Year CAGR 4.6% 4.6% 6.1%
Avg Rent $750 $750 -
Cap Rate 4.6% 4.6% -
💡 Why Invest in 26037? 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.
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Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 26037 (Follansbee, WV). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

Do you own or manage rentals in ZIP 26037 (Follansbee, WV)?

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
4.6%
Fair
5yr Growth
+4.6%
Moderate

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $126,457
Monthly Rent $750
Price-to-Rent 14.1:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 7.1%
Cap Rate 4.6%
5-Year IRR 9.2%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +6.0% ▲
3-Year CAGR +3.9% ▲
5-Year CAGR +4.6% ▲
10-Year CAGR +6.8% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 4.6%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (4.6%). 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
6.7%
Low risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+4.6%
Stable
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 26037

Population: 5,727

💰 Median Household Income
$51,452
This area
$51,452
State
$53,950
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
27.1%
This area
27.1%
State
19.0%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
2.3%
This area
2.3%
State
-19.8%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
18.3%
This area
18.3%
State
-9.6%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
49.9 years
This area
49.9 years
State
-3.8 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
6.7%
This area
6.7%
State
23.5%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 97.3%
Other/Mixed 2.7%
Hispanic/Latino 0.8%
👶 Under 18
16.0%
This area
16.0%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
21.7%
This area
21.7%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
3.9%
This area
3.9%
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 26037

B+ Avg School Grade
2 Schools
12.9:1 Avg Class Size
$16,231 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

B+ Above Average

Brooke Primary School North

📚 K – 02 Elementary
👥
250 Students
👨‍🏫
13.7:1 Class Size
💰
$16,231 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Brooke Intermediate School North

📚 03 – 04 Elementary
👥
163 Students
👨‍🏫
12.1:1 Class Size
💰
$16,231 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

6 Nearby 7,206 Off-Campus Students
C+
Franciscan University of Steubenville
3,750 students · 3.5 mi
C
Eastern Gateway Community College
15,493 students · 5.3 mi
D
Trinity Health System School of Nursing
25 students · 5.4 mi
C
Bethany College
671 students · 9.0 mi
C+
West Liberty University
2,348 students · 11.8 mi
B
John D Rockefeller IV Career Center
14 students · 13.8 mi

Investor Insight: With 7,206 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is rental property easy to operate in Follansbee, WV?

Follansbee, WV falls under WV landlord-tenant law, which is landlord-friendly. That backdrop makes day-to-day property management reasonable.

How strong are rents in Follansbee, WV?

Rents in Follansbee, WV run near $750/mo. Compared with median home prices of $126K that produces solid gross yields for typical rentals.

What is the tenant pool like in Follansbee, WV?

Tenant quality in Follansbee, WV ranks as solid. Landlords generally report predictable occupancy at market rents of $750/mo.

What is the smart move for investors in Follansbee, WV?

Investors who focus on careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management typically do well in Follansbee, WV. The numbers - $126K homes against $750/mo rents - support that play.

How much should I expect to pay for a home in Follansbee, WV?

The median home value in Follansbee, WV is roughly $126K. That puts it reasonable relative to the WV statewide average.

You know 26037 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 26037 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 26037 ranks in Weirton-Steubenville, WV-OH

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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