Real Estate Investing in Moundsville, West Virginia (26039)
Everything the listing leaves out — vacancy, rent trend, cap rate, landlord climate. All free.
Should you buy in 26039 (Moundsville, WV)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.
Proceed carefully. Weak appreciation or affordability makes this a harder case for most buyers.
A cash-flow market — rent-to-price math works from day one, though value growth is modest. Great for income-focused investors.
- High vacancy: 43.6% of homes vacant — above national norms.
- Elevated poverty: 38.5% poverty rate — can affect rent collection.
• 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 Moundsville, WV (26039)?
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Market Analysis: 26039 Moundsville
Investors eyeing 26039 need to respect the fundamentals at play. Home values of $148K come alongside slower price movement and elevated management overhead.
Stepping back, the numbers look inviting — $148K purchase price, 0.0% nominal cap — the work to hit that pro forma in 26039 is substantial and deserves full respect.
Statewide comparisons place 26039 among WV's softer markets. That context does not make the ZIP uninvestable, but it does raise the bar for due diligence.
A solid renter share of 34% in 26039 is not, on its own, a problem — but paired with below-average income and high mobility, it changes the operating playbook.
Strategically, 26039 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.
Here's what matters if you're considering buying a home in Moundsville:
Market Trends
Home Value History (with trend line)
📊 How Does 26039 Compare?
| Metric | 26039 | Moundsville | Wheeling, WV-OH | West Virginia |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Home Value | $147,816 | $139,491 | N/A | $169,372 |
| 5-Year CAGR | 4.1% | 2.7% | N/A | 6.1% |
| Avg Rent | $918 | $914 | N/A | - |
| Cap Rate | 4.8% | 5.1% | - | - |
Similar ZIPs Within 25 Miles
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Landlord Ground Truth
Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 26039 (Moundsville, WV). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.
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📊 Market Snapshot
| Home Value | $147,816 |
| Monthly Rent | $918 |
| Price-to-Rent | 13.4:1 |
| 1% Rule | ✗ Fails |
💰 Return Metrics
| Gross Yield | 7.5% |
| Cap Rate | 4.8% |
| 5-Year IRR | 9.0% |
📈 Home Appreciation
| 1-Year | +11.4% ▲ |
| 3-Year CAGR | +7.1% ▲ |
| 5-Year CAGR | +4.1% ▲ |
| 10-Year CAGR | +5.9% ▲ |
🏠 Rent Trends
| 1-Year | N/A |
| 3-Year CAGR | N/A |
| 5-Year CAGR | N/A |
The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (4.8%). 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.
Demographics in 26039
Population: 383
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
Frequently Asked Questions
What are vacancy rates like in Moundsville, WV?
Vacancy risk in Moundsville, WV is elevated. That supports measured cash flow for typical rental holds.
What is the average monthly rent in Moundsville, WV?
The typical rental in Moundsville, WV commands about $918/mo monthly. That rent profile steady cash flow against the $148K purchase basis.
Is WV a landlord-friendly state?
WV ranks as a landlord-friendly state for landlord-tenant law. Moundsville generally follows the statewide framework, so landlords face reasonable operating rules.
Is Moundsville, WV a good market for FHA house hackers?
The house hack math a challenging in Moundsville, WV. Owner-occupant buyers benefit from the $918/mo rents and $148K home values.
How strong is Moundsville, WV for real estate investors?
Our data puts Moundsville, WV at 3.0/5 for investability. Home prices of $148K and rents around $918/mo create a solid backdrop for investor activity.
You know 26039 now. You don’t know where it ranks.
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How 26039 ranks in Wheeling, WV-OH
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