Real Estate Investing in Parkersburg, West Virginia (26104)
Everything the listing leaves out — vacancy, rent trend, cap rate, landlord climate. All free.
Should you buy in 26104 (Parkersburg, WV)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.
Mixed signals — some positives, some negatives. Worth considering but not a slam-dunk.
A middle-of-the-road market. Workable, but the best opportunities may be nearby ZIPs rather than this one.
- Elevated vacancy: 11.4% vacancy may signal weakening demand.
• Modeled rent — no observed market rent for this ZIP; the figure is estimated from HUD fair-market rent.
What’s happening in Parkersburg, WV (26104)?
Click any question — our AI will research it live from the web and show you sources.
Market Analysis: 26104 Parkersburg
The 26104 ZIP covers a section of Parkersburg that demands careful diligence. Prices near $178K look accessible, but the work to make a deal cash flow is real.
Distressed markets are won on execution, not on spreadsheets. ZIP 26104 clocks in at the profile where tenant screening, deferred maintenance, and local relationships determine the outcome.
Nearby ZIPs in Parkersburg have seen price recovery that 26104 has not matched. Wood County data supports the view that the spread is structural rather than temporary.
The 26104 ZIP's population of 16,729 has faced economic pressure over the last decade. That pressure shows up in rent delinquency patterns that records the need for careful underwriting.
Distressed ZIPs reward experience. healthy returns are possible in 26104, but they flow to investors who already understand how to operate in soft markets.
Here's what matters if you're considering buying a home in Parkersburg:
Property Strategy for 26104
Which property type performs best in this market?
📊 Compare All Property Types →
| Type | Median Value | Est. Rent | Cap Rate | 5yr CAGR | $/Bedroom |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2BR | $124,764 | $870 | 5.0% | +9.0% | $62,382 |
| 3BR | $176,397 | $1,130 | 4.6% | +6.3% | $58,799 |
| 4BR | $272,575 | $1,180 | 3.1% | +6.6% | $68,144 |
| 5BR | $322,959 | — | — | +6.1% | $64,592 |
Market Trends
Home Value History (with trend line)
📊 How Does 26104 Compare?
| Metric | 26104 | Parkersburg | Parkersburg-Vienna, WV | West Virginia |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Home Value | $177,653 | $155,734 | N/A | $169,372 |
| 5-Year CAGR | 4.8% | 4.6% | N/A | 6.1% |
| Avg Rent | $783 | $859 | N/A | - |
| Cap Rate | 3.4% | 4.4% | - | - |
Similar ZIPs Within 25 Miles
Compare other nearby markets to see if a neighbor offers a better fit.
Landlord Ground Truth
Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 26104 (Parkersburg, WV). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.
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📊 Market Snapshot
| Home Value | $177,653 |
| Monthly Rent | $783 |
| Price-to-Rent | 18.9:1 |
| 1% Rule | ✗ Fails |
💰 Return Metrics
| Gross Yield | 5.3% |
| Cap Rate | 3.4% |
| 5-Year IRR | 8.3% |
📈 Home Appreciation
| 1-Year | +6.6% ▲ |
| 3-Year CAGR | +3.8% ▲ |
| 5-Year CAGR | +4.8% ▲ |
| 10-Year CAGR | +5.2% ▲ |
🏠 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 (3.4%). 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 26104
Population: 16,729
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 26104
Schools in This ZIP Code
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
Investor Insight: With 1,844 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the typical home price in Parkersburg, WV?
In Parkersburg, WV the median home value sits at $178K. Against the broader WV market, that reads as reasonable for most investors.
How strong is Parkersburg, WV for real estate investors?
Parkersburg, WV scores 3.0/5 for investability. Home values sit at $178K and rents near $783/mo, which keeps the rent-to-price ratio in reasonable territory for buy-and-hold investors.
Should investors worry about vacancy in Parkersburg, WV?
Parkersburg, WV sees elevated vacancy, which is reasonable relative to the broader WV rental market.
How should investors approach Parkersburg, WV?
Most investors in Parkersburg, WV run a careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management strategy. It aligns with the 3.0/5 investability profile and the market fundamentals.
Is the tenant base reliable in Parkersburg, WV?
Tenant demand in Parkersburg, WV is solid. The local workforce $783/mo rents across most rental classes.
You know 26104 now. You don’t know where it ranks.
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How 26104 ranks in Parkersburg-Vienna, WV
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