Real Estate Investing in Mount Clare, West Virginia (26408)

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

Harrison County • Population: 2,188 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 26408 (Mount Clare, WV)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
MIXED
Grade C (61/100)

Mixed signals — some positives, some negatives. Worth considering but not a slam-dunk.

📈 For Investors
MIXED
3.0 / 5 (47/100)

A middle-of-the-road market. Workable, but the best opportunities may be nearby ZIPs rather than this one.

⚠️ Risks to Know
1 flag
  • High vacancy: 13.9% of homes vacant — above national norms.

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

What’s happening in Mount Clare, WV (26408)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

2.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

3.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $201,776
Avg Monthly Rent $936
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $73,802
% Renters 7.3%

Market Analysis: 26408 Mount Clare

Not every below-median market is a bargain. Mount Clare's 26408 ZIP records signals that favor experienced operators who can absorb the risk $202K pricing implies.

Rent of $936/mo on a $202K basis reads well until vacancy, delinquency, and capex enter the model. The honest cap rate in 26408 sits below the stated 0.0% once reality is priced in.

From a cash-flow lens, 26408 offers a low basis, the region around Mount Clare has moved on in ways that the ZIP itself has not fully absorbed. The result is a discount with genuine reasons.

The 26408 ZIP's population of 2,188 has faced economic pressure over the last decade. That pressure shows up in rent delinquency patterns that clocks in at the need for careful underwriting.

Strategy in 26408 is an operator game, not a passive one. On balance, entry prices of $202K are inviting, the management lift is real and non-optional.

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 Mount Clare:

C+ Average
Buy Confidence Score: 66/100
Affordability
20/25
Appreciation
18/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
6/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Affordable
Homes cost 2.7× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+3.9%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $936/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
WARM
Seller-favorable conditions, steady activity
Bottom Line: Mixed signals in this market. Research specific properties carefully and be prepared to negotiate.
☀️
WARM MARKET
Clarksburg, WV Metro Area
Seller-favorable conditions, steady activity
0 days
Average time to sell
Very Fast
9.6%
Listings with price cuts
Few Cuts
0.0%
Sale price vs asking
Below Ask
0.0%
Income needed for mortgage
Affordable
📅 Market conditions as of August 29, 2026 — updated weekly from Clarksburg, WV metro data
🏠

Property Strategy for 26408

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
2BR
5.9% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
4BR
+5.6% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
2BR
$63,674/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $127,349 $1,040 5.9% +2.9% $63,674
3BR $227,769 $1,380 4.4% +4.6% $75,923
4BR $350,644 $1,590 3.3% +5.6% $87,661

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$213K$194K$175K$156K$137K$117KMar 2008May 2017Jul 2026

📊 How Does 26408 Compare?

Metric 26408 Mount Clare Clarksburg, WV West Virginia
Home Value $201,776 $201,776 N/A $169,372
5-Year CAGR 3.6% 3.6% N/A 6.1%
Avg Rent $936 $936 N/A -
Cap Rate 3.6% 3.6% - -
💡 Why Invest in 26408? 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 →
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Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 26408 (Mount Clare, WV). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
3.6%
Low
5yr Growth
+3.6%
Moderate

📉 Market Crash Risk Index

Based on Clarksburg, WV metro

1/10
Low Risk
Price YoY
0/3
N/A
Rent YoY
0/2
N/A
Below List
1/3
55%
Days Pending
0/2
0 days

View all metro crash risk rankings →

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $201,776
Monthly Rent $936
Price-to-Rent 18.0:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 5.6%
Cap Rate 3.6%
5-Year IRR 7.2%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +3.9% ▲
3-Year CAGR +3.0% ▲
5-Year CAGR +3.6% ▲
10-Year CAGR +3.9% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 3.6%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (3.6%). 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
13.9%
Moderate risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+3.6%
Stable
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 26408

Population: 2,188

💰 Median Household Income
$73,802
This area
$73,802
State
$53,950
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
7.3%
This area
7.3%
State
19.0%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
4.6%
This area
4.6%
State
-19.8%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
28.5%
This area
28.5%
State
-9.6%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
44.1 years
This area
44.1 years
State
-3.8 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
13.9%
This area
13.9%
State
23.5%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 97.3%
Other/Mixed 2.0%
Hispanic/Latino 1.8%
Black/African American 0.7%
👶 Under 18
20.9%
This area
20.9%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
17.2%
This area
17.2%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
8.9%
This area
8.9%
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

🎓 Nearby Colleges & Universities

4 Nearby 59 Off-Campus Students
C
West Virginia Junior College-Bridgeport
175 students · 5.7 mi
C+
Clarksburg Beauty Academy and School of Massage Therapy
58 students · 5.9 mi
C+
United Technical Center
26 students · 8.3 mi
B
Fred W Eberle Technical Center
119 students · 14.3 mi

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the tenant base reliable in Mount Clare, WV?

Tenant demand in Mount Clare, WV is solid. The local workforce $936/mo rents across most rental classes.

Are landlord laws favorable in Mount Clare, WV?

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

Is housing expensive in Mount Clare, WV?

Mount Clare, WV median home values land near $202K. That is reasonable territory for investors looking at $936/mo-per-month rentals.

Where do rents currently stand in Mount Clare, WV?

The typical rental in Mount Clare, WV commands about $936/mo monthly. That rent profile steady cash flow against the $202K purchase basis.

What are vacancy rates like in Mount Clare, WV?

Mount Clare, WV sees elevated vacancy, which is reasonable relative to the broader WV rental market.

You know 26408 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

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How 26408 ranks in Clarksburg, WV

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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