Real Estate Investing in West Milford, West Virginia (26385)

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

Harrison County • Population: 3,021 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 26385 (West Milford, WV)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
GOOD FIT
Grade B (72/100)

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
1 flag
  • High vacancy: 22.4% 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 West Milford, WV (26385)?

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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 $172,534
Avg Monthly Rent $972
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $67,969
% Renters 7.7%

Market Analysis: 26385 West Milford

Not every below-median market is a bargain. West Milford's 26385 ZIP sits at signals that favor experienced operators who can absorb the risk $173K pricing implies.

If the plan assumes clean turnover, on-time rent, and low maintenance on a $173K asset, 26385 is the wrong submarket. If the plan prices in friction, the yield can still work.

Statewide comparisons place 26385 among WV's softer markets. That context does not make the ZIP uninvestable, but it does raise the bar for due diligence.

Turning to rents, 3,021 residents fill the ZIP, renter turnover runs higher than neighboring postal codes and delinquency risk is a real line item rather than a theoretical one.

Strategy in 26385 is an operator game, not a passive one. On the rental side, entry prices of $173K 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 West Milford:

B Good
Buy Confidence Score: 71/100
Affordability
25/25
Appreciation
18/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
6/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Affordable
Homes cost 2.5× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+7.2%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $972/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 26385

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
2BR
7.2% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
4BR
+5.1% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
2BR
$54,221/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $108,442 $1,080 7.2% +4.5% $54,221
3BR $183,264 $1,430 5.6% +4.6% $61,088
4BR $263,021 $1,660 4.5% +5.1% $65,755

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$181K$161K$142K$122K$103K$83KMar 2008May 2017Jul 2026

📊 How Does 26385 Compare?

Metric 26385 West Milford Clarksburg, WV West Virginia
Home Value $172,534 $157,845 N/A $169,372
5-Year CAGR 4.3% 4.0% N/A 6.1%
Avg Rent $972 $878 N/A -
Cap Rate 4.4% 4.3% - -
💡 Why Invest in 26385? 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 26385 (West Milford, WV). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
4.4%
Fair
5yr Growth
+4.3%
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 $172,534
Monthly Rent $972
Price-to-Rent 14.8:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 6.8%
Cap Rate 4.4%
5-Year IRR 8.7%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +7.2% ▲
3-Year CAGR +4.4% ▲
5-Year CAGR +4.3% ▲
10-Year CAGR +4.7% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 4.4%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (4.4%). 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.

Vacancy
22.4%
Elevated risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+4.3%
Stable
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 26385

Population: 3,021

💰 Median Household Income
$67,969
This area
$67,969
State
$53,950
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
7.7%
This area
7.7%
State
19.0%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
2.4%
This area
2.4%
State
-19.8%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
22.4%
This area
22.4%
State
-9.6%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
43.4 years
This area
43.4 years
State
-3.8 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
22.4%
This area
22.4%
State
23.5%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 94.7%
Other/Mixed 5.3%
Hispanic/Latino 2.1%
👶 Under 18
18.6%
This area
18.6%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
19.4%
This area
19.4%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
3.8%
This area
3.8%
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 26385

A Avg School Grade
3 Schools
12.0:1 Avg Class Size
$14,955 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A Very Good

South Harrison Middle School

📚 06 – 08 Middle
👥
254 Students
👨‍🏫
11.9:1 Class Size
💰
$14,955 Per Student
A Very Good

South Harrison High School

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
348 Students
👨‍🏫
13.3:1 Class Size
💰
$14,955 Per Student
A Very Good

Lost Creek Elementary School

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
113 Students
👨‍🏫
10.8:1 Class Size
💰
$14,955 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 59 Off-Campus Students
C+
Clarksburg Beauty Academy and School of Massage Therapy
58 students · 8.4 mi
C
West Virginia Junior College-Bridgeport
175 students · 9.7 mi
C+
United Technical Center
26 students · 10.5 mi
B
Fred W Eberle Technical Center
119 students · 12.8 mi
C
West Virginia Wesleyan College
991 students · 13.6 mi
D
Salem University
894 students · 14.8 mi

Frequently Asked Questions

Is real estate in West Milford, WV a good investment right now?

West Milford, WV scores 3.0/5 for investability. Home values sit at $173K and rents near $972/mo, which keeps the rent-to-price ratio in reasonable territory for buy-and-hold investors.

Do landlords face vacancy issues in West Milford, WV?

Rental vacancy in West Milford, WV is elevated. Investors should budget normal turnover but not chronic empty units.

What is the typical rental rate in West Milford, WV?

The typical rental in West Milford, WV commands about $972/mo monthly. That rent profile stable cash flow against the $173K purchase basis.

Where do home prices stand in West Milford, WV?

West Milford, WV home values average about $173K. That price point suits investors targeting rentals with $972/mo in monthly income.

Is the tenant base reliable in West Milford, WV?

The renter base in West Milford, WV is reasonable for the $972/mo price point. Screening well and pricing to market typically yields consistent tenants.

You know 26385 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 26385 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 26385 ranks in Clarksburg, WV

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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