Real Estate Investing in Philippi, West Virginia (26416)

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

Barbour County • Population: 7,157 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 26416 (Philippi, WV)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
CAUTION
Grade D (51/100)

Proceed carefully. Weak appreciation or affordability makes this a harder case for most buyers.

📈 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
2 flags
  • High vacancy: 15.3% of homes vacant — above national norms.
  • Flat appreciation: Values have barely moved over 5 years (1.4% CAGR).

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

What’s happening in Philippi, WV (26416)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

1.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

4.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $132,596
Avg Monthly Rent $783
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $44,042
% Renters 31.7%

Market Analysis: 26416 Philippi

ZIP 26416 in Philippi, WV carries a robust set of headwinds. Home values near $133K and rents of $783/mo sit inside a market where underwriting has to be tight.

Distressed markets are won on execution, not on spreadsheets. ZIP 26416 shows the profile where tenant screening, deferred maintenance, and local relationships determine the outcome.

In the broader WV picture, 26416 is a reminder that not every low-priced ZIP is a value-add opportunity — some are simply distressed, and the difference matters.

Employment concentration in 26416 leans toward sectors with higher volatility. The demographic consequence is income fluctuation that investors need to factor into their pro forma.

Distressed ZIPs reward experience. robust returns are possible in 26416, but they flow to investors who already understand how to operate in soft markets.

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 Philippi:

C+ Average
Buy Confidence Score: 66/100
Affordability
20/25
Appreciation
14/25
Stability
9/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Affordable
Homes cost 3× the median income
Value Trend
Stable (+0.6%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $783/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 26416

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
2BR
6.6% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
4BR
+4.5% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
4BR
$42,872/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $95,627 $870 6.6% +2.0% $47,814
3BR $153,400 $1,150 5.4% +4.2% $51,133
4BR $171,487 $1,370 5.8% +4.5% $42,872

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$144K$126K$108K$90K$71K$53KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

📊 How Does 26416 Compare?

Metric 26416 Philippi West Virginia
Home Value $132,596 $136,911 $169,372
5-Year CAGR 1.4% 2.1% 6.1%
Avg Rent $783 $824 -
Cap Rate 4.6% 4.7% -
💡 Why Invest in 26416? 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 26416 (Philippi, WV). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
4.6%
Fair
5yr Growth
+1.4%
Slow

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $132,596
Monthly Rent $783
Price-to-Rent 14.1:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 7.1%
Cap Rate 4.6%
5-Year IRR 6.0%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +0.6% ▲
3-Year CAGR +0.7% ▲
5-Year CAGR +1.4% ▲
10-Year CAGR +2.4% ▲

🏠 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
15.3%
Elevated risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+1.4%
Flat
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 26416

Population: 7,157

💰 Median Household Income
$44,042
This area
$44,042
State
$53,950
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
31.7%
This area
31.7%
State
19.0%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
3.8%
This area
3.8%
State
-19.8%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
15.1%
This area
15.1%
State
-9.6%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
41.3 years
This area
41.3 years
State
-3.8 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
15.3%
This area
15.3%
State
23.5%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 92.6%
Other/Mixed 4.2%
Black/African American 2.9%
Hispanic/Latino 2.0%
Asian 0.3%
👶 Under 18
19.5%
This area
19.5%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
20.6%
This area
20.6%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
13.8%
This area
13.8%
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 26416

B+ Avg School Grade
3 Schools
14.5:1 Avg Class Size
$13,069 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

B+ Above Average

Philippi Middle School

📚 05 – 08 School
👥
271 Students
👨‍🏫
12.0:1 Class Size
💰
$13,069 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Philip Barbour High School Complex

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
589 Students
👨‍🏫
14.5:1 Class Size
💰
$13,069 Per Student
B Good

Philippi Elementary School

📚 Pre-K – 04 Elementary
👥
394 Students
👨‍🏫
17.1:1 Class Size
💰
$13,069 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does house hacking work in Philippi, WV?

House hacking in Philippi, WV is a challenging. With home values around $133K and rents at $783/mo, owner-occupants can offset a meaningful share of PITI.

How strong is Philippi, WV for real estate investors?

Philippi, WV shows an investability rating of 3.0/5, with median home values near $133K and average rents around $783/mo. That combination puts it in the sturdy tier for investor interest.

What is it like being a landlord in Philippi, WV?

Rental owners in Philippi, WV deal with a landlord-friendly legal framework. Most standard eviction processes run on reasonable timelines.

How much do tenants pay in Philippi, WV?

Rental rates in Philippi, WV average $783/mo. Tenant demand and $133K home values make the yield look reasonable by investor standards.

What is the median home value in Philippi, WV?

Median home price in Philippi, WV is near $133K, with a 5-year CAGR of 0.0%. Prices have been reliable and supportive of buy-and-hold strategies.

You know 26416 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 26416 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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