Real Estate Investing in West Milford, West Virginia (26451)

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

Harrison County • Population: 529 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 26451 (West Milford, WV)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
MIXED
Grade C (65/100)

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

📈 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: 27.2% of homes vacant — above national norms.

• 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 West Milford, WV (26451)?

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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 $143,155
Avg Monthly Rent $783
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $59,297
% Renters 9.6%

Market Analysis: 26451 West Milford

The 26451 ZIP in West Milford, WV is a local-operator market. Outside capital chasing a $143K entry has to pair deep knowledge with the discount.

The investment case in 26451 is substantial only for operators who understand what they are buying. A $143K median suggests accessibility, but management intensity, vacancy drift, and capex surprises are real.

Within WV, ZIP 26451 trails on several market indicators that neighboring Harrison County submarkets outperform. The gap is real and sturdy enough to shape underwriting.

The 26451 ZIP's population of 529 has faced economic pressure over the last decade. That pressure shows up in rent delinquency patterns that stands at the need for careful underwriting.

Strategy in 26451 is an operator game, not a passive one. From a cash-flow lens, entry prices of $143K 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 2.4× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+4.4%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $783/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

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$148K$138K$128K$118K$108K$99KFeb 2019Nov 2022Jul 2026

📊 How Does 26451 Compare?

Metric 26451 West Milford Clarksburg, WV West Virginia
Home Value $143,155 $157,845 N/A $169,372
5-Year CAGR 3.7% 4.0% N/A 6.1%
Avg Rent $783 $878 N/A -
Cap Rate 4.3% 4.3% - -
💡 Why Invest in 26451? Click to expand

With a 3/5 investability rating, this ZIP shows solid fundamentals for buy-and-hold investors.

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Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 26451 (West Milford, WV). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
4.3%
Fair
5yr Growth
+3.7%
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 $143,155
Monthly Rent $783
Price-to-Rent 15.2:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 6.6%
Cap Rate 4.3%
5-Year IRR 8.0%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +4.4% ▲
3-Year CAGR +3.6% ▲
5-Year CAGR +3.7% ▲
10-Year CAGR N/A

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 4.3%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (4.3%). 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
27.2%
Elevated risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+3.7%
Stable
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 26451

Population: 529

💰 Median Household Income
$59,297
This area
$59,297
State
$53,950
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
9.6%
This area
9.6%
State
19.0%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
2.4%
This area
2.4%
State
-19.8%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
24.8%
This area
24.8%
State
-9.6%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
32.4 years
This area
32.4 years
State
-3.8 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
27.2%
This area
27.2%
State
23.5%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 97.2%
Other/Mixed 2.8%
Hispanic/Latino 2.0%
👶 Under 18
25.3%
This area
25.3%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
7.8%
This area
7.8%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
1.6%
This area
1.6%
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 26451

A Avg School Grade
1 Schools
12.3:1 Avg Class Size
$14,955 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A Very Good

West Milford Elementary School

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
387 Students
👨‍🏫
12.3:1 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

4 Nearby 7 Off-Campus Students
C+
Clarksburg Beauty Academy and School of Massage Therapy
58 students · 6.3 mi
C+
United Technical Center
26 students · 7.7 mi
C
West Virginia Junior College-Bridgeport
175 students · 9.0 mi
D
Salem University
894 students · 10.7 mi

Frequently Asked Questions

Is West Milford, WV a smart market for rental property?

With a 3.0/5 investability score, West Milford, WV ranks as a solid market for rental property investors. Median prices of $143K and rents of $783/mo drive the underlying numbers.

What is the smart move for investors in West Milford, WV?

Most investors in West Milford, 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.

What are rental rates like in West Milford, WV?

Average rent in West Milford, WV is approximately $783/mo per month. Against $143K home values that yields a reasonable rent-to-price ratio.

Are eviction rules reasonable in West Milford, WV?

West Milford, WV falls under WV landlord-tenant law, which is landlord-friendly. That backdrop makes day-to-day property management reasonable.

What kind of vacancy should I budget for in West Milford, WV?

West Milford, WV vacancy trends elevated. Investors running standard buy-and-hold plays see reasonable downtime between tenants.

You know 26451 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 26451 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 26451 ranks in Clarksburg, WV

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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