Real Estate Investing in Sutton, West Virginia (26601)

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

Braxton County • Population: 3,767 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 26601 (Sutton, 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: 35.5% 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 Sutton, WV (26601)?

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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 $134,284
Avg Monthly Rent $783
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $46,875
% Renters 21.4%

Market Analysis: 26601 Sutton

The 26601 ZIP covers a section of Sutton that demands careful diligence. Prices near $134K look accessible, but the work to make a deal cash flow is real.

If the plan assumes clean turnover, on-time rent, and low maintenance on a $134K asset, 26601 is the wrong submarket. If the plan prices in friction, the yield can still work.

Within WV, ZIP 26601 trails on several market indicators that neighboring Braxton County submarkets outperform. The gap is real and resilient enough to shape underwriting.

Resident income in 26601 sits below the county median. That reality colors rent collection, vacancy, and reinvestment math in ways that outside investors often underestimate.

Strategically, 26601 can be a high-return sleeve of a diversified portfolio — but it should not be the whole portfolio, and it should not be someone's first deal.

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 Sutton:

C+ Average
Buy Confidence Score: 68/100
Affordability
20/25
Appreciation
18/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Affordable
Homes cost 2.9× the median income
Value Trend
Declining (-2.0%)
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 26601

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
2BR
5.7% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
2BR
+8.3% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
4BR
$45,654/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $108,959 $870 5.7% +8.3% $54,480
3BR $157,593 $1,150 5.3% +6.4% $52,531
4BR $182,615 $1,310 5.2% +4.6% $45,654

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$149K$135K$121K$107K$93K$79KFeb 2019Nov 2022Jul 2026

📊 How Does 26601 Compare?

Metric 26601 Sutton West Virginia
Home Value $134,284 $150,015 $169,372
5-Year CAGR 3.4% 4.1% 6.1%
Avg Rent $783 $797 -
Cap Rate 4.6% 4.2% -
💡 Why Invest in 26601? 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 →
A great house in the wrong ZIP is still a bad deal — screen every market by cash flow & cap rate.
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Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 26601 (Sutton, WV). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
4.6%
Fair
5yr Growth
+3.4%
Moderate

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $134,284
Monthly Rent $783
Price-to-Rent 14.3:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 7.0%
Cap Rate 4.6%
5-Year IRR 7.9%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year -2.0% ▼
3-Year CAGR +1.4% ▲
5-Year CAGR +3.4% ▲
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: 4.6%  |  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
35.5%
Elevated risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+3.4%
Stable
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 26601

Population: 3,767

💰 Median Household Income
$46,875
This area
$46,875
State
$53,950
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
21.4%
This area
21.4%
State
19.0%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
6.3%
This area
6.3%
State
-19.8%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
11.9%
This area
11.9%
State
-9.6%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
51.0 years
This area
51.0 years
State
-3.8 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
35.5%
This area
35.5%
State
23.5%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 80.0%
Other/Mixed 18.5%
Hispanic/Latino 17.0%
Black/African American 1.3%
Asian 0.3%
👶 Under 18
15.4%
This area
15.4%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
22.6%
This area
22.6%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
7.5%
This area
7.5%
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 26601

B Avg School Grade
4 Schools
12.9:1 Avg Class Size
$13,977 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

B+ Above Average

Braxton County High School

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
507 Students
👨‍🏫
13.9:1 Class Size
💰
$13,977 Per Student
B Good

Braxton County Middle School

📚 06 – 08 Middle
👥
382 Students
👨‍🏫
15.9:1 Class Size
💰
$13,977 Per Student
B Good

Little Birch Elementary School

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
86 Students
👨‍🏫
8.6:1 Class Size
💰
$13,977 Per Student
B Good

Sutton Elementary School

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
149 Students
👨‍🏫
13.3:1 Class Size
💰
$13,977 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

Is Sutton in WV worth investing in?

The 3.0/5 investability rating in Sutton, WV reflects its $134K prices and $783/mo rents. Investors generally consider it a solid option within WV.

Is housing expensive in Sutton, WV?

In Sutton, WV the median home value sits at $134K. Against the broader WV market, that reads as reasonable for most investors.

Is vacancy a concern in Sutton, WV?

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

Is Sutton, WV suited for a house hack?

Sutton, WV is a a challenging market for house hackers. FHA or conventional owner-occupant buyers find the $134K price point reasonable to enter.

What are rental rates like in Sutton, WV?

Expect rents around $783/mo per month in Sutton, WV. With home values at $134K, the yield math works out to reasonable levels for rental investors.

You know 26601 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

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