Real Estate Investing in Flatwoods, West Virginia (26621)

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

Braxton County • Population: 920 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 26621 (Flatwoods, WV)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
GOOD FIT
Grade B (73/100)

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
  • Higher unemployment: 15.6% unemployment — tenant risk signal.

• 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 Flatwoods, WV (26621)?

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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 $136,186
Avg Monthly Rent $810
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $40,481
% Renters 23.3%

Market Analysis: 26621 Flatwoods

Not every below-median market is a bargain. Flatwoods's 26621 ZIP records signals that favor experienced operators who can absorb the risk $136K pricing implies.

The 26621 ZIP can work — but only with a tight operating hand. Remote landlords and passive investors tend to struggle here more than the underwriting suggests.

Regionally, 26621 sits on the difficult end of the WV spectrum. The a viable market for read — for disciplined operators — is that pricing reflects the difficulty.

The 26621 ZIP's population of 920 has faced economic pressure over the last decade. That pressure shows up in rent delinquency patterns that posts the need for careful underwriting.

The 26621 ZIP fits a narrow investor profile — hands-on, patient, and willing to accept that the cap rate on paper is not the cap rate in reality.

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 Flatwoods:

C+ Average
Buy Confidence Score: 64/100
Affordability
20/25
Appreciation
14/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 3.4× the median income
Value Trend
Declining (-0.3%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $810/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.

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$147K$136K$124K$113K$102K$91KFeb 2019Nov 2022Jul 2026

📊 How Does 26621 Compare?

Metric 26621 Flatwoods West Virginia
Home Value $136,186 $148,101 $169,372
5-Year CAGR 1.8% 3.1% 6.1%
Avg Rent $810 $819 -
Cap Rate 4.6% 4.4% -
💡 Why Invest in 26621? 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 26621 (Flatwoods, WV). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
4.6%
Fair
5yr Growth
+1.8%
Slow

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $136,186
Monthly Rent $810
Price-to-Rent 14.0:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 7.1%
Cap Rate 4.6%
5-Year IRR 6.4%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year -0.3% ▼
3-Year CAGR +0.9% ▲
5-Year CAGR +1.8% ▲
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.

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⚠️ Risk Signals

Composite view of factors that can impact a ZIP's stability and your downside risk.

Vacancy
4.1%
Low risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+1.8%
Flat
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 26621

Population: 920

💰 Median Household Income
$40,481
This area
$40,481
State
$53,950
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
23.3%
This area
23.3%
State
19.0%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
15.6%
This area
15.6%
State
-19.8%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
8.9%
This area
8.9%
State
-9.6%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
33.0 years
This area
33.0 years
State
-3.8 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
4.1%
This area
4.1%
State
23.5%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 97.6%
Other/Mixed 2.4%
Hispanic/Latino 0.8%
👶 Under 18
21.6%
This area
21.6%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
17.7%
This area
17.7%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
17.7%
This area
17.7%
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 26621

B Avg School Grade
1 Schools
13.4:1 Avg Class Size
$13,977 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

B Good

Flatwoods Elementary School

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
163 Students
👨‍🏫
13.4:1 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

Does Flatwoods, WV make sense for an investment property?

Investors tracking Flatwoods, WV will find a 3.0/5 rating supported by $136K median home values and $810/mo rents. That profile suits long-term holders targeting even-keeled returns.

How qualified is the tenant pool in Flatwoods, WV?

Flatwoods, WV offers a even-keeled renter base at the $810/mo rent level. Tenant turnover is reasonable for well-managed properties.

What approach is best for Flatwoods, WV real estate?

Most investors in Flatwoods, 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.

Is Flatwoods, WV good for house hacking?

House hacking in Flatwoods, WV is reasonable to execute. Prices around $136K and rents of $810/mo solid owner-occupant economics.

How much rent can I charge in Flatwoods, WV?

The typical rental in Flatwoods, WV commands about $810/mo monthly. That rent profile stable cash flow against the $136K purchase basis.

You know 26621 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 26621 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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