Real Estate Investing in Flatwoods, West Virginia (26627)

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

Braxton County • Population: 376 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 26627 (Flatwoods, WV)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
CAUTION
Grade D (40/100)

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

📈 For Investors
MIXED
3.0 / 5 (47/100)

A middle-of-the-road market. Workable, but the best opportunities may be nearby ZIPs rather than this one.

⚠️ Risks to Know
3 flags
  • High vacancy: 13.7% of homes vacant — above national norms.
  • Elevated poverty: 62.2% poverty rate — can affect rent collection.
  • Higher unemployment: 7.3% 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 (26627)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

2.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

3.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $169,002
Avg Monthly Rent $819
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income N/A
% Renters 29.3%

Market Analysis: 26627 Flatwoods

The 26627 ZIP in Flatwoods, WV is a local-operator market. Outside capital chasing a $169K entry has to pair deep knowledge with the discount.

Rent of $819/mo on a $169K basis reads well until vacancy, delinquency, and capex enter the model. The honest cap rate in 26627 sits below the stated 0.0% once reality is priced in.

Within WV, ZIP 26627 trails on several market indicators that neighboring Braxton County submarkets outperform. The gap is real and substantial enough to shape underwriting.

A durable renter share of 29% in 26627 is not, on its own, a problem — but paired with below-average income and high mobility, it changes the operating playbook.

The right play in 26627 usually involves deep tenant screening, aggressive delinquency response, and a conservative capex buffer. Anything less, and the discount can turn into a trap.

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:

Affordability
Affordable
Homes cost × the median income
Value Trend
Stable (+0.2%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $819/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
BALANCED
Even conditions for buyers and sellers
Bottom Line: This market may be challenging for buyers. Consider your timing and budget carefully.

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$184K$166K$149K$132K$115K$98KFeb 2019Nov 2022Jul 2026

📊 How Does 26627 Compare?

Metric 26627 Flatwoods West Virginia
Home Value $169,002 $148,101 $169,372
5-Year CAGR 4.6% 3.1% 6.1%
Avg Rent $819 $819 -
Cap Rate 3.8% 4.4% -
💡 Why Invest in 26627? 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 26627 (Flatwoods, WV). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
3.8%
Low
5yr Growth
+4.6%
Moderate

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $169,002
Monthly Rent $819
Price-to-Rent 17.2:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 5.8%
Cap Rate 3.8%
5-Year IRR 8.3%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +0.2% ▲
3-Year CAGR +3.5% ▲
5-Year CAGR +4.6% ▲
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: 3.8%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (3.8%). 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
13.7%
Moderate risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+4.6%
Stable
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 26627

Population: 376

💰 Median Household Income
N/A
🏠 Renter Occupied
29.3%
This area
29.3%
State
19.0%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
7.3%
This area
7.3%
State
-19.8%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
0.0%
This area
0.0%
State
-9.6%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
29.7 years
This area
29.7 years
State
-3.8 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
13.7%
This area
13.7%
State
23.5%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 100.0%
👶 Under 18
28.8%
This area
28.8%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
4.9%
This area
4.9%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
62.2%
This area
62.2%
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 26627

Nearby Schools (1 more)

Schools in adjacent ZIP codes that may serve this area

B Good

Flatwoods Elementary School

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
📍 142 Flatwoods Corner Rd, Flatwoods
👥
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

Are tenants stable in Flatwoods, WV?

Flatwoods, WV draws a steady base of working renters. Demand at the $819/mo rent level is reasonable for standard single-family and small multi rentals.

What approach is best for Flatwoods, WV real estate?

Investors who focus on careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management typically do well in Flatwoods, WV. The numbers - $169K homes against $819/mo rents - support that play.

How much should I expect to pay for a home in Flatwoods, WV?

Expect median prices around $169K in Flatwoods, WV. The market has run at a 0.0% 5-year CAGR, so entry costs have been predictable.

Is Flatwoods, WV a good market for FHA house hackers?

Flatwoods, WV is a a challenging market for house hackers. FHA or conventional owner-occupant buyers find the $169K price point reasonable to enter.

Is Flatwoods, WV a smart market for rental property?

With a 3.0/5 investability score, Flatwoods, WV ranks as a solid market for rental property investors. Median prices of $169K and rents of $819/mo drive the underlying numbers.

You know 26627 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 26627 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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