Real Estate Investing in Craigsville, West Virginia (26691)

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

Nicholas County • Population: 735 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 26691 (Craigsville, 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
WEAK
2.0 / 5 (38/100)

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: 12.5% of homes vacant — above national norms.
  • Higher unemployment: 9.1% 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 Craigsville, WV (26691)?

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2.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

0.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

4.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $138,494
Avg Monthly Rent $801
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $78,065
% Renters 28.8%

Market Analysis: 26691 Craigsville

ZIP 26691 inside Nicholas County looks affordable on the surface — median value of $138K — but the discount exists for reasons that a careful buyer should understand before committing.

Distressed markets are won on execution, not on spreadsheets. ZIP 26691 registers the profile where tenant screening, deferred maintenance, and local relationships determine the outcome.

In the broader WV picture, 26691 is a reminder that not every low-priced ZIP is a value-add opportunity — some are simply distressed, and the difference matters.

A notable renter share of 29% in 26691 is not, on its own, a problem — but paired with below-average income and high mobility, it changes the operating playbook.

looks to the ZIP is not uninvestable, but it is unforgiving. Section 8 landlords, local operators, and specialized value-add funds are the investor types that tend to succeed.

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 Craigsville:

B+ Great
Buy Confidence Score: 80/100
Affordability
25/25
Appreciation
25/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Affordable
Homes cost 1.8× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+14.9%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $801/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
BALANCED
Even conditions for buyers and sellers
Bottom Line: This area shows favorable conditions for homebuyers. Solid fundamentals with reasonable affordability.

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$149K$140K$132K$123K$115K$106KFeb 2023Nov 2024Jul 2026

📊 How Does 26691 Compare?

Metric 26691 Craigsville West Virginia
Home Value $138,494 $146,735 $169,372
5-Year CAGR N/A 6.2% 6.1%
Avg Rent $801 $834 -
Cap Rate 4.5% 4.4% -
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Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 26691 (Craigsville, WV). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Fair
Cap Rate
4.5%
Fair

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $138,494
Monthly Rent $801
Price-to-Rent 14.4:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 6.9%
Cap Rate 4.5%
5-Year IRR 10.3%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +14.9% ▲
3-Year CAGR +5.8% ▲
5-Year CAGR N/A
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: 4.5%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (4.5%). 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
12.5%
Moderate risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
N/A
Stable
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 26691

Population: 735

💰 Median Household Income
$78,065
This area
$78,065
State
$53,950
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
28.8%
This area
28.8%
State
19.0%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
9.1%
This area
9.1%
State
-19.8%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
25.9%
This area
25.9%
State
-9.6%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
38.0 years
This area
38.0 years
State
-3.8 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
12.5%
This area
12.5%
State
23.5%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 98.7%
Other/Mixed 1.3%
👶 Under 18
36.4%
This area
36.4%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
4.2%
This area
4.2%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
0.0%
This area
0.0%
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

Frequently Asked Questions

How much is rent in Craigsville, WV?

Rents in Craigsville, WV run near $801/mo. Compared with median home prices of $138K that produces solid gross yields for typical rentals.

Is the tenant base reliable in Craigsville, WV?

Tenant demand in Craigsville, WV is solid. The local workforce $801/mo rents across most rental classes.

What is the rental occupancy rate in Craigsville, WV?

Occupancy in Craigsville, WV runs reliable with elevated vacancy. Well-priced units at $801/mo lease on reasonable timelines.

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

Craigsville, WV offers a challenging house-hacking opportunity. Small multifamily or rent-by-the-room plays can pair well with the $801/mo rent level.

What is the smart move for investors in Craigsville, WV?

Most investors in Craigsville, WV run a careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management strategy. It aligns with the 2.0/5 investability profile and the market fundamentals.

You know 26691 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

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