Real Estate Investing in Upper Tract, West Virginia (26866)

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

Pendleton County • Population: 911 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 26866 (Upper Tract, WV)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

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

Solid choice — values are growing steadily and the market is stable enough to buy with confidence.

📈 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
1 flag
  • High vacancy: 44.2% 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 Upper Tract, WV (26866)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

3.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

3.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $219,577
Avg Monthly Rent $792
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $77,969
% Renters 18.4%

Market Analysis: 26866 Upper Tract

The 26866 ZIP covers a section of Upper Tract that demands careful diligence. Prices near $220K look accessible, but the work to make a deal cash flow is real.

The 26866 ZIP can work — but only with a tight operating hand. Remote landlords and passive investors tend to struggle here more than the underwriting suggests.

Statewide comparisons place 26866 among WV's softer markets. That context does not make the ZIP uninvestable, but it does raise the bar for due diligence.

Who lives in 26866 is part of why the ZIP is priced as it is. The demographic profile requires hands-on management, tight screening, and local knowledge.

Distressed ZIPs reward experience. sturdy returns are possible in 26866, but they flow to investors who already understand how to operate in soft markets.

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 Upper Tract:

B Good
Buy Confidence Score: 75/100
Affordability
20/25
Appreciation
25/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Affordable
Homes cost 2.8× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+10.7%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $792/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)

$236K$212K$187K$162K$138K$113KFeb 2019Nov 2022Jul 2026

📊 How Does 26866 Compare?

Metric 26866 Upper Tract West Virginia
Home Value $219,577 $219,577 $169,372
5-Year CAGR 7.3% 7.3% 6.1%
Avg Rent $792 $792 -
Cap Rate 2.8% 2.8% -
💡 Why Invest in 26866? 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 26866 (Upper Tract, WV). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
2.8%
Low
5yr Growth
+7.3%
Strong

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $219,577
Monthly Rent $792
Price-to-Rent 23.1:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 4.3%
Cap Rate 2.8%
5-Year IRR 10.1%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +10.7% ▲
3-Year CAGR +8.0% ▲
5-Year CAGR +7.3% ▲
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: 2.8%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (2.8%). 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.

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⚠️ Risk Signals

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

Vacancy
44.2%
Elevated risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+7.3%
Growing
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 26866

Population: 911

💰 Median Household Income
$77,969
This area
$77,969
State
$53,950
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
18.4%
This area
18.4%
State
19.0%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
0.0%
This area
0.0%
State
-19.8%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
19.3%
This area
19.3%
State
-9.6%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
43.6 years
This area
43.6 years
State
-3.8 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
44.2%
This area
44.2%
State
23.5%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 97.7%
Black/African American 1.2%
Asian 1.1%
👶 Under 18
30.6%
This area
30.6%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
19.1%
This area
19.1%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
7.8%
This area
7.8%
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

🎓 Nearby Colleges & Universities

1 Nearby
D
Future Generations University
44 students · 10.6 mi

Frequently Asked Questions

Where do rents currently stand in Upper Tract, WV?

Investors in Upper Tract, WV typically see rents near $792/mo per month against $220K home values - a solid setup for rental cash flow.

Is housing expensive in Upper Tract, WV?

Upper Tract, WV home values average about $220K. That price point suits investors targeting rentals with $792/mo in monthly income.

What is the typical vacancy rate in Upper Tract, WV?

Occupancy in Upper Tract, WV runs stable with elevated vacancy. Well-priced units at $792/mo lease on reasonable timelines.

How deep is the rental pool in Upper Tract, WV?

The tenant pool in Upper Tract, WV is solid, supported by local employment and population fundamentals. Rents of $792/mo are well-absorbed by the market.

Is Upper Tract in WV worth investing in?

Our data puts Upper Tract, WV at 3.0/5 for investability. Home prices of $220K and rents around $792/mo create a solid backdrop for investor activity.

You know 26866 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 26866 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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