Real Estate Investing in Martins Ferry, Ohio (43935)

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

Belmont County • Population: 7,918 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 43935 (Martins Ferry, OH)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
MIXED
Grade C (68/100)

Mixed signals — some positives, some negatives. Worth considering but not a slam-dunk.

📈 For Investors
MIXED
3.0 / 5 (57/100)

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
3 flags
  • High vacancy: 16.9% of homes vacant — above national norms.
  • Elevated poverty: 21.3% poverty rate — can affect rent collection.
  • Higher unemployment: 10.0% unemployment — tenant risk signal.

• Modeled rent — no observed market rent for this ZIP; the figure is estimated from HUD fair-market rent.

What’s happening in Martins Ferry, OH (43935)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

2.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

5.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $96,021
Avg Monthly Rent $873
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $44,984
% Renters 40.4%

Market Analysis: 43935 Martins Ferry

The 43935 ZIP covers a section of Martins Ferry that demands careful diligence. Prices near $96K look accessible, but the work to make a deal cash flow is real.

Distressed markets are won on execution, not on spreadsheets. ZIP 43935 sits at the profile where tenant screening, deferred maintenance, and local relationships determine the outcome.

Within OH, ZIP 43935 trails on several market indicators that neighboring Belmont County submarkets outperform. The gap is real and durable enough to shape underwriting.

Demographically, 43935 is a market where tenant selection matters more than unit finishes. Operators who understand that tend to do fine; those who do not tend to learn why the ZIP trades at a discount.

Distressed ZIPs reward experience. solid returns are possible in 43935, 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 Martins Ferry:

C+ Average
Buy Confidence Score: 69/100
Affordability
25/25
Appreciation
14/25
Stability
9/20
Timing
6/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Affordable
Homes cost 2.1× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+8.0%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $873/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
WARM
Seller-favorable conditions, steady activity
Bottom Line: Mixed signals in this market. Research specific properties carefully and be prepared to negotiate.
☀️
WARM MARKET
Wheeling, WV-OH Metro Area
Seller-favorable conditions, steady activity
0 days
Average time to sell
Very Fast
8.7%
Listings with price cuts
Few Cuts
0.0%
Sale price vs asking
Below Ask
0.0%
Income needed for mortgage
Affordable
📅 Market conditions as of August 29, 2026 — updated weekly from Wheeling, WV-OH metro data
🏠

Property Strategy for 43935

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
2BR
9.6% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
3BR
+3.5% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
4BR
$32,407/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $72,894 $970 9.6% +1.9% $36,447
3BR $116,829 $1,250 7.7% +3.5% $38,943
4BR $129,629 $1,390 7.7% +2.9% $32,407

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$104K$93K$82K$72K$61K$50KJul 2009Jan 2018Jul 2026

📊 How Does 43935 Compare?

Metric 43935 Martins Ferry Wheeling, WV-OH Ohio
Home Value $96,021 $96,021 N/A $237,530
5-Year CAGR 2.9% 2.9% N/A 7.4%
Avg Rent $873 $873 N/A -
Cap Rate 7.1% 7.1% - -
💡 Why Invest in 43935? Click to expand

With a 3/5 investability rating, this ZIP shows solid fundamentals for buy-and-hold investors.

A healthy rental market with 40% renter-occupied households ensures tenant availability.

📊 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 43935 (Martins Ferry, OH). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
7.1%
Good
5yr Growth
+2.9%
Slow

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $96,021
Monthly Rent $873
Price-to-Rent 9.2:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 10.9%
Cap Rate 7.1%
5-Year IRR 10.0%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +8.0% ▲
3-Year CAGR +3.6% ▲
5-Year CAGR +2.9% ▲
10-Year CAGR +4.8% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Neutral Leverage Cap Rate: 7.1%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage is roughly neutral here.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) is close to the estimated cap rate (7.1%). Financing this market at current rates produces a cash-on-cash return near the cap rate. Appreciation and tax benefits may still support the investment.

⚠️ Risk Signals

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

Vacancy
16.9%
Elevated risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+2.9%
Stable
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 43935

Population: 7,918

💰 Median Household Income
$44,984
This area
$44,984
State
$68,496
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
40.4%
This area
40.4%
State
25.8%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
10.0%
This area
10.0%
State
-9.1%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
10.8%
This area
10.8%
State
8.4%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
39.9 years
This area
39.9 years
State
19.6 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
16.9%
This area
16.9%
State
11.1%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 83.5%
Other/Mixed 10.2%
Black/African American 4.3%
Asian 2.0%
Hispanic/Latino 1.4%
👶 Under 18
19.6%
This area
19.6%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
19.5%
This area
19.5%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
21.3%
This area
21.3%
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 43935

B+ Avg School Grade
3 Schools
16.9:1 Avg Class Size
$15,500 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A Very Good

Martins Ferry High School

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
380 Students
👨‍🏫
12.7:1 Class Size
💰
$15,500 Per Student
B Good

Anna Marie Ayers Elementary School

📚 Pre-K – 04 Elementary
👥
527 Students
👨‍🏫
18.8:1 Class Size
💰
$15,500 Per Student
B Good

Martins Ferry Middle School

📚 05 – 08 School
👥
403 Students
👨‍🏫
19.2:1 Class Size
💰
$15,500 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.

🎓 Nearby Colleges & Universities

8 Nearby 916 Off-Campus Students
C
Elite Academy of Hair Design
84 students · 4.1 mi
C
West Virginia Northern Community College
1,263 students · 4.5 mi
D
Wheeling University
748 students · 4.9 mi
C+
West Liberty University
2,348 students · 8.4 mi
C
Bethany College
671 students · 11.6 mi
C
Belmont College
833 students · 11.7 mi
B
B M Spurr School of Practical Nursing
16 students · 12.3 mi
C
Ohio University-Eastern Campus
1,149 students · 12.3 mi

Investor Insight: With 916 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do tenants pay in Martins Ferry, OH?

Investors in Martins Ferry, OH typically see rents near $873/mo per month against $96K home values - a solid setup for rental cash flow.

Does Martins Ferry, OH favor landlords or tenants?

For rental operators, Martins Ferry, OH rates as landlord-friendly. The regulatory environment standard buy-and-hold operations.

What is the best play in Martins Ferry, OH?

Investors who focus on careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management typically do well in Martins Ferry, OH. The numbers - $96K homes against $873/mo rents - support that play.

What is the typical vacancy rate in Martins Ferry, OH?

Rental vacancy in Martins Ferry, OH is elevated. Investors should budget normal turnover but not chronic empty units.

Is Martins Ferry, OH a good market for FHA house hackers?

House hacking in Martins Ferry, OH is a challenging. With home values around $96K and rents at $873/mo, owner-occupants can offset a meaningful share of PITI.

You know 43935 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

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How 43935 ranks in Wheeling, WV-OH

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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