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West Virginia market guide
DSCR loans in Hurricane, WV
Rental financing for Hurricane investors, qualified on the property's rent.
In Hurricane, WV, rental investors qualify on the property's rent instead of personal income. The market data behind that: $878 median rent, $210,500 median home value and 33% of households renting.
Hurricane rental market at a glance
For Hurricane, the latest five-year ACS shows a median gross rent of $878 (close to the West Virginia median of $872) and a median owner-occupied value of $210,500 (well above the West Virginia median of $162,600). The gross rent-to-value ratio for Hurricane works out to 5.0% (twelve months of median rent divided by median value), on the low side, so the payment, not the rent, usually decides whether a file clears. The figure combines all rental types with all owner-occupied homes, so it is a screening number and not an appraisal.
| Indicator | West Virginia | Hurricane | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Share in 2-4 unit buildings | 4.9% | 5.3% | +9% |
| Share of homes detached | 70.9% | 77.4% | +9% |
| Degree holders, age 25+ | 24.1% | 37.5% | +56% |
| Workers on their own account | 6.8% | 4.3% | -37% |
| Renters paying 30%+ of income | 48.9% | 29.5% | -40% |
| Units sitting vacant | 15.4% | 5.9% | -62% |
| Typical construction year | 1976 | 1979 | |
| Annual rent divided by value | 6.4% | 5.0% | -22% |
| Households that rent | 25.1% | 32.7% | +30% |
| Tax as a share of home value | 0.53% | 0.71% | +33% |
| Annual property tax bill, median | $865 | $1,486 | +72% |
| Household income, median | $59,608 | $71,167 | +19% |
| Typical owner-occupied value | $162,600 | $210,500 | +29% |
| Typical monthly rent | $872 | $878 | +1% |
| Residents (Census estimate) | 1,778,373 | 6,855 |
Hurricane is an owner-heavy city: 67% of households own, and renters are just 32.7% (well above the West Virginia median of 25%). Tenant demand is narrower and concentrated in pockets. The median household brings in $71,167 (about 19% above the West Virginia median of $59,608), with 30% of renters paying 30 percent or more of income toward rent.
Property types and condition in Hurricane
Single-family detached housing accounts for 77% of the units counted in Hurricane, so expect house-style comparables in most appraisals. Homes here date to 1979 at the median, which is old enough to need system replacement but modern enough to avoid the worst surprises.
Roughly 6% of units in Hurricane sit vacant, and the share of rentals available for rent is 0.0% at the survey's snapshot.
Reading Hurricane as an investor
At 5.0% gross, Hurricane is a tight market for DSCR math, and investors often turn to interest-only structures, higher rents on renovated units or small multifamily to make the ratio clear. Median build year 1979 puts the typical Hurricane rental in its second set of major systems. With renters at 33% of households, plan for a longer marketing period and a smaller tenant pool than in a renter-heavy city.
Taxes, insurance and hazards in Hurricane
Homeowners in Hurricane paid a median $1,486 in real estate taxes, well above the West Virginia median of $865, an effective rate near 0.71% of home value against 0.53% statewide. Compared with annual median rent, the tax line is about 14%.
Putnam County carries a relatively low overall rating in FEMA's National Risk Index, where landslides (relatively moderate), riverine flooding (relatively moderate) and heat waves (relatively moderate) rank highest.
| Hazard in Putnam County, FEMA index | Level |
|---|---|
| Ice storms exposure | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat waves exposure | Relatively Moderate |
| Riverine flooding exposure | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslides exposure | Relatively Moderate |
| Social vulnerability score | Relatively Low |
| Annualized loss estimate | Relatively Low |
| Composite risk | Relatively Low |
A Hurricane landlord policy is priced on roof, age, wiring and location, and the annual premium divided by twelve lands in the payment the lender tests.
The ratio in Hurricane dollars
The quick test for Hurricane: rent of $878 divided by a 1.25 ratio allows a total payment of $702, and subtracting $124 in monthly taxes leaves $579 for the loan, insurance and dues. At 1.00 the allowance is the full $754.
Registration, deposits and nightly stays in Hurricane
For Hurricane, treat local rental rules as an open question to close before you offer. Ask the city and Putnam County about landlord registration, inspections and short-term rental permits, and check association documents too. Nightly stays carry state tax in West Virginia. West Virginia taxes lodging rentals of 30 consecutive days or less, so owners register with the State Tax Department and collect state and municipal sales tax, while county or municipal hotel occupancy taxes are separate and locally administered.
The return clock runs 60 days from move-out in West Virginia, so Hurricane landlords should keep move-in photos and repair receipts.
Hurricane compared with nearby markets
Huntington's median home value of $127,200 is the group's floor and Charleston's $203,300 its ceiling, while Hurricane is $210,500.
| Market | Renter share | Tax bill | Home value | Residents | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Huntington | 47% | $909 | $127,200 | 45,787 | $912 |
| Charleston | 37% | $1,447 | $203,300 | 47,421 | $908 |
| Hurricane | 33% | $1,486 | $210,500 | 6,855 | $878 |
Who rents in Hurricane
Roughly 4.3% of employed people in Hurricane are self-employed, a base of investors and landlords for whom a rent-based loan is a practical option. The same survey shows government workers are about 20% of employment, 38% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher and 12% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more.
Next steps for a Hurricane purchase
Ready to test a Hurricane deal? Use the calculator for the ratio, then start your application or send us the scenario.
More West Virginia markets
- All West Virginia DSCR loans
- DSCR loans in Charleston, WV
- DSCR loans in Huntington, WV
- Every market we cover
Source links
- Census ACS profile behind the Hurricane figures
- National Risk Index entry, Putnam County
- Hurricane overview (Wikipedia)
- Hurricane landlords: see W. Va. Code §§ 37-6A-1, 37-6A-2, 37-6A-3, 37-6A-5
- West Virginia State Tax Department, TSD 316 (West Virginia)
Numbers for Hurricane come from the Census Bureau's 2020 to 2024 ACS and are survey estimates. Deposit and notice summaries come from RedFlagLease (CC BY 4.0) and the linked West Virginia sections. Facts were checked in October 2026, and rules change.
Before you make an offer
On a Hurricane purchase, line up the lease, the tax estimate, the insurance quote and any association dues before the appraisal is ordered, and ask the appraiser's office what rent comparables they plan to use.
DSCR loan availability varies by property and lender program and is not an offer to lend. See our disclosures.
Frequently asked questions
What rent do DSCR lenders use for a Hurricane rental?
Underwriters take the lease if one exists and compare it with the appraisal's rent estimate; the lower figure often governs. Hurricane median rent is $878.
Does the ratio in Hurricane include taxes and dues?
Yes, the payment includes principal, interest, taxes, insurance and association dues. At the Hurricane median rent of $878, a 1.25 ratio allows about $702 in total payment, of which roughly $124 a month goes to median taxes.
Are Hurricane property taxes high for West Virginia?
About $1,486 a year at the median, which is 0.71% of value and well above the West Virginia median of $865. Reassessment after a purchase can move that number, so get an estimate for the actual price.
What about VRBO or Airbnb income on a Hurricane purchase?
It depends on the program and on local law. A Hurricane owner needs the right permit or registration, an association that allows nightly stays, and documented bookings.
Are there deposit limits for Hurricane rentals?
Return: 60 days. Statute: W. Va. Code §§ 37-6A-1, 37-6A-2, 37-6A-3, 37-6A-5. Confirm current text before you rely on it.
How exposed is Hurricane to natural hazards?
The county scores relatively low overall in FEMA's index, with landslides leading. Parcel-level flood maps and a real insurance quote give the answer that counts.
How do LLC closings work for Hurricane rentals?
You do not need one, and many investors close in an entity. If you use an LLC, the lender asks for formation documents and usually a personal guaranty. Talk to your attorney and accountant about structure for a West Virginia property.