Vienna’s housing stock is dominated by 1950s–1970s brick ranches and two-story colonials averaging 1,450 sq ft. In 2024 the median sale price sits at $185,000, up 4.1 % year-over-year—healthy but not overheated. Homes spend a median of 21 days on market, and sellers are receiving about 97 % of list price, giving buyers room to negotiate inspections and closing costs.

• Entry level: $110k–$150k for a 2-bed ranch in East Vienna or a fixer-upper south of Murdoch Avenue.
• Move-up range: $180k–$240k for updated 3-bed homes in North Hills or Vienna Terrace.
• Top tier: $300k+ for river-front custom builds with Ohio River views and deeded boat slips.

Wood County’s foreclosure rate is 1 in 2,340 households—well below the national average—so traditional sellers dominate, keeping appraisal values stable.

Vienna residents pay property tax to Wood County, the City of Vienna, and the Vienna School District. The combined effective rate is 0.57 %, or $5.70 per $1,000 of assessed value. West Virginia assesses at 60 % of market value, so a $185,000 home is taxed on $111,000, yielding an annual bill near $632—about $53 a month.

Homestead Exemption: Homeowners 65 or permanently disabled can exempt the first $20,000 of assessed value, saving roughly $115 per year.

Insurance costs: Because Vienna sits outside FEMA’s 100-year flood plain, homeowner premiums average $980 annually, 20 % below the state mean. If you buy in the riverfront flood zone, expect an additional $550–$800 for preferred-risk flood coverage.

First-time buyers gravitate toward three core areas where starter inventory stays under $175k and commute times to Parkersburg remain under 12 minutes.

East Vienna (off 19th & 21st Streets): 1940s–1950s bungalows on 0.15-acre lots. Average sale $135k; walkable to Grand Central Elementary and the city pool.

Vienna Terrace subdivision: 1960s brick ranches, many with attached garages and fenced yards. Average $165k, HOA-free, and served by Vienna Elementary (GreatSchools 8/10).

Murdoch Avenue corridor: Mixed housing with strong rental demand—ideal if you plan to house-hack a duplex. Prices from $125k for a 2-unit needing TLC to $210k for a fully renovated side-by-side.

All three zones qualify for FHA 203(k) renovation loans, so you can roll up to $35,000 of repairs into one 30-year fixed.

WV Housing Development Fund (WVHDF) offers two grant layers Vienna buyers can stack:

• HomeOwnership Program: $7,500 forgivable after 5 years; 0 % interest deferred second.
• Movin’ Up Program: $5,000 if you buy a previously owned home—no first-time buyer requirement.

Wood County LIFT Program: Workforce employees (teachers, nurses, police, EMS) receive $10,000 at 0 % for 10 years; $100/month keeps the balance at zero interest.

NMHL Gift Match: Bring $500 of your own funds and we’ll match another $500 toward down payment or closing costs; available on FHA, VA, and USDA loans in Vienna city limits.

Combined, a qualified Vienna teacher could walk to closing with as little as $500 out-of-pocket on a $150,000 purchase.

More than 1,400 veterans and active-duty families live in the 26105 zip code, yet only 38 % use their VA benefit—far below the national 60 % take-rate. Vienna’s median VA loan last year was $192,000 with zero down and a 2.25 % funding fee (waived for 10 %+ service-connected disabilities).

Wood County Veterans Affairs office on 3rd Street offers free COEs in 24 hours, and NMHL has a VA-savvy appraisal roster that clears the 10-day MPR (Minimum Property Requirements) checklist for older Vienna homes.

Surviving spouses can still secure 100 % financing even if the veteran passed away; the only add-on is a 0.5 % higher funding fee unless exempt.

If you’re stationed at the Parkersburg Naval Reserve Center or commuting to Wright-Patterson AFB, the VA loan’s flexible DTI (up to 60 % with residual income) can out-qualify conventional buyers in multiple-offer situations.

Wood County’s small-business economy—everything from oil-field services to Etsy crafters—means tax returns rarely reflect true cash flow. NMHL’s Bank-Statement Express allows Vienna borrowers to qualify with:

• 12 or 24 months of business bank statements
• Expense factor as low as 15 % for home-based businesses
• Loan amounts to $1.25 million with 10 % down
• DTI up to 50 % with strong credit

Recent Vienna closings include a two-person plumbing contractor who qualified for $310,000 using 24 months of statements showing $142k average annual deposits, and a boutique owner on Grand Central Avenue who purchased a $225k rehabbed cottage with only 12 % down.

We also offer 1099 Only programs for gig workers and traveling nurses—no tax returns required if 1099s total at least two years.