Scoring Formula
RenoScore™ is a 100-point composite index. Each market is scored across 7 dimensions; raw metric values are transformed into percentile ranks against the full NC + SC distribution, then mapped to points within each dimension's weight cap.
Data Sources
Every metric is sourced from a named, public or licensed dataset with a documented vintage date. We do not use proprietary black-box estimates.
| Source | Data Used | Vintage | Coverage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zillow ZHVI | Median home value, YoY appreciation | 2026 | ZIP level, NC + SC |
| Zillow ZORI | Median asking rent per month | 2026 | ZIP level, NC + SC |
| Zillow DOM | Median days on market | 2026 | ZIP level, NC + SC |
| Census ACS 5yr | Median HH income, population, renter %, median age | 2019–2023 | ZIP ZCTA, NC + SC |
| BLS LAUS | Unemployment rate | 2024 | County level, NC + SC |
| NC DPS / NCSBI | Violent crime, property crime per 1K residents | 2023 | County level, NC |
| SC SLED | Violent crime, property crime per 1K residents | 2023 | County level, SC |
| RenoVision Model | Cap rate estimate (gross yield − vacancy − opex) | Computed | ZIP level, NC + SC |
Percentile Ranks
Raw scores are also expressed as percentile ranks — computed by comparing each market's score against the full distribution of all 1,100+ scored NC and SC markets.
Three ranks are shown per market: overall (all 1,100+ markets), state-level (NC or SC only), and county-level. This lets investors compare a market to both its local peers and the full two-state universe.
Buyer-Type Investment Modes
In addition to the balanced RenoScore™, each market is scored three more times using buyer-type weight profiles tuned for specific strategies. These scores appear in the zip panel in the live demo.
| Mode | Strategy | Upweighted dimensions | Downweighted dimensions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flip | Buy · renovate · sell within 6–18 months | Appreciation (30 pts), Growth Trajectory (15 pts) | Cash Flow (5 pts), Rental Demand (5 pts) |
| Rental / Hold | Buy · rent · hold for long-term yield | Cash Flow (25 pts), Rental Demand (25 pts) | Appreciation (10 pts), Growth Trajectory (5 pts) |
| BRRRR | Buy · rehab · rent · refinance · repeat | Appreciation (20 pts), Cash Flow (20 pts), Rental Demand (20 pts) | Growth Trajectory (5 pts) |
Each buyer-type score uses the same 0–100 scale and A–F grade bands as the balanced RenoScore™. The "★ Best Fit" badge in the demo marks the mode with the highest score for that market.
Grade Bands
| Grade | Score Range | Interpretation |
|---|---|---|
| A | 80–100 | Top-tier market — strong across most dimensions |
| B | 65–79.9 | Above-average — solid fundamentals with some trade-offs |
| C | 50–64.9 | Average — acceptable for cash flow, limited appreciation |
| D | 35–49.9 | Below average — elevated risk, specific use cases only |
| F | 0–34.9 | High-risk — significant fundamental weakness |
Known Limitations
- Crime data lags 2–3 years. NC and SC publish annual DPS crime reports with an 18–24 month delay. Rapidly changing markets may have outdated crime scores.
- Census ACS margins of error. ACS 5-year estimates for rural ZCTAs (population < 2,500) carry wide confidence intervals. Treat income and population figures as estimates, not census counts.
- Thin Zillow markets. ZIPs with fewer than 5 annual sales may have missing or interpolated ZHVI/ZORI values. These markets are flagged as "limited comps."
- BLS unemployment is county-level, not ZIP-level. All ZIPs within a county share the same unemployment rate — intra-county variation is not captured.
- Scores reflect market trends, not individual property values. A high-scoring ZIP does not guarantee any specific property will appreciate or cash-flow positively. Property-level underwriting is required before any investment decision.
- Cap rate is modeled, not observed. The cap rate estimate applies county-level vacancy and operating expense assumptions. Actual cap rates depend on the specific property and financing structure.
Update Schedule
Questions or Corrections
If you spot a data error or have a methodology question, email wma315@gmail.com. We take data accuracy seriously and will investigate and correct verified errors within 10 business days.