Real Estate Investing in Washington, District of Columbia (20005)

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

District of Columbia • Population: 12,960 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 20005 (Washington, DC)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
CAUTION
Grade D (44/100)

Proceed carefully. Weak appreciation or affordability makes this a harder case for most buyers.

📈 For Investors
MIXED
3.0 / 5 (52/100)

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
  • Declining values: -1.2% 5-year CAGR — values have moved lower.
  • Elevated vacancy: 10.3% vacancy may signal weakening demand.
  • Tenant-protective state: Landlord rating 1.0/5 — slower evictions, more regulations.

What’s happening in Washington, DC (20005)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

1.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

4.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $500,508
Avg Monthly Rent $2,766
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $109,147
% Renters 71.5%

Market Analysis: 20005 Washington

ZIP 20005 in Washington, DC carries a significant set of headwinds. Home values near $501K and rents of $2,766/mo sit inside a market where underwriting has to be tight.

The investment case in 20005 is solid only for operators who understand what they are buying. A $501K median suggests accessibility, but management intensity, vacancy drift, and capex surprises are real.

In practical terms, 20005 offers a low basis, the region around Washington has moved on in ways that the ZIP itself has not fully absorbed. The result is a discount with genuine reasons.

Who lives in 20005 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. notable returns are possible in 20005, 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 Washington:

D Needs Caution
Buy Confidence Score: 49/100
Affordability
10/25
Appreciation
5/25
Stability
11/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 4.6× the median income
Value Trend
Declining (-1.0%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $2,766/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
BALANCED
Even conditions for buyers and sellers
Bottom Line: This market may be challenging for buyers. Consider your timing and budget carefully.
🏠

Property Strategy for 20005

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
1BR
4.3% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
3BR
+0.0% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
3BR
$344,336/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
1BR $432,895 $2,610 4.3% -1.0% $432,895
2BR $694,415 $2,910 3.0% -0.6% $347,207
3BR $1,033,009 $3,670 2.6% +0.0% $344,336

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$557K$524K$491K$457K$424K$390KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

Rent History (with trend line)

$2,829$2,646$2,463$2,280$2,097$1,914Dec 2016Oct 2021Jul 2026

📊 How Does 20005 Compare?

Metric 20005 Washington District of Columbia
Home Value $500,508 $252,600 $579,156
5-Year CAGR N/A N/A N/A
Avg Rent $2,766 $2,416 -
Cap Rate 4.3% 3.5% -
💡 Why Invest in 20005? Click to expand

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

72% of households rent in this area, creating consistent tenant demand for landlords.

📊 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 20005 (Washington, DC). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Property managers serving District of Columbia County

Manage rentals here? List your business →

Columbia Property Management provides property management services in Washington, DC, focusing on care, compassion, reliability, consistency, and high-quality service. summary from their website

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EASE Property Services provides property services. summary from their website

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Real Property Management DC Metro offers property management services in Washington DC. summary from their website

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Listings are shown for convenience — Repit doesn’t endorse or vet these companies. Ratings shown come only from email-verified visitors.

Investability
Good
Cap Rate
4.3%
Fair
5yr Growth
-1.2%
Declining

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $500,508
Monthly Rent $2,766
Price-to-Rent 15.1:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 6.6%
Cap Rate 4.3%
5-Year IRR 3.2%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year -1.0% ▼
3-Year CAGR -1.5% ▼
5-Year CAGR -1.2% ▼
10-Year CAGR -0.2% ▼

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year +9.0% ▲
3-Year CAGR +4.3% ▲
5-Year CAGR +4.5% ▲
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 4.3%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (4.3%). 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.

Run an IRR Analysis →

⚠️ Risk Signals

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

Vacancy
10.3%
Moderate risk
Landlord Climate
1.0/5
Protective
Value Trend (5yr)
-1.2%
Flat
Eviction process: Very Slow Rent control: Unfavorable

Demographics in 20005

Population: 12,960

💰 Median Household Income
$109,147
This area
$109,147
State
$111,161
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
71.5%
This area
71.5%
State
61.0%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
2.5%
This area
2.5%
State
-471.7%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
79.7%
This area
79.7%
State
-439.1%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
35.0 years
This area
35.0 years
State
-455.9 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
10.3%
This area
10.3%
State
18.0%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 60.7%
Black/African American 16.1%
Other/Mixed 14.7%
Asian 8.5%
Hispanic/Latino 8.0%
👶 Under 18
6.4%
This area
6.4%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
10.1%
This area
10.1%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
8.2%
This area
8.2%
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 20005

A+ Avg School Grade
1 Schools
8.6:1 Avg Class Size
$36,134 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A+ Excellent

Thomson ES

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
253 Students
👨‍🏫
8.6:1 Class Size
💰
$36,134 Per Student

Nearby Schools (5 more)

Schools in adjacent ZIP codes that may serve this area

A+ Excellent

Cardozo Education Campus

📚 06 – 12 High School
📍 1200 Clifton St. NW, Washington
👥
706 Students
👨‍🏫
9.6:1 Class Size
💰
$36,134 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Garrison ES

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
📍 1200 S St. NW, Washington
👥
389 Students
👨‍🏫
9.8:1 Class Size
💰
$36,134 Per Student
A+ Excellent

H.D. Cooke ES

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
📍 2525 17th St. NW, Washington
👥
389 Students
👨‍🏫
8.6:1 Class Size
💰
$36,134 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Marie Reed ES

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
📍 2201 18th St. NW, Washington
👥
452 Students
👨‍🏫
10.9:1 Class Size
💰
$36,134 Per Student
A+ Excellent

School Without Walls at Francis-Stevens

📚 Pre-K – 08 School
📍 800 Euclid St. NW, Washington
👥
529 Students
👨‍🏫
10.2:1 Class Size
💰
$36,134 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
D
Career Technical Institute
383 students · 0.1 mi
C
NewU University
34 students · 0.1 mi
D
Strayer University-Global Region
12,782 students · 0.1 mi
F
Strayer University-District of Columbia
353 students · 0.1 mi
C
The Chicago School at Washington DC
615 students · 0.2 mi
C+
University of the Potomac-Washington DC Campus
593 students · 0.3 mi
D
Institute of World Politics
119 students · 0.5 mi
B
George Washington University
25,568 students · 1.0 mi

Frequently Asked Questions

What price range are homes in Washington, DC?

Expect median prices around $501K in Washington, DC. The market has run at a 0.0% 5-year CAGR, so entry costs have been predictable.

Which investment style suits Washington, DC?

Washington, DC investors pursuing careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management. The underlying economics ($501K prices, $2,766/mo rents) make it a reasonable choice.

Is the tenant base reliable in Washington, DC?

Working renters make up the core of the Washington, DC tenant base. The pool is reasonable for investors targeting long-term holds.

How viable is house hacking in Washington, DC?

House hacking in Washington, DC is reasonable to execute. Prices around $501K and rents of $2,766/mo solid owner-occupant economics.

Is vacancy a concern in Washington, DC?

Vacancy in Washington, DC is elevated, which keeps landlord downtime on reasonable timelines. Most properties lease within the standard window at $2,766/mo.

You know 20005 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 20005 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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How 20005 ranks in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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