Real Estate Investing in Washington, District of Columbia (20004)

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

District of Columbia • Population: 1,756 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 20004 (Washington, DC)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
CAUTION
Grade D (54/100)

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
4 flags
  • High vacancy: 17.3% of homes vacant — above national norms.
  • Declining values: -1.9% 5-year CAGR — values have moved lower.
  • 1-year downturn: Values declined 3.0% in the last year.
  • Tenant-protective state: Landlord rating 1.0/5 — slower evictions, more regulations.

What’s happening in Washington, DC (20004)?

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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 $427,833
Avg Monthly Rent $2,764
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $152,955
% Renters 58.6%

Market Analysis: 20004 Washington

This part of District of Columbia is not an easy win. The 20004 ZIP reports softness in key indicators, and the playbook that works in cleaner markets often stalls here.

Distressed markets are won on execution, not on spreadsheets. ZIP 20004 posts the profile where tenant screening, deferred maintenance, and local relationships determine the outcome.

From a cash-flow lens, 20004 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.

The 20004 ZIP's population of 1,756 has faced economic pressure over the last decade. That pressure shows up in rent delinquency patterns that clocks in at the need for careful underwriting.

Experienced landlords with local relationships tend to find 20004 workable. Turnkey investors from out of state usually find the numbers do not hold up in practice.

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:

C Below Average
Buy Confidence Score: 55/100
Affordability
20/25
Appreciation
5/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Affordable
Homes cost 2.8× the median income
Value Trend
Declining (-3.0%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $2,764/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 20004

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
1BR
4.8% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
2BR
-0.7% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
2BR
$339,094/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
1BR $431,264 $2,890 4.8% -1.0% $431,264
2BR $678,188 $3,220 3.4% -0.7% $339,094

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$493K$476K$460K$443K$426K$409KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

Rent History (with trend line)

$2,811$2,702$2,592$2,482$2,372$2,262Apr 2023Dec 2024Jul 2026

📊 How Does 20004 Compare?

Metric 20004 Washington District of Columbia
Home Value $427,833 $252,600 $579,156
5-Year CAGR N/A N/A N/A
Avg Rent $2,764 $2,416 -
Cap Rate 5.0% 3.5% -
💡 Why Invest in 20004? Click to expand

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

59% of households rent in this area, creating consistent tenant demand for landlords.

📊 See where this ZIP ranks in our Best-of lists →
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Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 20004 (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
5.0%
Fair
5yr Growth
-1.9%
Declining

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $427,833
Monthly Rent $2,764
Price-to-Rent 12.9:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 7.8%
Cap Rate 5.0%
5-Year IRR 3.2%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year -3.0% ▼
3-Year CAGR -1.7% ▼
5-Year CAGR -1.9% ▼
10-Year CAGR -1.0% ▼

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year +9.0% ▲
3-Year CAGR +4.3% ▲
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 5.0%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (5.0%). 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
17.3%
Elevated risk
Landlord Climate
1.0/5
Protective
Value Trend (5yr)
-1.9%
Flat
Eviction process: Very Slow Rent control: Unfavorable

Demographics in 20004

Population: 1,756

💰 Median Household Income
$152,955
This area
$152,955
State
$111,161
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
58.6%
This area
58.6%
State
61.0%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
3.9%
This area
3.9%
State
-471.7%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
92.9%
This area
92.9%
State
-439.1%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
42.8 years
This area
42.8 years
State
-455.9 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
17.3%
This area
17.3%
State
18.0%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 85.7%
Asian 6.5%
Other/Mixed 5.0%
Hispanic/Latino 2.9%
Black/African American 2.7%
👶 Under 18
2.6%
This area
2.6%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
14.8%
This area
14.8%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
0.0%
This area
0.0%
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 20004

A+ Avg School Grade
1 Schools
13.4:1 Avg Class Size
$20,885 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A+ Excellent

BASIS DC PCS

📚 05 – 12 High School Charter
👥
690 Students
👨‍🏫
13.4:1 Class Size
💰
$20,885 Per Student

Nearby Schools (2 more)

Schools in adjacent ZIP codes that may serve this area

A+ Excellent

Thomson ES

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
📍 1200 L St. NW, Washington
👥
253 Students
👨‍🏫
8.6:1 Class Size
💰
$36,134 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Goodwill Excel Center PCS

📚 09 – 12 High School Charter
📍 1776 G STREET NW, Washington
👥
441 Students
👨‍🏫
18.4:1 Class Size
💰
$22,150 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
C+
University of the Potomac-Washington DC Campus
593 students · 0.5 mi
C
The Chicago School at Washington DC
615 students · 0.6 mi
D
Career Technical Institute
383 students · 0.7 mi
C
NewU University
34 students · 0.7 mi
D
Strayer University-Global Region
12,782 students · 0.8 mi
F
Strayer University-District of Columbia
353 students · 0.8 mi
D
Institute of World Politics
119 students · 1.2 mi
B
George Washington University
25,568 students · 1.2 mi

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average monthly rent in Washington, DC?

Washington, DC rentals go for roughly $2,764/mo a month. That puts gross yield in solid territory relative to $428K acquisition costs.

What approach is best for Washington, DC real estate?

Investors usually favor careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management in Washington, DC. With home values at $428K and rents near $2,764/mo, other strategies can work but produce consistent rather than outsized returns.

Is vacancy a concern in Washington, DC?

Washington, DC carries elevated vacancy risk. Expect steady absorption at market rents of $2,764/mo.

How landlord-friendly is Washington, DC?

Rental owners in Washington, DC deal with a tenant-protective legal framework. Most standard eviction processes run on reasonable timelines.

Should investors consider Washington, DC?

Washington, DC rates 3.0/5 for investability. With median values at $428K and rents near $2,764/mo, the market offers reasonable fundamentals for rental investors.

You know 20004 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

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How 20004 ranks in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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