Real Estate Investing in Sunderland, Maryland (20689)

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

Calvert County • Population: 2,046 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 20689 (Sunderland, MD)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
MIXED
Grade C (65/100)

Mixed signals — some positives, some negatives. Worth considering but not a slam-dunk.

📈 For Investors
MIXED
3.0 / 5 (47/100)

A middle-of-the-road market. Workable, but the best opportunities may be nearby ZIPs rather than this one.

⚠️ Risks to Know
1 flag
  • High price-to-rent: Price-to-rent ratio 30.6 — hard to cash-flow at these prices.

• Modeled rent — no observed market rent for this ZIP; the figure is estimated from HUD fair-market rent.

What’s happening in Sunderland, MD (20689)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

2.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

3.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $592,402
Avg Monthly Rent $1,611
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $174,750
% Renters 10.8%

Market Analysis: 20689 Sunderland

ZIP 20689 in Sunderland, MD carries a significant set of headwinds. Home values near $592K and rents of $1,611/mo sit inside a market where underwriting has to be tight.

Distressed markets are won on execution, not on spreadsheets. ZIP 20689 comes in at the profile where tenant screening, deferred maintenance, and local relationships determine the outcome.

Statewide comparisons place 20689 among MD's softer markets. That context does not make the ZIP uninvestable, but it does raise the bar for due diligence.

Who lives in 20689 is part of why the ZIP is priced as it is. The demographic profile requires hands-on management, tight screening, and local knowledge.

Strategically, 20689 can be a high-return sleeve of a diversified portfolio — but it should not be the whole portfolio, and it should not be someone's first deal.

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 Sunderland:

C+ Average
Buy Confidence Score: 64/100
Affordability
20/25
Appreciation
14/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 3.4× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+4.1%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,611/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
BALANCED
Even conditions for buyers and sellers
Bottom Line: Mixed signals in this market. Research specific properties carefully and be prepared to negotiate.

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$612K$555K$498K$440K$383K$326KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

📊 How Does 20689 Compare?

Metric 20689 Sunderland Maryland
Home Value $592,402 $592,402 $424,997
5-Year CAGR 2.9% 2.9% 4.9%
Avg Rent $1,611 $1,611 -
Cap Rate 2.1% 2.1% -
💡 Why Invest in 20689? Click to expand

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

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Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 20689 (Sunderland, MD). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
2.1%
Low
5yr Growth
+2.9%
Slow

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $592,402
Monthly Rent $1,611
Price-to-Rent 30.6:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 3.3%
Cap Rate 2.1%
5-Year IRR 5.0%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +4.1% ▲
3-Year CAGR +2.8% ▲
5-Year CAGR +2.9% ▲
10-Year CAGR +4.2% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 2.1%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (2.1%). 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
3.5%
Low risk
Landlord Climate
4.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+2.9%
Stable
Eviction process: Moderate Rent control: Moderate

Demographics in 20689

Population: 2,046

💰 Median Household Income
$174,750
This area
$174,750
State
$107,932
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
10.8%
This area
10.8%
State
23.8%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
0.0%
This area
0.0%
State
-20.0%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
32.8%
This area
32.8%
State
10.6%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
47.6 years
This area
47.6 years
State
1.9 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
3.5%
This area
3.5%
State
11.4%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 78.1%
Black/African American 20.3%
Other/Mixed 1.6%
Hispanic/Latino 1.3%
👶 Under 18
20.3%
This area
20.3%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
13.4%
This area
13.4%
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 20689

A Avg School Grade
1 Schools
15.8:1 Avg Class Size
$22,994 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A Very Good

Sunderland Elementary

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
639 Students
👨‍🏫
15.8:1 Class Size
💰
$22,994 Per Student

Nearby Schools (5 more)

Schools in adjacent ZIP codes that may serve this area

A+ Excellent

Windy Hill Elementary

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
📍 9550 Boyds Turn Rd, Owings
👥
616 Students
👨‍🏫
14.8:1 Class Size
💰
$22,994 Per Student
A Very Good

Beach Elementary

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
📍 7900 Old Bayside Rd, Chesapeake Beach
👥
522 Students
👨‍🏫
16.5:1 Class Size
💰
$22,994 Per Student
A Very Good

Mount Harmony Elementary

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
📍 900 W Mount Harmony Rd, Owings
👥
644 Students
👨‍🏫
16.3:1 Class Size
💰
$22,994 Per Student
A Very Good

Windy Hill Middle

📚 06 – 08 Middle
📍 9560 Boyd's Turn Rd, Owings
👥
721 Students
👨‍🏫
16.6:1 Class Size
💰
$22,994 Per Student
A Very Good

Northern Middle

📚 06 – 08 Middle
📍 2954 Chaneyville Rd, Owings
👥
682 Students
👨‍🏫
18.4:1 Class Size
💰
$22,994 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Sunderland, MD landlord-friendly?

MD law landlord-friendly for landlords, and Sunderland inherits those rules. Investors should still review local ordinances for rental licensing.

What type of investing works in Sunderland, MD?

Investors usually favor careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management in Sunderland, MD. With home values at $592K and rents near $1,611/mo, other strategies can work but produce reliable rather than outsized returns.

Where do home prices stand in Sunderland, MD?

Sunderland, MD median home values land near $592K. That is reasonable territory for investors looking at $1,611/mo-per-month rentals.

Is Sunderland in MD worth investing in?

Our data puts Sunderland, MD at 3.0/5 for investability. Home prices of $592K and rents around $1,611/mo create a solid backdrop for investor activity.

Does a duplex house hack pencil in Sunderland, MD?

For house hackers, Sunderland, MD is a challenging. The $1,611/mo rent on a unit helps defray the mortgage on a $592K property.

You know 20689 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

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How 20689 ranks in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV

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