Real Estate Investing in Fort Washington, Maryland (20744)

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

Prince Georges County • Population: 56,236 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 20744 (Fort Washington, MD)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
MIXED
Grade C (61/100)

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

📈 For Investors
WEAK
2.0 / 5 (33/100)

Structural challenges here. The numbers may look cheap but operational risk is high. Only for experienced, hands-on investors.

⚠️ Risks to Know
CLEAN

No major risk flags on the data we track.

What’s happening in Fort Washington, MD (20744)?

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2.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

1.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

3.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $452,192
Avg Monthly Rent $1,694
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $121,068
% Renters 18.4%

Market Analysis: 20744 Fort Washington

ZIP 20744 inside Prince Georges County looks affordable on the surface — median value of $452K — but the discount exists for reasons that a careful buyer should understand before committing.

For an experienced owner, 20744 can be a a solid fit for hunting ground — but the discount at $452K reflects genuine risk that outside investors often underestimate.

From an investor standpoint, 20744 offers a low basis, the region around Fort Washington has moved on in ways that the ZIP itself has not fully absorbed. The result is a discount with genuine reasons.

On balance, 56,236 residents fill the ZIP, renter turnover runs higher than neighboring postal codes and delinquency risk is a real line item rather than a theoretical one.

Experienced landlords with local relationships tend to find 20744 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 Fort Washington:

C+ Average
Buy Confidence Score: 66/100
Affordability
15/25
Appreciation
14/25
Stability
14/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 3.7× the median income
Value Trend
Stable (+1.3%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,694/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.
🏠

Property Strategy for 20744

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
2BR
5.4% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
2BR
+6.4% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
5BR
$109,242/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $267,930 $2,010 5.4% +6.4% $133,965
3BR $394,374 $2,540 4.6% +5.3% $131,458
4BR $485,513 $2,980 4.4% +4.6% $121,378
5BR $546,210 +5.0% $109,242

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$476K$418K$361K$303K$245K$187KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

Rent History (with trend line)

$1,994$1,905$1,817$1,728$1,639$1,551Jan 2022May 2024Jul 2026

📊 How Does 20744 Compare?

Metric 20744 Fort Washington Maryland
Home Value $452,192 $452,192 $424,997
5-Year CAGR 1.8% 1.8% 4.9%
Avg Rent $1,694 $1,694 -
Cap Rate 2.9% 2.9% -
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 20744 (Fort Washington, MD). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Property managers serving Prince Georges County

Manage rentals here? List your business →

American Community Management provides community association management and HOA services across Maryland, Virginia, and D.C. summary from their website

HOA
Unclaimed — is this your business? Claim it free

Mainstay Property Management is a property management company in Maryland, specializing in renting houses and multi-family properties. summary from their website

Single-familySmall multifamily
Unclaimed — is this your business? Claim it free

Melan Property Management delivers proactive property management solutions for multifamily and commercial real estate across Maryland, Washington D.C., and Miami. summary from their website

Small multifamilyCommercial
Unclaimed — is this your business? Claim it free

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

Investability
Fair
Cap Rate
2.9%
Low
5yr Growth
+1.8%
Slow

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $452,192
Monthly Rent $1,694
Price-to-Rent 22.2:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 4.5%
Cap Rate 2.9%
5-Year IRR 4.7%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +1.3% ▲
3-Year CAGR +1.0% ▲
5-Year CAGR +1.8% ▲
10-Year CAGR +4.4% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year -10.9% ▼
3-Year CAGR -2.4% ▼
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 2.9%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (2.9%). 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
6.7%
Low risk
Landlord Climate
4.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+1.8%
Flat
Eviction process: Moderate Rent control: Moderate

Demographics in 20744

Population: 56,236

💰 Median Household Income
$121,068
This area
$121,068
State
$107,932
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
18.4%
This area
18.4%
State
23.8%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
4.8%
This area
4.8%
State
-20.0%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
36.3%
This area
36.3%
State
10.6%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
44.2 years
This area
44.2 years
State
1.9 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
6.7%
This area
6.7%
State
11.4%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
Black/African American 67.1%
Other/Mixed 18.6%
Hispanic/Latino 14.1%
White 9.6%
Asian 4.7%
👶 Under 18
19.9%
This area
19.9%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
20.1%
This area
20.1%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
2.9%
This area
2.9%
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 20744

A+ Avg School Grade
12 Schools
14.1:1 Avg Class Size
$21,751 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A+ Excellent

J. Frank Dent Elementary

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
216 Students
👨‍🏫
10.8:1 Class Size
💰
$21,751 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Apple Grove Elementary

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
323 Students
👨‍🏫
14.7:1 Class Size
💰
$21,751 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Avalon Elementary

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
302 Students
👨‍🏫
13.1:1 Class Size
💰
$21,751 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Rose Valley Elementary

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
366 Students
👨‍🏫
14.9:1 Class Size
💰
$21,751 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Tayac Elementary

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
345 Students
👨‍🏫
13.1:1 Class Size
💰
$21,751 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Colin L Powell Academy

📚 Pre-K – 08 School
👥
898 Students
👨‍🏫
13.0:1 Class Size
💰
$21,751 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Excel Academy Public Charter

📚 K – 08 School Charter
👥
437 Students
👨‍🏫
13.2:1 Class Size
💰
$21,751 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Fort Foote Elementary

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
281 Students
👨‍🏫
14.4:1 Class Size
💰
$21,751 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Indian Queen Elementary

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
246 Students
👨‍🏫
12.6:1 Class Size
💰
$21,751 Per Student
A Very Good

Fort Washington Forest Elem

📚 Pre-K – 06 School
👥
391 Students
👨‍🏫
15.6:1 Class Size
💰
$21,751 Per Student
A Very Good

Friendly High

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
943 Students
👨‍🏫
16.5:1 Class Size
💰
$21,751 Per Student
A Very Good

Oxon Hill Middle

📚 06 – 08 Middle
👥
867 Students
👨‍🏫
16.7:1 Class Size
💰
$21,751 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
F
Strayer University-Maryland
1,445 students · 6.2 mi
D
Hair Academy II
230 students · 6.2 mi
C
DeVry University-Virginia
32 students · 8.2 mi
C
CET-Alexandria
23 students · 9.2 mi
C
The Salon Professional Academy-Washington DC
117 students · 10.4 mi
C
Saint Michael College of Allied Health
123 students · 10.4 mi
C+
University of the Potomac-Washington DC Campus
593 students · 10.5 mi
C
The Chicago School at Washington DC
615 students · 10.6 mi

Frequently Asked Questions

Do landlords face vacancy issues in Fort Washington, MD?

Expect elevated vacancy in Fort Washington, MD. Rents at $1,694/mo are absorbed by the tenant base without meaningful lag.

What do landlords charge for rent in Fort Washington, MD?

Expect rents around $1,694/mo per month in Fort Washington, MD. With home values at $452K, the yield math works out to reasonable levels for rental investors.

Are homes affordable in Fort Washington, MD?

Fort Washington, MD median home values land near $452K. That is reasonable territory for investors looking at $1,694/mo-per-month rentals.

What investment strategy works best in Fort Washington, MD?

In Fort Washington, MD the healthy play is typically careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management. The combination of $452K prices and $1,694/mo rents suits that approach.

How strong is Fort Washington, MD for real estate investors?

Fort Washington, MD rates 2.0/5 for investability. With median values at $452K and rents near $1,694/mo, the market offers reasonable fundamentals for rental investors.

You know 20744 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 20744 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 20744 ranks in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV

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Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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