Real Estate Investing in Bethesda, Maryland (20817)
Everything the listing leaves out — vacancy, rent trend, cap rate, landlord climate. All free.
Should you buy in 20817 (Bethesda, MD)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.
Mixed — home prices are stretched relative to local incomes. Run the math on your specific situation.
A middle-of-the-road market. Workable, but the best opportunities may be nearby ZIPs rather than this one.
- High price-to-rent: Price-to-rent ratio 29.4 — hard to cash-flow at these prices.
What’s happening in Bethesda, MD (20817)?
Click any question — our AI will research it live from the web and show you sources.
Market Analysis: 20817 Bethesda
Not every below-median market is a bargain. Bethesda's 20817 ZIP records signals that favor experienced operators who can absorb the risk $1.3M pricing implies.
If the plan assumes clean turnover, on-time rent, and low maintenance on a $1.3M asset, 20817 is the wrong submarket. If the plan prices in friction, the yield can still work.
In the broader MD picture, 20817 is a reminder that not every low-priced ZIP is a value-add opportunity — some are simply distressed, and the difference matters.
The demographic picture in 20817 includes headwinds that any investor should price in. Income distribution skews lower than Bethesda averages, and tenant stability requires active management.
tilts toward the ZIP is not uninvestable, but it is unforgiving. Section 8 landlords, local operators, and specialized value-add funds are the investor types that tend to succeed.
Here's what matters if you're considering buying a home in Bethesda:
Property Strategy for 20817
Which property type performs best in this market?
📊 Compare All Property Types →
| Type | Median Value | Est. Rent | Cap Rate | 5yr CAGR | $/Bedroom |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1BR | $243,850 | $3,020 | 8.9% | +3.4% | $243,850 |
| 2BR | $324,366 | $3,370 | 7.5% | +3.5% | $162,183 |
| 3BR | $992,295 | $4,250 | 3.1% | +4.9% | $330,765 |
| 4BR | $1,209,503 | $5,000 | 3.0% | +5.5% | $302,376 |
| 5BR | $1,844,921 | — | — | +6.4% | $368,984 |
Market Trends
Home Value History (with trend line)
Rent History (with trend line)
📊 How Does 20817 Compare?
| Metric | 20817 | Bethesda | Maryland |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home Value | $1,307,719 | $560,037 | $424,997 |
| 5-Year CAGR | 3.7% | 2.8% | 4.9% |
| Avg Rent | $3,712 | $3,629 | - |
| Cap Rate | 2.2% | 2.6% | - |
Similar ZIPs Within 25 Miles
Compare other nearby markets to see if a neighbor offers a better fit.
Landlord Ground Truth
Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 20817 (Bethesda, MD). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.
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Property managers serving Montgomery 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
Iko Community Management provides HOA and community association management services in Columbia, MD and Suburban Maryland. summary from their website
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
Listings are shown for convenience — Repit doesn’t endorse or vet these companies. Ratings shown come only from email-verified visitors.
📊 Market Snapshot
| Home Value | $1,307,719 |
| Monthly Rent | $3,712 |
| Price-to-Rent | 29.4:1 |
| 1% Rule | ✗ Fails |
💰 Return Metrics
| Gross Yield | 3.4% |
| Cap Rate | 2.2% |
| 5-Year IRR | 5.9% |
📈 Home Appreciation
| 1-Year | +3.3% ▲ |
| 3-Year CAGR | +3.3% ▲ |
| 5-Year CAGR | +3.7% ▲ |
| 10-Year CAGR | +3.7% ▲ |
🏠 Rent Trends
| 1-Year | +19.2% ▲ |
| 3-Year CAGR | +8.9% ▲ |
| 5-Year CAGR | +7.5% ▲ |
The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (2.2%). 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.
Demographics in 20817
Population: 37,738
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 20817
Schools in This ZIP Code
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
Investor Insight: With 1,958 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.
Frequently Asked Questions
What real estate strategy is ideal for Bethesda, MD?
In Bethesda, MD the sturdy play is typically careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management. The combination of $1.3M prices and $3,712/mo rents suits that approach.
What is the renter demographic in Bethesda, MD?
Bethesda, MD draws a measured base of working renters. Demand at the $3,712/mo rent level is reasonable for standard single-family and small multi rentals.
Where do rents currently stand in Bethesda, MD?
Average rent in Bethesda, MD is approximately $3,712/mo per month. Against $1.3M home values that yields a reasonable rent-to-price ratio.
Should investors consider Bethesda, MD?
Bethesda, MD scores 3.0/5 for investability. Home values sit at $1.3M and rents near $3,712/mo, which keeps the rent-to-price ratio in reasonable territory for buy-and-hold investors.
Is Bethesda, MD landlord-friendly?
For rental operators, Bethesda, MD rates as landlord-friendly. The regulatory environment standard buy-and-hold operations.
You know 20817 now. You don’t know where it ranks.
This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 20817 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.
How 20817 ranks in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
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