Real Estate Investing in Derwood, Maryland (20855)

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

Montgomery County • Population: 16,557 • Data updated: September 2026

☆ Watch this market Free account

Should you buy in 20855 (Derwood, 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
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
CLEAN

No major risk flags on the data we track.

What’s happening in Derwood, MD (20855)?

Click any question — our AI will research it live from the web and show you sources.

✨ Live AI + Web Search
Want to ask your own questions? Upgrade to Pro for unlimited custom queries.
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 $687,291
Avg Monthly Rent $2,614
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $146,036
% Renters 19.7%

Market Analysis: 20855 Derwood

ZIP 20855 inside Montgomery County looks affordable on the surface — median value of $687K — but the discount exists for reasons that a careful buyer should understand before committing.

Distressed does not mean uninvestable. It means the margin for error is thinner. ZIP 20855 rewards the prepared, punishes the overconfident, and leaves the math unchanged either way.

Regionally, 20855 sits on the difficult end of the MD spectrum. The worth a close look for read — for disciplined operators — is that pricing reflects the difficulty.

Employment concentration in 20855 leans toward sectors with higher volatility. The demographic consequence is income fluctuation that investors need to factor into their pro forma.

Strategically, 20855 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 Derwood:

C Below Average
Buy Confidence Score: 58/100
Affordability
10/25
Appreciation
14/25
Stability
11/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 4.7× the median income
Value Trend
Stable (+0.3%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $2,614/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 20855

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
3BR
4.6% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
5BR
+4.9% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
5BR
$165,220/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
3BR $537,349 $3,410 4.6% +4.6% $179,116
4BR $719,015 $4,010 4.0% +4.6% $179,754
5BR $826,102 +4.9% $165,220

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$721K$658K$596K$533K$470K$407KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

Rent History (with trend line)

$2,654$2,540$2,425$2,311$2,197$2,082Feb 2024May 2025Jul 2026

📊 How Does 20855 Compare?

Metric 20855 Derwood Maryland
Home Value $687,291 $687,291 $424,997
5-Year CAGR 2.2% 2.2% 4.9%
Avg Rent $2,614 $2,614 -
Cap Rate 3.0% 3.0% -
💡 Why Invest in 20855? Click to expand

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

📊 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.
Open the Market Finder →
Free to search · investor plans from $19/mo

Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 20855 (Derwood, MD). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

Do you own or manage rentals in ZIP 20855 (Derwood, MD)?

~25 seconds · no account needed · your report is anonymous

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

HOA
Unclaimed — is this your business? Claim it free

Iko Community Management provides HOA and community association management services in Columbia, MD and Suburban Maryland. summary from their website

HOA
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
Good
Cap Rate
3.0%
Low
5yr Growth
+2.2%
Slow

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $687,291
Monthly Rent $2,614
Price-to-Rent 21.9:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 4.6%
Cap Rate 3.0%
5-Year IRR 5.2%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +0.3% ▲
3-Year CAGR +1.9% ▲
5-Year CAGR +2.2% ▲
10-Year CAGR +3.5% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year +10.0% ▲
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 3.0%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (3.0%). 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
1.8%
Low risk
Landlord Climate
4.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+2.2%
Stable
Eviction process: Moderate Rent control: Moderate

Demographics in 20855

Population: 16,557

💰 Median Household Income
$146,036
This area
$146,036
State
$107,932
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
19.7%
This area
19.7%
State
23.8%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
2.4%
This area
2.4%
State
-20.0%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
66.5%
This area
66.5%
State
10.6%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
41.9 years
This area
41.9 years
State
1.9 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
1.8%
This area
1.8%
State
11.4%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 55.4%
Asian 16.8%
Other/Mixed 14.9%
Black/African American 12.9%
Hispanic/Latino 8.1%
👶 Under 18
21.0%
This area
21.0%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
18.4%
This area
18.4%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
3.8%
This area
3.8%
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 20855

A+ Avg School Grade
5 Schools
12.9:1 Avg Class Size
$20,473 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A+ Excellent

Sequoyah Elementary

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
452 Students
👨‍🏫
11.5:1 Class Size
💰
$20,473 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Candlewood Elementary

📚 K – 05 Elementary
👥
368 Students
👨‍🏫
12.2:1 Class Size
💰
$20,473 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Mill Creek Towne Elementary

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
497 Students
👨‍🏫
13.0:1 Class Size
💰
$20,473 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Redland Middle

📚 06 – 08 Middle
👥
583 Students
👨‍🏫
12.6:1 Class Size
💰
$20,473 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Col. Zadok Magruder High

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
1,622 Students
👨‍🏫
15.3:1 Class Size
💰
$20,473 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 3,271 Off-Campus Students
C+
Montgomery College
17,780 students · 3.0 mi
C
Omega Studios' School of Applied Recording Arts & Sciences
74 students · 5.1 mi
C
Hair Expressions Academy
79 students · 5.3 mi
C
SANS Technology Institute
1,771 students · 6.7 mi
C+
Yeshiva College of the Nations Capital
57 students · 8.5 mi
D
Montgomery Beauty School
68 students · 11.8 mi
C+
Washington Adventist University
695 students · 12.6 mi
D
Maryland University of Integrative Health
646 students · 13.2 mi

Investor Insight: With 3,271 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are home prices like in Derwood, MD?

Expect median prices around $687K in Derwood, MD. The market has run at a 0.0% 5-year CAGR, so entry costs have been steady.

Is house hacking profitable in Derwood, MD?

The house hack math a challenging in Derwood, MD. Owner-occupant buyers benefit from the $2,614/mo rents and $687K home values.

What kind of tenants rent in Derwood, MD?

Expect a solid tenant pool in Derwood, MD. The rental market absorbs $2,614/mo rents without meaningful friction.

How do landlord-tenant laws work in Derwood, MD?

Rental owners in Derwood, MD deal with a landlord-friendly legal framework. Most standard eviction processes run on reasonable timelines.

What real estate strategy is ideal for Derwood, MD?

Investors usually favor careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management in Derwood, MD. With home values at $687K and rents near $2,614/mo, other strategies can work but produce even-keeled rather than outsized returns.

You know 20855 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 20855 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.

Compare Plans

How 20855 ranks in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
🤖

AI Market Advisor

Ask questions about investing in 20855 (Derwood)

Loading...

Community Ratings

What people who’ve spent time here actually say. Not paid reviews.

Be the first to rate 20855 (Derwood, MD).

It takes 30 seconds. No signup. Your rating helps everyone who comes here after you.