Real Estate Investing in Damascus, Maryland (20872)
Everything the listing leaves out — vacancy, rent trend, cap rate, landlord climate. All free.
Should you buy in 20872 (Damascus, MD)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.
Mixed signals — some positives, some negatives. Worth considering but not a slam-dunk.
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 26.3 — 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 Damascus, MD (20872)?
Click any question — our AI will research it live from the web and show you sources.
Market Analysis: 20872 Damascus
The 20872 ZIP covers a section of Damascus that demands careful diligence. Prices near $552K look accessible, but the work to make a deal cash flow is real.
Turning to rents, the numbers look inviting — $552K purchase price, 0.0% nominal cap — the work to hit that pro forma in 20872 is substantial and deserves full respect.
In practical terms, 20872 offers a low basis, the region around Damascus has moved on in ways that the ZIP itself has not fully absorbed. The result is a discount with genuine reasons.
Resident income in 20872 sits below the county median. That reality colors rent collection, vacancy, and reinvestment math in ways that outside investors often underestimate.
Strategically, 20872 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.
Here's what matters if you're considering buying a home in Damascus:
Property Strategy for 20872
Which property type performs best in this market?
📊 Compare All Property Types →
| Type | Median Value | Est. Rent | Cap Rate | 5yr CAGR | $/Bedroom |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2BR | $277,177 | $1,940 | 5.0% | +6.1% | $138,589 |
| 3BR | $472,776 | $2,450 | 3.7% | +5.3% | $157,592 |
| 4BR | $628,567 | $2,880 | 3.3% | +5.3% | $157,142 |
| 5BR | $789,667 | — | — | +5.6% | $157,933 |
Market Trends
Home Value History (with trend line)
📊 How Does 20872 Compare?
| Metric | 20872 | Damascus | Maryland |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home Value | $551,809 | $551,809 | $424,997 |
| 5-Year CAGR | 2.7% | 2.7% | 4.9% |
| Avg Rent | $1,746 | $1,746 | - |
| Cap Rate | 2.5% | 2.5% | - |
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 20872 (Damascus, 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 | $551,809 |
| Monthly Rent | $1,746 |
| Price-to-Rent | 26.3:1 |
| 1% Rule | ✗ Fails |
💰 Return Metrics
| Gross Yield | 3.8% |
| Cap Rate | 2.5% |
| 5-Year IRR | 5.2% |
📈 Home Appreciation
| 1-Year | +0.3% ▲ |
| 3-Year CAGR | +1.9% ▲ |
| 5-Year CAGR | +2.7% ▲ |
| 10-Year CAGR | +4.1% ▲ |
🏠 Rent Trends
| 1-Year | N/A |
| 3-Year CAGR | N/A |
| 5-Year CAGR | N/A |
The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (2.5%). 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 20872
Population: 13,138
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 20872
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 3,271 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Damascus, MD a good market for buy-and-hold investors?
The 3.0/5 investability rating in Damascus, MD reflects its $552K prices and $1,746/mo rents. Investors generally consider it a solid option within MD.
How much is rent in Damascus, MD?
Investors in Damascus, MD typically see rents near $1,746/mo per month against $552K home values - a solid setup for rental cash flow.
Are there empty rentals in Damascus, MD?
Rental vacancy in Damascus, MD is elevated. Investors should budget normal turnover but not chronic empty units.
What real estate strategy is ideal for Damascus, MD?
A careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management strategy Damascus, MD best. The market produces steady results for that approach at the $552K price point.
Is Damascus, MD landlord-friendly?
Damascus, MD operates under MD law, which is landlord-friendly overall for landlords. Expect consistent treatment in typical lease and eviction cases.
You know 20872 now. You don’t know where it ranks.
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How 20872 ranks in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
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