Real Estate Investing in Baltimore, Maryland (21217)
Everything the listing leaves out — vacancy, rent trend, cap rate, landlord climate. All free.
Should you buy in 21217 (Baltimore, MD)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.
Mixed — values have been flat. OK for long-horizon buyers, less attractive if you may need to sell soon.
A cash-flow market — rent-to-price math works from day one, though value growth is modest. Great for income-focused investors.
- High vacancy: 28.4% of homes vacant — above national norms.
- Declining values: -5.2% 5-year CAGR — values have moved lower.
- Elevated poverty: 22.1% poverty rate — can affect rent collection.
- Higher unemployment: 7.0% unemployment — tenant risk signal.
What’s happening in Baltimore, MD (21217)?
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Market Analysis: 21217 Baltimore
Homes in the 21217 ZIP trade near $91K, a discount that has historically rewarded investors willing to renovate. Rent comps near $1,576/mo support the pro forma.
Cap rate math of 0.0% understates the return here. Post-rehab, stabilized yields climb, and the 21217 ZIP's older housing stock gives operators the opportunity set to execute.
The a credible choice for piece of regional context is that nearby ZIPs with newer stock and higher basis have priced out of the value-add game. 21217 has not.
A renter-heavy, wage-earner demographic anchors 21217. Value-add players rely on that mix — the 68% share is both the tenant source and the buyer pool for future owner-occupied exits.
Strategic fit here is operational. Pro forma discipline, capex reserves, and lender relationships matter more than the marketing pitch.
Here's what matters if you're considering buying a home in Baltimore:
Property Strategy for 21217
Which property type performs best in this market?
📊 Compare All Property Types →
| Type | Median Value | Est. Rent | Cap Rate | 5yr CAGR | $/Bedroom |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1BR | $125,546 | $1,450 | 8.3% | +7.7% | $125,546 |
| 2BR | $97,773 | $1,770 | 13.0% | +6.2% | $48,887 |
| 3BR | $83,548 | $2,280 | 19.6% | +4.5% | $27,849 |
| 4BR | $182,427 | $2,550 | 10.1% | +4.2% | $45,607 |
| 5BR | $289,875 | — | — | +4.7% | $57,975 |
Market Trends
Home Value History (with trend line)
Rent History (with trend line)
📊 How Does 21217 Compare?
| Metric | 21217 | Baltimore | Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | Maryland |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Home Value | $90,660 | $181,225 | N/A | $424,997 |
| 5-Year CAGR | N/A | 1.8% | N/A | 4.9% |
| Avg Rent | $1,576 | $1,757 | N/A | - |
| Cap Rate | 13.6% | 7.5% | - | - |
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 21217 (Baltimore, MD). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.
Do you own or manage rentals in ZIP 21217 (Baltimore, MD)?
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Property managers serving Baltimore City County
Manage rentals here? List your business →Real Property Management Reliable Solutions is a property management company serving Baltimore, MD. summary from their website
RPR Property Management, LLC provides property management services for rental properties. 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 | $90,660 |
| Monthly Rent | $1,576 |
| Price-to-Rent | 4.8:1 |
| 1% Rule | ✓ Passes |
💰 Return Metrics
| Gross Yield | 20.9% |
| Cap Rate | 13.6% |
| 5-Year IRR | 8.4% |
📈 Home Appreciation
| 1-Year | -0.1% ▼ |
| 3-Year CAGR | -5.5% ▼ |
| 5-Year CAGR | -5.2% ▼ |
| 10-Year CAGR | +1.9% ▲ |
🏠 Rent Trends
| 1-Year | +6.7% ▲ |
| 3-Year CAGR | +5.3% ▲ |
| 5-Year CAGR | +5.1% ▲ |
The estimated cap rate (13.6%) exceeds the current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%). When borrowing costs less than a property yields, leverage can increase your cash-on-cash return above the cap rate.
⚠️ Risk Signals
Composite view of factors that can impact a ZIP's stability and your downside risk.
Demographics in 21217
Population: 31,125
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 21217
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 5,321 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Baltimore, MD rate as a rental market?
With a 4.0/5 investability score, Baltimore, MD ranks as a solid market for rental property investors. Median prices of $91K and rents of $1,576/mo drive the underlying numbers.
How much is rent in Baltimore, MD?
Rent in Baltimore, MD is around $1,576/mo. The resulting rent-to-value relationship with $91K pricing is reasonable for most investor models.
How viable is house hacking in Baltimore, MD?
For house hackers, Baltimore, MD is an attractive. The $1,576/mo rent on a unit helps defray the mortgage on a $91K property.
What investment strategy works best in Baltimore, MD?
Baltimore, MD investors pursuing value-add and BRRRR deals. The underlying economics ($91K prices, $1,576/mo rents) make it a reasonable choice.
What is the average home sale price in Baltimore, MD?
Homes in Baltimore, MD typically sell near $91K. Prices have moved at a 0.0% 5-year CAGR, which even-keeled long-term demand.
You know 21217 now. You don’t know where it ranks.
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How 21217 ranks in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD
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