Real Estate Investing in Accident, Maryland (21520)

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

Garrett County • Population: 2,327 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 21520 (Accident, MD)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
CAUTION
Grade D (48/100)

Proceed carefully. Weak appreciation or affordability makes this a harder case for most buyers.

📈 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
2 flags
  • High vacancy: 15.2% of homes vacant — above national norms.
  • High price-to-rent: Price-to-rent ratio 25.7 — 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 Accident, MD (21520)?

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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 $322,028
Avg Monthly Rent $1,044
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $67,708
% Renters 17.9%

Market Analysis: 21520 Accident

The 21520 ZIP covers a section of Accident that demands careful diligence. Prices near $322K look accessible, but the work to make a deal cash flow is real.

If the plan assumes clean turnover, on-time rent, and low maintenance on a $322K asset, 21520 is the wrong submarket. If the plan prices in friction, the yield can still work.

In the broader MD picture, 21520 is a reminder that not every low-priced ZIP is a value-add opportunity — some are simply distressed, and the difference matters.

Demographically, 21520 is a market where tenant selection matters more than unit finishes. Operators who understand that tend to do fine; those who do not tend to learn why the ZIP trades at a discount.

New investors are better served looking at Accident's stable or hybrid ZIPs before stepping into 21520. The learning curve here is expensive when the lesson is wrong.

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 Accident:

C Below Average
Buy Confidence Score: 58/100
Affordability
10/25
Appreciation
18/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 4.8× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+6.6%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,044/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.

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$338K$301K$264K$228K$191K$154KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

📊 How Does 21520 Compare?

Metric 21520 Accident Maryland
Home Value $322,028 $322,028 $424,997
5-Year CAGR 4.5% 4.5% 4.9%
Avg Rent $1,044 $1,044 -
Cap Rate 2.5% 2.5% -
💡 Why Invest in 21520? 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 →
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Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 21520 (Accident, MD). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
2.5%
Low
5yr Growth
+4.5%
Moderate

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $322,028
Monthly Rent $1,044
Price-to-Rent 25.7:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 3.9%
Cap Rate 2.5%
5-Year IRR 7.1%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +6.6% ▲
3-Year CAGR +3.0% ▲
5-Year CAGR +4.5% ▲
10-Year CAGR +6.0% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 2.5%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (2.5%). 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.

Vacancy
15.2%
Elevated risk
Landlord Climate
4.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+4.5%
Stable
Eviction process: Moderate Rent control: Moderate

Demographics in 21520

Population: 2,327

💰 Median Household Income
$67,708
This area
$67,708
State
$107,932
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
17.9%
This area
17.9%
State
23.8%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
0.7%
This area
0.7%
State
-20.0%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
27.3%
This area
27.3%
State
10.6%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
42.0 years
This area
42.0 years
State
1.9 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
15.2%
This area
15.2%
State
11.4%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 97.3%
Black/African American 2.2%
Other/Mixed 0.4%
👶 Under 18
23.3%
This area
23.3%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
19.0%
This area
19.0%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
4.0%
This area
4.0%
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 21520

A+ Avg School Grade
3 Schools
12.4:1 Avg Class Size
$30,061 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A+ Excellent

Accident Elementary

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
222 Students
👨‍🏫
10.8:1 Class Size
💰
$30,061 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Northern Garrett High School

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
444 Students
👨‍🏫
13.2:1 Class Size
💰
$30,061 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Northern Middle School

📚 06 – 08 Middle
👥
315 Students
👨‍🏫
13.3:1 Class Size
💰
$30,061 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

1 Nearby 109 Off-Campus Students
C
Garrett College
701 students · 5.6 mi

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a house cost in Accident, MD?

Median home price in Accident, MD is near $322K, with a 5-year CAGR of 0.0%. Prices have been predictable and supportive of buy-and-hold strategies.

What investment strategy works best in Accident, MD?

Investors usually favor careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management in Accident, MD. With home values at $322K and rents near $1,044/mo, other strategies can work but produce stable rather than outsized returns.

What is the renter demographic in Accident, MD?

The renter base in Accident, MD is reasonable for the $1,044/mo price point. Screening well and pricing to market typically yields even-keeled tenants.

Should investors worry about vacancy in Accident, MD?

Vacancy risk in Accident, MD is elevated. That supports stable cash flow for typical rental holds.

Does a duplex house hack pencil in Accident, MD?

House hacking in Accident, MD is reasonable to execute. Prices around $322K and rents of $1,044/mo solid owner-occupant economics.

You know 21520 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

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