Real Estate Investing in Kitzmiller, Maryland (21538)

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

Garrett County • Population: 605 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 21538 (Kitzmiller, MD)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
MIXED
Grade C (57/100)

Mixed — values have been flat. OK for long-horizon buyers, less attractive if you may need to sell soon.

📈 For Investors
MIXED
3.0 / 5 (57/100)

A cash-flow market — rent-to-price math works from day one, though value growth is modest. Great for income-focused investors.

⚠️ Risks to Know
2 flags
  • High vacancy: 19.1% of homes vacant — above national norms.
  • Higher unemployment: 13.3% unemployment — tenant risk signal.

• Limited market data — this is a very small market; averages are built from few observations and can swing widely. • Modeled rent — no observed market rent for this ZIP; the figure is estimated from HUD fair-market rent.

What’s happening in Kitzmiller, MD (21538)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

0.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

5.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $88,441
Avg Monthly Rent $873
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $82,250
% Renters 15.0%

Market Analysis: 21538 Kitzmiller

ZIP 21538 in Kitzmiller, MD carries a impressive set of headwinds. Home values near $88K and rents of $873/mo sit inside a market where underwriting has to be tight.

The investment case in 21538 is resilient only for operators who understand what they are buying. A $88K median suggests accessibility, but management intensity, vacancy drift, and capex surprises are real.

In the broader MD picture, 21538 is a reminder that not every low-priced ZIP is a value-add opportunity — some are simply distressed, and the difference matters.

The 21538 ZIP's population of 605 has faced economic pressure over the last decade. That pressure shows up in rent delinquency patterns that comes in at the need for careful underwriting.

Experienced landlords with local relationships tend to find 21538 workable. Turnkey investors from out of state usually find the numbers do not hold up in practice.

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 Kitzmiller:

B+ Great
Buy Confidence Score: 80/100
Affordability
25/25
Appreciation
25/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Affordable
Homes cost 1.1× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+15.0%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $873/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
BALANCED
Even conditions for buyers and sellers
Bottom Line: This area shows favorable conditions for homebuyers. Solid fundamentals with reasonable affordability.

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$90K$86K$83K$79K$75K$72KFeb 2022May 2024Jul 2026

📊 How Does 21538 Compare?

Metric 21538 Kitzmiller Maryland
Home Value $88,441 $88,441 $424,997
5-Year CAGR N/A N/A 4.9%
Avg Rent $873 $873 -
Cap Rate 7.7% 7.7% -
💡 Why Invest in 21538? Click to expand

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

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Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 21538 (Kitzmiller, MD). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
7.7%
Good

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $88,441
Monthly Rent $873
Price-to-Rent 8.4:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 11.9%
Cap Rate 7.7%
5-Year IRR 11.7%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +15.0% ▲
3-Year CAGR +4.0% ▲
5-Year CAGR N/A
10-Year CAGR N/A

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Neutral Leverage Cap Rate: 7.7%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage is roughly neutral here.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) is close to the estimated cap rate (7.7%). Financing this market at current rates produces a cash-on-cash return near the cap rate. Appreciation and tax benefits may still support the investment.

⚠️ Risk Signals

Composite view of factors that can impact a ZIP's stability and your downside risk.

Vacancy
19.1%
Elevated risk
Landlord Climate
4.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
N/A
Stable
Eviction process: Moderate Rent control: Moderate

Demographics in 21538

Population: 605

💰 Median Household Income
$82,250
This area
$82,250
State
$107,932
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
15.0%
This area
15.0%
State
23.8%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
13.3%
This area
13.3%
State
-20.0%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
7.2%
This area
7.2%
State
10.6%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
46.8 years
This area
46.8 years
State
1.9 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
19.1%
This area
19.1%
State
11.4%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 94.4%
Other/Mixed 5.6%
Hispanic/Latino 4.4%
👶 Under 18
15.2%
This area
15.2%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
13.8%
This area
13.8%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
4.7%
This area
4.7%
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

🎓 Nearby Colleges & Universities

3 Nearby 390 Off-Campus Students
B
Mineral County Vocational Technical Center
14 students · 12.6 mi
C
Garrett College
701 students · 12.8 mi
C
Potomac State College of West Virginia University
1,143 students · 13.0 mi

Frequently Asked Questions

Where do home prices stand in Kitzmiller, MD?

In Kitzmiller, MD the median home value sits at $88K. Against the broader MD market, that reads as reasonable for most investors.

How strong are rents in Kitzmiller, MD?

Rents in Kitzmiller, MD run near $873/mo. Compared with median home prices of $88K that produces solid gross yields for typical rentals.

Which real estate strategy fits Kitzmiller, MD?

In Kitzmiller, MD the substantial play is typically careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management. The combination of $88K prices and $873/mo rents suits that approach.

Is Kitzmiller, MD landlord-friendly?

Kitzmiller, MD operates under MD law, which is landlord-friendly overall for landlords. Expect steady treatment in typical lease and eviction cases.

Is the tenant base reliable in Kitzmiller, MD?

Kitzmiller, MD draws a stable base of working renters. Demand at the $873/mo rent level is reasonable for standard single-family and small multi rentals.

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