Real Estate Investing in Funkstown, Maryland (21734)

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

Washington County • Population: 826 • Data updated: September 2026

☆ Watch this market Free account

Should you buy in 21734 (Funkstown, MD)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
WEAK FIT
Grade F (37/100)

Multiple negative signals. Better options likely exist nearby.

📈 For Investors
WEAK
2.0 / 5 (33/100)

Structural challenges here. The numbers may look cheap but operational risk is high. Only for experienced, hands-on investors.

⚠️ Risks to Know
1 flag
  • Elevated vacancy: 8.7% vacancy may signal weakening demand.

• 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 Funkstown, MD (21734)?

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.
2.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

0.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

3.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $278,096
Avg Monthly Rent $1,008
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $52,794
% Renters 38.2%

Market Analysis: 21734 Funkstown

ZIP 21734 in Funkstown, MD carries a substantial set of headwinds. Home values near $278K and rents of $1,008/mo sit inside a market where underwriting has to be tight.

Stepping back, the numbers look inviting — $278K purchase price, 0.0% nominal cap — the work to hit that pro forma in 21734 is substantial and deserves full respect.

Statewide comparisons place 21734 among MD's softer markets. That context does not make the ZIP uninvestable, but it does raise the bar for due diligence.

A durable renter share of 38% in 21734 is not, on its own, a problem — but paired with below-average income and high mobility, it changes the operating playbook.

New investors are better served looking at Funkstown's stable or hybrid ZIPs before stepping into 21734. 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 Funkstown:

C Below Average
Buy Confidence Score: 54/100
Affordability
10/25
Appreciation
14/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Expensive
Homes cost 5.3× the median income
Value Trend
Stable (+2.5%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,008/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)

$282K$272K$262K$252K$242K$232KFeb 2022May 2024Jul 2026

📊 How Does 21734 Compare?

Metric 21734 Funkstown Maryland
Home Value $278,096 $278,096 $424,997
5-Year CAGR N/A N/A 4.9%
Avg Rent $1,008 $1,008 -
Cap Rate 2.8% 2.8% -
💡 Why Invest in 21734? Click to expand

A healthy rental market with 38% renter-occupied households ensures tenant availability.

📊 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 21734 (Funkstown, MD). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

Do you own or manage rentals in ZIP 21734 (Funkstown, MD)?

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

Investability
Fair
Cap Rate
2.8%
Low

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $278,096
Monthly Rent $1,008
Price-to-Rent 23.0:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 4.4%
Cap Rate 2.8%
5-Year IRR 5.9%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +2.5% ▲
3-Year CAGR +3.1% ▲
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
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 2.8%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (2.8%). 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
8.7%
Moderate risk
Landlord Climate
4.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
N/A
Stable
Eviction process: Moderate Rent control: Moderate

Demographics in 21734

Population: 826

💰 Median Household Income
$52,794
This area
$52,794
State
$107,932
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
38.2%
This area
38.2%
State
23.8%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
2.3%
This area
2.3%
State
-20.0%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
29.2%
This area
29.2%
State
10.6%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
59.1 years
This area
59.1 years
State
1.9 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
8.7%
This area
8.7%
State
11.4%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 99.7%
Other/Mixed 0.3%
👶 Under 18
6.6%
This area
6.6%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
29.0%
This area
29.0%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
1.5%
This area
1.5%
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 21734

Nearby Schools (5 more)

Schools in adjacent ZIP codes that may serve this area

A+ Excellent

Bester Elementary

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
📍 385 Mill St, Hagerstown
👥
461 Students
👨‍🏫
10.9:1 Class Size
💰
$17,101 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Barbara Ingram School for the Arts

📚 09 – 12 High School
📍 7-11 S. Potomac Street, Hagerstown
👥
330 Students
👨‍🏫
14.0:1 Class Size
💰
$17,101 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Lincolnshire Elementary

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
📍 17545 Lincolnshire Rd, Hagerstown
👥
500 Students
👨‍🏫
13.8:1 Class Size
💰
$17,101 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Pangborn Elementary

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
📍 195 Pangborn Blvd, Hagerstown
👥
711 Students
👨‍🏫
13.7:1 Class Size
💰
$17,101 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Salem Avenue Elementary

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
📍 1323 Salem Ave Ext, Hagerstown
👥
705 Students
👨‍🏫
14.0:1 Class Size
💰
$17,101 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

3 Nearby 1,790 Off-Campus Students
D
Award Beauty School
132 students · 2.5 mi
C
Hagerstown Community College
5,433 students · 2.6 mi
C+
Shepherd University
3,318 students · 13.1 mi

Investor Insight: With 1,790 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much rent can I charge in Funkstown, MD?

Average rent in Funkstown, MD is approximately $1,008/mo per month. Against $278K home values that yields a reasonable rent-to-price ratio.

Where do home prices stand in Funkstown, MD?

Expect median prices around $278K in Funkstown, MD. The market has run at a 0.0% 5-year CAGR, so entry costs have been measured.

What strategy should investors use in Funkstown, MD?

In Funkstown, MD the substantial play is typically careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management. The combination of $278K prices and $1,008/mo rents suits that approach.

What are vacancy rates like in Funkstown, MD?

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

Does house hacking work in Funkstown, MD?

The a challenging house-hack environment in Funkstown, MD reflects the rent-to-price spread. Expect meaningful PITI offset at market rents.

You know 21734 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 21734 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 21734 ranks in Hagerstown-Martinsburg, MD-WV

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
🤖

AI Market Advisor

Ask questions about investing in 21734 (Funkstown)

Loading...

Community Ratings

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

Be the first to rate 21734 (Funkstown, MD).

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