Real Estate Investing in Willards, Maryland (21874)

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

Wicomico County • Population: 1,847 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 21874 (Willards, MD)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
GOOD FIT
Grade B (71/100)

Solid choice — values are growing steadily and the market is stable enough to buy with confidence.

📈 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
CLEAN

No major risk flags on the data we track.

• Modeled rent — no observed market rent for this ZIP; the figure is estimated from HUD fair-market rent.

What’s happening in Willards, MD (21874)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

3.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

3.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $294,716
Avg Monthly Rent $1,413
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $75,655
% Renters 23.2%

Market Analysis: 21874 Willards

Not every below-median market is a bargain. Willards's 21874 ZIP registers signals that favor experienced operators who can absorb the risk $295K pricing implies.

The investment case in 21874 is sturdy only for operators who understand what they are buying. A $295K median suggests accessibility, but management intensity, vacancy drift, and capex surprises are real.

ZIP 21874's metrics run below Wicomico County's averages on price growth and tenant stability. Investors who ignore that regional gap tend to relearn it the hard way.

Employment concentration in 21874 leans toward sectors with higher volatility. The demographic consequence is income fluctuation that investors need to factor into their pro forma.

Strategy in 21874 is an operator game, not a passive one. On the rental side, entry prices of $295K are inviting, the management lift is real and non-optional.

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 Willards:

C+ Average
Buy Confidence Score: 69/100
Affordability
15/25
Appreciation
22/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
10/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 3.9× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+5.7%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,413/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
COOL
More inventory, negotiating room for buyers
Bottom Line: Mixed signals in this market. Research specific properties carefully and be prepared to negotiate.
❄️
COOL MARKET
Salisbury, MD-DE Metro Area
More inventory, negotiating room for buyers
76 days
Average time to sell
Slow
9.0%
Listings with price cuts
Few Cuts
0.0%
Sale price vs asking
Below Ask
0.0%
Income needed for mortgage
Affordable
📅 Market conditions as of August 29, 2026 — updated weekly from Salisbury, MD-DE metro data

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$308K$273K$237K$202K$167K$132KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

📊 How Does 21874 Compare?

Metric 21874 Willards Salisbury, MD-DE Maryland
Home Value $294,716 $294,716 N/A $424,997
5-Year CAGR 6.6% 6.6% N/A 4.9%
Avg Rent $1,413 $1,413 N/A -
Cap Rate 3.7% 3.7% - -
💡 Why Invest in 21874? 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 21874 (Willards, MD). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
3.7%
Low
5yr Growth
+6.6%
Strong

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $294,716
Monthly Rent $1,413
Price-to-Rent 17.4:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 5.8%
Cap Rate 3.7%
5-Year IRR 10.3%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +5.7% ▲
3-Year CAGR +5.8% ▲
5-Year CAGR +6.6% ▲
10-Year CAGR +6.4% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 3.7%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (3.7%). 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
5.9%
Low risk
Landlord Climate
4.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+6.6%
Growing
Eviction process: Moderate Rent control: Moderate

Demographics in 21874

Population: 1,847

💰 Median Household Income
$75,655
This area
$75,655
State
$107,932
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
23.2%
This area
23.2%
State
23.8%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
5.1%
This area
5.1%
State
-20.0%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
20.3%
This area
20.3%
State
10.6%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
36.7 years
This area
36.7 years
State
1.9 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
5.9%
This area
5.9%
State
11.4%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 81.2%
Other/Mixed 16.8%
Hispanic/Latino 11.7%
Black/African American 1.8%
Asian 0.2%
👶 Under 18
31.0%
This area
31.0%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
8.0%
This area
8.0%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
18.6%
This area
18.6%
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 21874

A Avg School Grade
1 Schools
16.6:1 Avg Class Size
$20,295 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A Very Good

Willards Elementary

📚 Pre-K – 03 Elementary
👥
316 Students
👨‍🏫
16.6:1 Class Size
💰
$20,295 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

4 Nearby 658 Off-Campus Students
C
Wor-Wic Community College
2,636 students · 8.0 mi
C+
Delaware Learning Institute of Cosmetology
73 students · 11.6 mi
C
Del-Mar-Va Beauty Academy
43 students · 13.9 mi
B
Salisbury University
7,030 students · 13.9 mi

Investor Insight: With 658 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it easy to find good tenants in Willards, MD?

The renter base in Willards, MD is reasonable for the $1,413/mo price point. Screening well and pricing to market typically yields reliable tenants.

Is Willards, MD a smart market for rental property?

The 3.0/5 investability rating in Willards, MD reflects its $295K prices and $1,413/mo rents. Investors generally consider it a solid option within MD.

What approach is best for Willards, MD real estate?

Investors who focus on careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management typically do well in Willards, MD. The numbers - $295K homes against $1,413/mo rents - support that play.

Is rental property easy to operate in Willards, MD?

The landlord environment in Willards, MD is landlord-friendly. Statewide rules shape most day-to-day operations for rental owners.

Are homes affordable in Willards, MD?

Willards, MD home values average about $295K. That price point suits investors targeting rentals with $1,413/mo in monthly income.

You know 21874 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

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How 21874 ranks in Salisbury, MD-DE

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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