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Washington

District of Columbia, DC

STR Investment Grade

Transparent Scoring
D
35/100
⚠️ CAUTION
Score Breakdown
💰Cash-on-Cash
5/35
🏠Affordability
2/25
📅Year-Round Income
15/15
🤝Landlord Friendly
5/10
📈Room to Grow
8/15
Cash-on-Cash
-2.8%
Negative Cash Flow
Median Home
$572K
Very Expensive
Room to Grow
8/15
Limited Headroom
⚠️

STR Regulations Apply

Primary residence only; 90-night cap for unhosted stays

DC allows only primary residences for STRs. Two-year license required. Unhosted rentals capped at 90 nights/year. Second homes cannot be rented short-term.

Permit: HardOwner-Occupied OnlyMax 90 nights/year
Grade Impact: Base score of 35/100 would be grade D, but capped at D (35/100) due to regulation risk.
Verified data as of February 2026 · Regulations change frequently
📞 How to Verify
Call the Washington City Clerk or Planning & Zoning Department and ask:
1. Are short-term rentals (under 30 days) allowed at [your address]?
2. What permits or licenses are required?
3. Are there owner-occupancy requirements?
4. Any caps on rental nights per year or number of permits?
Many cities have active short-term rentals operating legally with permits — restrictions don't always mean it's impossible.

Why Washington?

Urban Market

What drives short-term rental demand here

🏙️
Urban Hub

Business travel, events, and tourism create consistent year-round occupancy in city centers.

⚖️
Balanced Supply

Healthy supply-demand ratio means room for new listings without oversaturation concerns.

Will This Deal Work?

Investment Grade
D
Negative Cash Flow
CoC: -2.8%
Can You Pay the Bills?
Risky
May struggle with payments
THE BOTTOM LINE ⚠️

This market has STR regulations to be aware of. Many hosts operate successfully with proper permits. Research local ordinances before committing.

💵
$213
Avg ADR
📅
66%
Occupancy
💰
$4,217
Monthly Revenue
🏠
$572K
Median Price

Market estimates · Updated Feb 2026

📊 Income by Property Size

Monthly revenue estimates by bedroom count

1BR
$2,319
2BR
$3,163
3BR
$4,217
4BR
$5,693
5BR
$6,958
6BR+
$8,223
⭐ Best

🏠 Top Amenities for This Market

Add these to boost your revenue

MUST HAVEParking
+18%
MUST HAVEWalkability
+15%
HIGH IMPACTWorkspace
+12%
HIGH IMPACTFast WiFi
+10%
NICE TO HAVERooftop/Patio
+8%

🎯 Your Next Steps

1
Search for 6BR+ properties
Best income potential at $8,223/month
2
Add a Parking
Boost revenue by +18%
3
Target $5,271/month
Top 25% performer income goal

📋 Regulation Status

RegulatedPermit: HardVerified Data

Regulations vary by city and county. Always verify local STR ordinances, permit requirements, and zoning laws before purchasing.

Research Comparable Listings

See active short-term rentals in this market

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Washington, DC is rated D for Airbnb investment with a score of 35/100 (CAUTION). The market has an average daily rate (ADR) of $213, 66% occupancy, and estimated monthly STR revenue of $4,217. Median home value is $571,631 with a cash-on-cash return of -2.8%. STR regulation status: Regulated. Data powered by Edge by Teeco using estimated market data.