Investing in Howard County
Howard County covers 2 rental markets we actively finance in Maryland — Columbia, Ellicott City. Across those markets the median investment basis averages $562,500, a long-term lease averages $2,688/month, and the average all-in PITIA on a DSCR loan at the minimum down payment is $3,869. That produces a county-wide average DSCR ratio near 0.70x.
Basis varies more inside Howard County than the average suggests. Columbia is the lowest entry point at roughly $500,000, while Columbia currently models the strongest coverage ratio in the county at 0.71x. When two towns in the same county ratio differently, it is almost always the rent-to-price relationship rather than the rate — the same loan pricing applies county-wide, so the deal is won on which submarket you buy in.