1604 Arlington Ave · Bessemer, AL 35020

$65,000

3 bd · 1.5 ba · 1,596 sqft · SingleFamily public records · 12 Days on market

Built 1920 6,969 sqft lot Est $65k · at est.

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Why this score? — see what drove the B- grade

The composite is a weighted blend of 9 inputs, each scored 0–100. Each bar is that input's sub-score; the figure is the points it added to the 100-point composite (weight × sub-score).

• Cash flow +30.0/30.0
• 1% rule +10.0/10.0
• DSCR +10.0/10.0
• ARV discount +7.8/15.0
• Livability +3.0/5.0
• Condition / age +2.5/5.0
• Rent growth +1.7/5.0
• Schools +0.8/10.0
• Appreciation +0.0/10.0

Listing remarks

Cash or Hard Money Investor Special - $65,000 Opportunity awaits at 1604 Arlington Ave, Bessemer, AL! This 1920 bungalow offers approximately 1,596 sq. ft and is price to sell for cash buyers looking to add value. Featuring a spacious layout, covered front porch, and classic character, this property is being sol AS-IS and is ready for renovation or rental portfolio expansion. Great potential for fix-and-flip investor or buy and hold landlords.

Key facts

• Covered front porch
• Ready for renovation
• 6,969 sq ft lot

Tags

• COVERED FRONT PORCH
• READY FOR RENOVATION

Property features AI

Finance

• Other: Parcel ID 38-00-10-3-014-009.000; Approximately 0.16 acre lot; Located in Bessemer subdivision
• HOA & community: No association fees

Exterior

• Parking: On-street parking
• Utilities: Public water; Connected sewer; Spectrum internet availability; Electric water heater
• Home design: Existing/home in place; Brick-over-foundation and wood construction; Crawl space foundation
• Construction: Brick over foundation; Wood siding/structure
• Exterior features: Front porch

Interior

• Kitchen: Laminate countertops; Electric cooktop
• Bedrooms: Master bedroom on main level; Additional bedrooms on main level
• Flooring: Carpet; Hardwood; Tile
• Bathrooms: One full bathroom; One half bathroom; Tub/shower combo
• Heating & cooling: Central heating; Central air conditioning
• Interior features: Handyman special; Pull-down attic; Brick fireplace with wood-burning insert in the living room
• Laundry & utility: Main-level laundry with washer hookup; Electric dryer hookup; Electric water heater

What this means for you Summary

Snapshot

• This is a 3-bed/1.5-bath single-family listed at $65k.

Deal economics

• At list price, monthly cash flow is $492 ($6k/yr) — positive.
• The deal already cash-flows at list — no discount required.
• Meets the 1% rule at list price ($1k rent vs $65k).
• Cap rate 15.4% vs local median 5.9% in Bessemer — top-decile yield for the area; either an underpriced asset or a hidden risk that comps aren't pricing in. Stress-test before assuming the spread holds.

Location & tenants

• Location reads 59/100 on livability (#331 in AL) — a working-class tenant base; expect higher turnover. Strengths: commute A+, cost of living A+, housing A; Watch: crime F, amenities F, employment F.
• Bessemer City (suburban): math 3% / reading 19% proficiency, ranked #120 of 129 in AL (top 93%) — low school quality limits family demand, transient renter base, plan for 1-2y turnover; 87% free/reduced lunch — lower-income household profile, screen leases tightly.
• Zoned schools: Bessemer City High School (math 2% / reading 8%, grade F, #276 of 305 statewide, top 95%, 850 students, 61% FRL) — zoned schools average 61% FRL vs 87% district-wide (26 pts lower); this property's tenant base skews higher-income than the district average.
• Market conditions: Rents falling (-3.1%/yr); 115 active listings in the ZIP; 16 comparable units currently listed for rent nearby; rentals at typical pace (median 24d on market — plan ~3-4 weeks tenant-placement turnaround); 44% of comp listings sitting > 30 days — soft ceiling on asking rent; lower-income renter base — watch delinquency; 2,114 units permitted in Jefferson County in 2024 (556 in 5+ unit buildings).
• This rent runs 39% of the median local income ($35k/yr) — at the standard rent-burdened threshold; future hikes will face affordability resistance.

Forward outlook

• Local home prices are declining (-3.0%/yr); year-one equity from $449 of loan paydown is wiped out by about $2k of value loss. Plan a longer hold.
• Jefferson County population projected to shrink 4% by 2050 — rents likely to lag national; underwrite the cash flow, not the appreciation.
• At projected returns (-3.0% appreciation + 0.0% rent growth), your $18k cash investment doubles in ~5 years — after that, you're playing with house money.

Negotiation context

• Only 12 days on market — expect competitive offers; lowballing is unlikely to land.

Risks & watch-outs

• Watch-outs: built in 1920 — expect roof / HVAC / electrical / plumbing capex.
• Climate carrying-cost: major wind risk, 35% chance of damaging wind over 30y; extreme-heat days projected 7→20/yr by 2055 (HVAC capex compounding) — expect insurance premiums to compound above CPI over the hold.

Recommended offer $65,000

Questions for the listing agent

1. Built in 1920 — when were the roof, HVAC, electrical panel, plumbing, and water heater last replaced?
2. Is there a deadline driving the sale (1031 exchange, divorce, estate, relocation)? That informs how much negotiation room exists.
3. Schools are D-rated, which usually means shorter tenancies and higher turnover. Who's the typical renter profile here, and what's been the actual vacancy rate?
4. Crime grade is F in this area — have there been break-ins, vandalism, or insurance claims at this property in the last 3 years? What carrier currently insures it and at what premium?
5. What's the average days-on-market for RENTAL listings here right now (not sales)? A rising rental-DOM trend means longer vacancies and softer asking-rent achievability than the comps imply.
6. What's the recent tenant-quality profile in this submarket — average credit score on applications, eviction rate, late-payment / NSF rate, and stable-employment percentage? A property-management company in the area should have these aggregated.
7. How much new for-sale + rental construction is in the pipeline within 1–3 miles? Heavy new supply typically softens prices + rents 12–24 months out; constrained supply supports both.

Investment metrics

• 1% rule: 1.78% ✓
• Cap rate: 15.37%
• Cash-on-cash: 32.42%
• DSCR: 2.44
• GRM: 4.7

CMA / ARV

• ARV (on-the-fly): $65,436
• Comps found: 12

Show comp detail 12 sales within ~0.75 mi

Address	Dist	Beds/Ba	Sqft	Sold	Price	$/sf	Match
1531 Dartmouth Ave	0.29mi	3/2.0	1,590 (-0%)	2mo	$88,000	$55	82
1612 Exeter Ave	0.34mi	4/2.0 (+1)	1,680 (+5%)	0mo	$157,500	$94	68
1725 Exeter Ave	0.40mi	2/1.0 (-1)	1,569 (-2%)	7mo	$41,500	$26	66
1612 Exeter Ave	0.34mi	4/2.0 (+1)	1,680 (+5%)	7mo	$68,500	$41	63
1424 Dartmouth Ave	0.29mi	3/2.0	1,800 (+13%)	1mo	$73,000	$41	62
419 19th St S	0.43mi	3/2.0	1,430 (-10%)	1mo	$28,000	$20	60
2124 Clarendon Ave	0.52mi	3/2.0	1,587 (-1%)	17mo	$35,500	$22	59
1320 Longbrook Dr	0.45mi	3/2.5	1,632 (+2%)	18mo	$205,000	$126	57
5937 Malcom Ave	0.51mi	3/2.0	1,692 (+6%)	12mo	$90,000	$53	55
2306 Clarendon Ave	0.66mi	3/2.0	1,492 (-6%)	5mo	$10,000	$7	52
1017 Avenue G	0.75mi	3/2.0	1,608 (+1%)	13mo	$106,250	$66	51
1500 7th Ave N	0.65mi	3/2.0	1,421 (-11%)	3mo	$46,000	$32	47

Match score weights: distance 35% · size 25% · config 20% · recency 20%. Top-matched comps best support the ARV.

Projected returns pro-forma

-3.0% appreciation · 0.0% rent growth · sell at horizon

5-year hold

• IRR: 24.1%
• Equity multiple: 1.96×
• Total profit: $17,385
• Equity at exit: $9,692

10-year hold

• IRR: 30.1%
• Equity multiple: 3.33×
• Total profit: $42,341
• Equity at exit: $5,620

Cash invested: $18,200 (down + closing). Projections, not guarantees.

Landlord ↔ Tenant lean methodology

• Overall (STATE): 90 Strongly Landlord-Friendly
• State Alabama: 90 Strongly Landlord-Friendly · R+15
• County: — inherits STATE
• City: — inherits STATE

Right-to-evict in 7 days for non-payment; no rent control; preempted statewide; courts move quickly.

Methodology + full state rankings →

ZIP-level market 35020

• Home prices YoY: -24.2%
• Rents YoY: -3.1%
• Active inventory: 115
• Price-to-rent: 4.7×

Monthly cashflow live

• Estimated rent: $1,159 high
• Mortgage (P&I): −$341
• Tax from tax record: −$56 /mo · $671/yr
• Insurance: −$27
• HOA: −$0
• Vacancy / Maint / Mgmt: −$243
• Net cashflow: $492

Break-even live

Break-even rent $537

Max offer price $65,000

Occupancy floor 53%

UW: 25.0% down · 7.5% · 30yr · 1.5% tax · 5.0% vac · 8.0% maint · 8.0% mgmt

Financing live

Cash to close

• Down payment: $16,250
• Closing costs: $1,950
• Reserves months: —
• Total cash needed: —

Rent comps 16 comps

Address	Beds	Baths	Sqft	Rent	$/sqft	DOM	Units	Dist
320 16th St S Bessemer, AL	3.0	1.5	1792	$950	$0.53	44d	1	0.25mi
419 19th St S Bessemer, AL	3.0	2.0	1200	$1,050	$0.88	12d	1	0.44mi
1622 Fairfax Ave Bessemer, AL	2.0	2.0	1104	$995	$0.90	2d	1	0.44mi
1811 Fairfax Ave Bessemer, AL	4.0	2.0	1732	$1,350	$0.78	24d	1	0.52mi
719 16th St N Bessemer, AL	3.0	1.5	1085	$1,075	$0.99	24d	1	0.68mi
1909 Holbrook Ave Bessemer, AL	2.0	1.0	1064	$930	$0.87	44d	1	0.72mi
817 15th St N Bessemer, AL	3.0	2.0	1116	$1,125	$1.01	3d	1	0.76mi
830 5th Ave N Bessemer, AL	3.0	1.0	1072	$1,000	$0.93	44d	1	0.79mi
806 4th Ave N Bessemer, AL	3.0	1.0	1092	$1,050	$0.96	24d	1	0.82mi
434 Bryant St Bessemer, AL	4.0	2.0	1540	$1,523	$0.99	3d	1	1.02mi
704 Avenue I Bessemer, AL	3.0	1.0	1232	$1,200	$0.97	24d	1	1.04mi
200 Center St Bessemer, AL	3.0	1.5	1826	$1,200	$0.66	10d	1	1.28mi
18 Center St Bessemer, AL	3.0	1.0	1418	$1,100	$0.78	44d	1	1.34mi
10 Center St Bessemer, AL	3.0	1.0	1152	$1,000	$0.87	44d	1	1.36mi
236 Clifton St Bessemer, AL	3.0	1.0	1450	$1,100	$0.76	44d	1	1.39mi
3019 7th Ave N Bessemer, AL	3.0	1.0	1080	$1,050	$0.97	44d	1	1.45mi

Listing history 10 events

1. 2026-06-18
   days on market $65,000 Active 12 DOM
2. 2026-06-17
   days on market $65,000 Active 11 DOM
3. 2026-06-16
   days on market $65,000 Active 10 DOM
4. 2026-06-15
   days on market $65,000 Active 9 DOM
5. 2026-06-13
   days on market $65,000 Active 7 DOM
6. 2026-06-10
   days on market $65,000 Active 4 DOM
7. 2026-06-09
   days on market $65,000 Active 3 DOM
8. 2026-06-08
   days on market $65,000 Active 2 DOM
9. 2026-06-07
   remarks 448-char remark
10. 2026-06-07
    listed $65,000 Active 1 DOM

ⓘ Source: listings_history table (triggers on properties + properties_extension) + one-shot backfill from property_details.listing_events for pre-trigger history.

Tax reassessment forecast AL · Resets to sale price

• Current annual tax: $671 · $56/mo
• Projected year-2 tax: $671 · $56/mo
• Expected delta: $0/yr ($0/mo · 0.0%)

ⓘ Screening estimate from a state-policy table — verify with the county assessor before closing.

Climate risk First Street

• 🌊 Flood 1/10 Low FEMA zone X (unshaded) · 0% chance over 30 yrs
• 🔥 Wildfire 3/10 Moderate
• 🌡 Heat 7/10 Severe 7 d/yr ≥108°F today · 20 d/yr by 30 yrs out
• 💨 Wind 6/10 Major 35% chance of damaging wind over 30 yrs
• 🫁 Air quality 3/10 Moderate 2 unhealthy d/yr today · 5 by 30 yrs out

Taxation est. · year 1

• Rental income: $13,906
• − Mortgage interest: −$3,641
• − Property taxes: −$671
• − Insurance: −$325
• − Repairs & maintenance: −$1,113
• − Management: −$1,113
• − Depreciation: −$1,891
• Taxable income: $5,153
• Est. tax owed @ 24.0%: −$1,237
• After-tax cash flow: $4,663/yr

For passive investors: Depreciation is non-cash, so a rental often shows a tax loss while cash-flowing — sheltering income. Rental losses are passive: they offset passive income freely, and up to $25,000/yr can offset ordinary (W-2) income if you actively participate and your MAGI is under $100k (phasing out to $0 by $150k); unused losses carry forward. On sale, claimed depreciation is recaptured at up to 25%, and gains may owe capital-gains tax (a 1031 exchange can defer both). Figures are a year-1 estimate at your 24.0% rate — not tax advice; consult a CPA.

Schools (NCES district)

• District: Bessemer City
• NCES district ID: 0100330
• Math proficiency: 3% ▼ -18.00%
• Reading proficiency: 19% ▼ -3.00%
• Median HH income: $29,721
• Composite: 8.45/100
• National rank: #9905
• State rank: #120 of 129 in AL

Livability — Bessemer

• Score: 59/100
• State rank: #331
• US rank: #20078

Category grades

Amenities F Commute A+ Cost of living A+ Crime F Employment F Housing A Health & safety F User ratings B

Schools grade is shown separately in the Schools card above.

Census & demographics

• Census place: Bessemer, AL
• County: Jefferson County · 527,445 people
• City population: 48,018
• Metro: Birmingham-Hoover, AL
• Population (ZIP): 24,892
• Household income: $35,362
• Rent vs Own: 40.6% rent · 59.4% own
• Severe rent burden: 1001.0

Population outlook (Jefferson County) Hauer SSP2

• Today (2025): 669,185 people
• By 2030: 669,694 · +0.1%
• By 2040: 661,388 · -1.2%
• By 2050: 643,086 · -3.9%
• By 2075: 577,267 · -13.7%
• By 2100: 474,758 · -29.1%

Race, ethnicity, and origin ACS 2023

• Neighborhood character: Predominantly Black (74%)
• Race & ethnicity: Black 74% Hispanic / Latino 13% White 11% Two or more races 6%
• Hispanic origin (detail): Mexican 10%
• Foreign-born: 5% · Canada
• Languages at home: 89% English-only · Spanish 11%

Political lean MEDSL · Jefferson

• 2024 margin: D (+10.4) · D 54.6% · R 44.2% · Other 1.2%
• 2008→2024 swing: +5.4pp toward D · 2008: 5.1pp · 2024: 10.4pp
• All cycles: 2024: D+10.4 2020: D+13.2 2016: D+7.2 2012: D+6.0 2008: D+5.1

Not yet ingested

• Civics: —

Market trends

• HPI YoY: ▼ -57.54%
• Current HPI: 179.7702
• Rent YoY: ▼ -3.12%
• Metro: Birmingham-Hoover, AL
• State GDP YoY: ▲ 2.94%
• F500 in state: 4

Industry mix (Fortune 500 HQ in AL)

Industry	F500 HQs	Revenue
▸Financial Services	1	$8B
▸Healthcare	1	$5B

Price history

+251.4% since first listed

3 events — show timeline

• 2026-06-06 Listed $65,000 Greater Alabama MLS
• 2006-03-31 Sold (Public Records) $78,900 Public Records
• 1978-08-15 Sold (Public Records) $18,500 Public Records

Property tax history

+5.0%/yr

Latest (2025): $671 · +5.2% YoY. Source: county tax records.