1221 A Ave · Cedar Rapids, IA 52405

$29,950

2 bd · 1.0 ba · 972 sqft · SingleFamily public records · 5 Days on market

Built 1915 4,182 sqft lot

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Why this score? — see what drove the D+ 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 +15.0/30.0
• ARV discount +7.5/15.0
• 1% rule +5.0/10.0
• DSCR +5.0/10.0
• Rent growth +5.0/5.0
• Schools +4.7/10.0
• Livability +3.9/5.0
• Condition / age +2.5/5.0
• Appreciation +0.0/10.0

Listing remarks MLS

Please note the home had a fire and is priced accordingly, it can be rebuilt and this is a chance to make the floor plan the way you want.

Key facts

• 4,182 sq ft lot
• Garage
• Built 1915

What this means for you Summary

Snapshot

• This is a 2-bed/1.0-bath single-family listed at $30k.

Deal economics

• At list price, monthly cash flow is $828 ($10k/yr) — positive.
• The deal already cash-flows at list — no discount required.
• Meets the 1% rule at list price ($1k rent vs $30k).
• Cap rate 39.5% vs local median 3.5% in Cedar Rapids — 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 78/100 on livability (#134 in IA, #2,474 nationally) — a middle-class / working-renter tenant base. Strengths: cost of living A+, housing A+, health & safety A+; Watch: crime C-, commute F.
• Cedar Rapids Community School District (urban): math 50% / reading 59% proficiency, ranked #265 of 289 in IA (top 92%) — acceptable for families but not a draw, mixed tenant base, ~2y average lease.
• Zoned schools: Harrison Elementary School (math 37% / reading 42%, grade F, #579 of 616 statewide, top 95%, 285 students, 78% FRL); Roosevelt Creative Corridor Business Academy (math 36% / reading 47%, grade F, #235 of 246 statewide, top 96%, 510 students, 69% FRL); Thomas Jefferson High School (math 41% / reading 62%, grade D+, #307 of 336 statewide, top 91%, 1,543 students, 56% FRL) — zoned schools average 68% FRL vs 43% district-wide (24 pts higher); higher-poverty schools than district average — tighter screening recommended.
• Market conditions: Rents rising fast (+12.4%/yr); 145 active listings in the ZIP; 4 comparable units currently listed for rent nearby; rentals lingering (median 44d on market — plan ~5-8 weeks vacancy on turnover, expect pricing pressure); 50% of comp listings sitting > 30 days — soft ceiling on asking rent; 1,023 units permitted in Linn County in 2024 (456 in 5+ unit buildings).

Forward outlook

• Local home prices are declining (-3.0%/yr); year-one equity from $208 of loan paydown is wiped out by about $898 of value loss. Plan a longer hold.
• Linn County population projected at +16% by 2050 — long-run rental-demand tailwind backs the buy-and-hold thesis.
• At projected returns (-3.0% appreciation + 8.0% rent growth), your $8k cash investment doubles in ~1 year — after that, you're playing with house money.

Negotiation context

• Only 5 days on market — expect competitive offers; lowballing is unlikely to land.
• 2 sale attempts since 7y ago with the ask held roughly flat each time — persistent listings suggest the price (not the market) is what's stuck; bring a comps-based counter.
• Current owner paid $5k; list at $30k implies a 499% gain — meaningful room to come down on a strong offer.

Risks & watch-outs

• Watch-outs: built in 1915 — expect roof / HVAC / electrical / plumbing capex.

Recommended offer $29,950

Questions for the listing agent

1. Built in 1915 — 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 B-rated — typically a magnet for longer-tenancy family renters. What's the average tenant stay here, and is there a school-zone premium baked into asking?
4. The area grade is low — what's the realistic commute time and amenity access for the typical tenant pool here? Any planned neighborhood developments (good or bad) we should know about?
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: 4.41% ✓
• Cap rate: 39.47%
• Cash-on-cash: 118.48%
• DSCR: 6.27
• GRM: 1.9

CMA / ARV

• ARV (on-the-fly): $150,660
• Comps found: 12

Show comp detail 12 sales within ~0.75 mi

Address	Dist	Beds/Ba	Sqft	Sold	Price	$/sf	Match
1221 A Ave	0.00mi	2/1.0	972 (0%)	0mo	$19,000	$20	100
716 9th St St	0.42mi	2/1.0	972 (0%)	2mo	$153,500	$158	79
1649 B Ave NW	0.40mi	2/1.0	986 (+1%)	6mo	$158,000	$160	74
1128 B Ave NW	0.21mi	2/1.0	840 (-14%)	3mo	$117,000	$139	65
452 8th Ave SW	0.65mi	3/1.0 (+1)	975 (+0%)	1mo	$82,950	$85	64
1703 14th Ave SW	0.68mi	3/1.0 (+1)	1,008 (+4%)	2mo	$175,000	$174	56
1722 B Ave NW	0.44mi	2/1.0	840 (-14%)	2mo	$127,500	$152	55
1905 Williams Blvd Blvd SW	0.60mi	3/2.0 (+1)	1,020 (+5%)	1mo	$176,000	$173	54
1206 18th St SW	0.67mi	3/1.0 (+1)	920 (-5%)	6mo	$165,000	$179	50
1914 1st Ave NW	0.60mi	3/1.5 (+1)	1,070 (+10%)	1mo	$158,000	$148	47
1909 Williams Blvd SW	0.62mi	3/1.0 (+1)	1,072 (+10%)	3mo	$163,000	$152	47
816 9th St NW	0.61mi	2/2.0	1,099 (+13%)	3mo	$169,900	$155	43

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 · 8.0% rent growth · sell at horizon

5-year hold

• IRR: —
• Equity multiple: 7.55×
• Total profit: $54,894
• Equity at exit: $4,466

10-year hold

• IRR: —
• Equity multiple: 18.60×
• Total profit: $147,608
• Equity at exit: $2,590

Cash invested: $8,386 (down + closing). Projections, not guarantees.

Landlord ↔ Tenant lean methodology

• Overall (STATE): 83 Strongly Landlord-Friendly
• State Iowa: 83 Strongly Landlord-Friendly · R+6
• County: — inherits STATE
• City: — inherits STATE

3-day pay-or-quit; mostly landlord-friendly statewide.

Methodology + full state rankings →

ZIP-level market 52405

• Rents YoY: 12.4%
• Active inventory: 145
• Price-to-rent: 1.9×

Monthly cashflow live

• Estimated rent: $1,322 medium
• Mortgage (P&I): −$157
• Tax from tax record: −$47 /mo · $562/yr
• Insurance: −$12
• HOA: −$0
• Vacancy / Maint / Mgmt: −$278
• Net cashflow: $828

Break-even live

Break-even rent $274

Max offer price $29,950

Occupancy floor 32%

Sensitivity live

Price	-10% $845	-5% $836	+0% $828	+5% $820	+10% $811
Rent	-10% $724	-5% $776	+0% $828	+5% $880	+10% $932
Rate	-1.0pp $843	-0.5pp $836	base $828	+0.5pp $820	+1.0pp $812

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: $7,488
• Closing costs: $898
• Reserves months: —
• Total cash needed: —

Rent comps 4 comps

Address	Beds	Baths	Sqft	Rent	$/sqft	DOM	Units	Dist
417 9th St NW Cedar Rapids, IA	3.0	1.0	1061	$1,300	$1.23	44d	1	0.37mi
612 4th Ave SW Unit 612 Upper Cedar Rapids, IA	2.0	1.0	616	$2,000	$3.25	21d	1	0.50mi
400 2nd St SW Cedar Rapids, IA	1.0	1.0	615	$1,195	$1.94	21d	1	0.79mi
640 16th Ave SW Cedar Rapids, IA	1.0	1.0	595	$850	$1.43	44d	2	0.83mi

Listing history 4 events

1. 2026-02-17
   status Pending
2. 2026-02-11
   listed $29,950 Active
3. 2019-09-12
   soldstatus $5,000 138-char remark

   Show marketing remark (138 chars)

   Please note the home had a fire and is priced accordingly, it can be rebuilt and this is a chance to make the floor plan the way you want.

4. 2019-05-15
   listed $6,000 138-char remark

   Show marketing remark (138 chars)

   Please note the home had a fire and is priced accordingly, it can be rebuilt and this is a chance to make the floor plan the way you want.

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

Tax reassessment forecast IA · Partial reset (capped growth)

• Current annual tax: $562 · $47/mo
• Projected year-2 tax: $562 · $47/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 1/10 Low
• 🌡 Heat 3/10 Moderate 7 d/yr ≥103°F today · 15 d/yr by 30 yrs out
• 💨 Wind 2/10 Low
• 🫁 Air quality 2/10 Low 0 unhealthy d/yr today · 1 by 30 yrs out

Taxation est. · year 1

• Rental income: $15,864
• − Mortgage interest: −$1,678
• − Property taxes: −$562
• − Insurance: −$150
• − Repairs & maintenance: −$1,269
• − Management: −$1,269
• − Depreciation: −$871
• Taxable income: $10,065
• Est. tax owed @ 24.0%: −$2,416
• After-tax cash flow: $7,520/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: Cedar Rapids Community School District
• NCES district ID: 1906540
• Math proficiency: 50% ▼ -12.00%
• Reading proficiency: 59% ▼ -6.00%
• Median HH income: $53,568
• Composite: 46.82/100
• National rank: #2378
• State rank: #265 of 289 in IA

Livability — Cedar Rapids

• Score: 78/100
• State rank: #134
• US rank: #2474

Category grades

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

Schools grade is shown separately in the Schools card above.

Census & demographics

• Census place: Cedar Rapids, IA
• County: Linn County · 179,860 people
• City population: 137,154
• Metro: Cedar Rapids, IA
• Population (ZIP): 26,526
• Household income: $70,123
• Rent vs Own: 26.1% rent · 73.9% own
• Severe rent burden: 715.0

Population outlook (Linn County) Hauer SSP2

• Today (2025): 239,589 people
• By 2030: 248,587 · +3.8%
• By 2040: 264,817 · +10.5%
• By 2050: 278,685 · +16.3%
• By 2075: 311,754 · +30.1%
• By 2100: 336,773 · +40.6%

Race, ethnicity, and origin ACS 2023

• Neighborhood character: Predominantly White (79%)
• Race & ethnicity: White 79% Black 9% Two or more races 7% Hispanic / Latino 5% Asian 2%
• Common ancestry: Portuguese 4% Lithuanian 2% Iranian 1%
• Foreign-born: 6% · Canada, China
• Languages at home: 92% English-only · Spanish 3% French/Haitian/Cajun 1% Other Asian/Pacific 1%

Political lean MEDSL · Linn

• 2024 margin: Lean D (+9.9) · D 54.2% · R 44.3% · Other 1.4%
• 2008→2024 swing: -11.6pp toward R · 2008: 21.5pp · 2024: 9.9pp
• All cycles: 2024: D+9.9 2020: D+13.7 2016: D+9.0 2012: D+17.6 2008: D+21.5

Not yet ingested

• Civics: —

Market trends

• HPI YoY: ▼ -137.56%
• Current HPI: 201.6053
• Rent YoY: ▲ 12.37%
• Metro: Cedar Rapids, IA
• State GDP YoY: ▲ 2.48%
• F500 in state: 4

Industry mix (Fortune 500 HQ in IA)

Industry	F500 HQs	Revenue
▸Financial Services	1	$16B
▸Retail / Convenience	1	$15B

Price history

+399.2% since first listed

4 events — show timeline

• 2026-02-17 Pending — CRAAR, CDRMLS
• 2026-02-11 Listed $29,950 CRAAR, CDRMLS
• 2019-09-12 Sold (MLS) $5,000 CRAAR, CDRMLS
• 2019-05-15 Listed $6,000 CRAAR, CDRMLS

Property tax history

-7.9%/yr

Latest (2025): $562 · +1.8% YoY. Source: county tax records.