40 Better Way

Springfield, MA 01109

$95,000B-

2 bd · 1.0 ba · 720 sqft · Built 1968 · Manufactured · Active · 170 DOM

Cashflow @ list (25.0% down · 7.5%)

• Estimated rent: $1,692/mo
• Mortgage (P&I): −$498
• Tax + insurance: −$158
• HOA: −$291
• Vac / Maint / Mgmt: −$355
• Net cashflow: $389/mo
• Annual: $4,670/yr
• Cap rate: 11.21%
• Cash-on-cash: 17.56%
• DSCR: 1.78
• 1% rule: 1.78%
• Cash to close: $26,600

Investor read

• This is a 2-bed/1.0-bath manufactured listed at $95k. Condition is rated fair.
• At list price, monthly cash flow is $389 ($5k/yr) — positive.
• The deal already cash-flows at list — no discount required.
• Meets the 1% rule at list price ($2k rent vs $95k).
• It's been on market 170 days — a 12% lower offer ($84k) is reasonable based on typical stale-listing flexibility.
• Recommended offer: $84k (12.0% below list) — sets the bar for market timing.
• Local home prices are declining (-3.0%/yr); year-one equity from $657 of loan paydown is wiped out by about $3k of value loss. Plan a longer hold.
• Location reads 73/100 on livability (#97 in MA) — a middle-class / working-renter tenant base. Strengths: commute A+, health & safety A+, amenities A; Watch: crime F, employment D-.
• Springfield (urban): math 13% / reading 25% proficiency, ranked #296 of 302 in MA (top 98%) — low school quality limits family demand, transient renter base, plan for 1-2y turnover; 81% free/reduced lunch — lower-income household profile, screen leases tightly.
• Zoned schools: Alfred G. Zanetti Montessori Magnet School (math 33% / reading 60%, grade D-, #405 of 938 statewide, top 44%, 434 students, 0% FRL); Stem Middle Academy (math 14% / reading 23%, grade F, #263 of 305 statewide, top 86%, 297 students, 0% FRL); Springfield Central High (math 27% / reading 41%, grade F, #250 of 343 statewide, top 73%, 2,095 students, 0% FRL) — zoned schools average 0% FRL vs 81% district-wide (81 pts lower); this property's tenant base skews higher-income than the district average.
• Zoned-school proficiency averages 33% at this address vs 19% district-wide (+14 pts) — the actual schools serving this property are materially stronger than the Springfield average implies; a family-tenant draw the district grade alone would hide.
• Market conditions: 38 active listings in the ZIP; 453 units permitted in Hampden County in 2024 (116 in 5+ unit buildings).
• Hampden County population projected at +5% by 2050 — modest demand growth; plan on rents tracking national, not racing it.
• 2 sale attempts since 31y ago; this cycle's ask has dropped $10k (10%) from the opening price — seller is motivated, your offer sets the floor, not the list.
• Current owner paid $27k; list at $95k implies a 252% gain — meaningful room to come down on a strong offer.
• At projected returns (-3.0% appreciation + 3.0% rent growth), your $27k cash investment doubles in ~7 years — after that, you're playing with house money.
• Cap rate 11.2% vs local median 4.9% in Springfield — 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.
• This rent runs 42% of the median local income ($48k/yr) — at the standard rent-burdened threshold; future hikes will face affordability resistance.

Questions for listing agent

• It's been on market 170 days. Have you received any prior offers? Is the seller open to a 12% concession, seller financing, or rate buy-down credit?
• Have any recent inspections been done? Can we get a copy of the seller's disclosures and any deferred-maintenance estimates?
• Built in 1968 — when were the roof, HVAC, electrical panel, plumbing, and water heater last replaced?
• What does the HOA fee cover, when was the last increase, and are there any pending special assessments or reserve-fund shortfalls?
• Why hasn't it sold? Are there any deal-killer items the seller is aware of (foundation, flood, title, zoning, code violations)?
• Is there a deadline driving the sale (1031 exchange, divorce, estate, relocation)? That informs how much negotiation room exists.
• 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?
• 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?

Repairs flagged (vision-AI assessment)

• Major: kitchen cabinets — dated and in need of replacement
• Major: bathroom cabinets — dated and in need of replacement
• Major: kitchen appliances — outdated and in need of replacement