14221 S Emerald Ave · Riverdale, IL 60827

$125,000

2 bd · 1.0 ba · 1,008 sqft · SingleFamily public records · 111 Days on market

Built 1955 3,750 sqft lot Est $144k · 13% under

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Why this score? — see what drove the C+ 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 +23.7/30.0
• ARV discount +13.5/15.0
• DSCR +7.6/10.0
• 1% rule +6.1/10.0
• Rent growth +4.5/5.0
• Livability +3.5/5.0
• Condition / age +2.5/5.0
• Schools +0.7/10.0
• Appreciation +0.0/10.0

Listing remarks

This charming brick ranch has 2 bedrooms, 1.5 baths, and just over 1,000 sq ft of living space. You will walk into a spacious living room with a large front window that lets in natural light. It has an eat-in kitchen and a full basement offering endless potential for additional living space, storage, or recreation. Perfect for owner-occupants or investors. Currently tenant-occupied with a lease in place through 07/31/2026. Schedule your showing today!

Key facts

• 3,750 sq ft lot
• 2 garage spots
• Built 1955

Property features AI

Finance

• Other: Directions: Halsted to 142nd, east one block to Emerald
• HOA & community: No master association fee required

Exterior

• Parking: Detached garage (2 garage spaces, 2 total parking spaces)
• Utilities: Water source: Lake Michigan; Sewer: Storm sewer
• Home design: Detached single-family home; One-story; Fee simple ownership; Property currently being leased
• Construction: Brick construction; Built approximately 71–80 years ago; Built before 1978
• Exterior features: Lot dimensions approximately 25 x 125; Lot is less than 0.25 acre

Interior

• Kitchen: Kitchen with eating area/table space (15 x 12)
• Bedrooms: Master bedroom on main level (15 x 11); Two additional bedrooms (one on main level, 11 x 11; another listed as bedroom); Bedrooms possible: 2
• Flooring: Hardwood
• Bathrooms: 1 full bathroom; 1 half bathroom; Basement has bathroom access
• Heating & cooling: Natural gas forced-air heating; Central air conditioning
• Interior features: Finished daylight basement with exterior entry; 5 total rooms; Hardwood flooring
• Laundry & utility: Laundry room on lower level (20 x 20)

What this means for you Summary

Snapshot

• This is a 2-bed/1.0-bath single-family listed at $125k.

Deal economics

• At list price, monthly cash flow is $237 ($3k/yr) — positive.
• The deal already cash-flows at list — no discount required.
• Meets the 1% rule at list price ($1k rent vs $125k).
• Recommended offer: $114k (9.0% below list) — sets the bar for market timing.

Location & tenants

• Location reads 69/100 on livability (#434 in IL) — a middle-class / working-renter tenant base. Strengths: commute A+, cost of living A+, housing A-; Watch: health & safety C-, schools F, crime F.
• Thornton Twp Hsd 205 (suburban): math 7% / reading 8% proficiency, ranked #594 of 620 in IL (top 96%) — low school quality limits family demand, transient renter base, plan for 1-2y turnover.
• Market conditions: Rents rising fast (+7.8%/yr); 76 active listings in the ZIP; 10 comparable units currently listed for rent nearby; rentals at typical pace (median 25d on market — plan ~3-4 weeks tenant-placement turnaround); lower-income renter base — watch delinquency; 6,272 units permitted in Cook County in 2024 (4,658 in 5+ unit buildings).
• This rent runs 45% of the median local income ($37k/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 $864 of loan paydown is wiped out by about $4k of value loss. Plan a longer hold.
• At projected returns (-3.0% appreciation + 7.8% rent growth), your $35k cash investment doubles in ~8 years — after that, you're playing with house money.

Negotiation context

• It's been on market 111 days — a 9% lower offer ($114k) is reasonable based on typical stale-listing flexibility.
• 5 sale attempts since 8y 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 $38k; list at $125k implies a 229% gain — meaningful room to come down on a strong offer.

Risks & watch-outs

• Watch-outs: built in 1955 — expect roof / HVAC / electrical / plumbing capex.

Recommended offer $113,750 (9.0% below list)

Questions for the listing agent

1. It's been on market 111 days. Have you received any prior offers? Is the seller open to a 9% concession, seller financing, or rate buy-down credit?
2. Built in 1955 — when were the roof, HVAC, electrical panel, plumbing, and water heater last replaced?
3. Why hasn't it sold? Are there any deal-killer items the seller is aware of (foundation, flood, title, zoning, code violations)?
4. Is there a deadline driving the sale (1031 exchange, divorce, estate, relocation)? That informs how much negotiation room exists.
5. Schools are F-rated, which usually means shorter tenancies and higher turnover. Who's the typical renter profile here, and what's been the actual vacancy rate?
6. 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?
7. 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.
8. 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.
9. 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: 1.11% ✓
• Cap rate: 8.57%
• Cash-on-cash: 8.13%
• DSCR: 1.36
• GRM: 7.5

CMA / ARV

• ARV (on-the-fly): $144,144
• Comps found: 12

Show comp detail 12 sales within ~0.75 mi

Address	Dist	Beds/Ba	Sqft	Sold	Price	$/sf	Match
14528 S Eggleston Ave	0.53mi	2/1.0	968 (-4%)	5mo	$123,649	$128	64
14301 Parnell Ave	0.51mi	3/2.0 (+1)	1,008 (0%)	5mo	$217,000	$215	63
14414 Parnell Ave	0.32mi	2/1.0	891 (-12%)	5mo	$127,000	$143	62
14430 S Lowe Ave	0.29mi	2/1.5	1,128 (+12%)	4mo	$170,000	$151	61
14220 S Eggleston Ave	0.35mi	2/2.0	912 (-10%)	3mo	$138,000	$151	61
319 E 145th St	0.67mi	2/1.0	960 (-5%)	2mo	$49,900	$52	59
14514 S Parnell Ave	0.42mi	2/1.0	890 (-12%)	2mo	$123,000	$138	59
14455 Des Plaines St	0.66mi	3/1.0 (+1)	1,035 (+3%)	4mo	$155,000	$150	57
14322 S Wentworth Ave	0.67mi	2/1.0	1,078 (+7%)	5mo	$136,000	$126	53
14201 S Wentworth Ave	0.70mi	2/2.0	1,058 (+5%)	4mo	$72,000	$68	52
302 W 145th St	0.63mi	3/2.0 (+1)	1,087 (+8%)	1mo	$250,000	$230	48
14320 Parnell Ave	0.55mi	3/2.0 (+1)	912 (-10%)	5mo	$127,000	$139	45

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 · 7.82% rent growth · sell at horizon

5-year hold

• IRR: 1.4%
• Equity multiple: 1.06×
• Total profit: $1,958
• Equity at exit: $18,638

10-year hold

• IRR: 15.3%
• Equity multiple: 2.53×
• Total profit: $53,376
• Equity at exit: $10,808

Cash invested: $35,000 (down + closing). Projections, not guarantees.

Landlord ↔ Tenant lean methodology

• Overall (STATE): 43 Moderately Tenant-Leaning
• State Illinois: 43 Moderately Tenant-Leaning · D+7
• County: — inherits STATE
• City: — inherits STATE

Chicago RTLO is among the strongest tenant ordinances in the Midwest; downstate is more landlord-friendly.

Methodology + full state rankings →

ZIP-level market 60827

• Home prices YoY: -31.8%
• Rents YoY: 7.8%
• Active inventory: 76
• Price-to-rent: 7.5×

Monthly cashflow live

• Estimated rent: $1,394 high
• Mortgage (P&I): −$656
• Tax est. 1.5%: −$156 /mo · $1,875/yr
• Insurance: −$52
• HOA: −$0
• Vacancy / Maint / Mgmt: −$293
• Net cashflow: $237

Break-even live

Break-even rent $1,093

Max offer price $125,000

Occupancy floor 78%

Sensitivity live

Price	-10% $324	-5% $280	+0% $237	+5% $194	+10% $151
Rent	-10% $127	-5% $182	+0% $237	+5% $292	+10% $347
Rate	-1.0pp $300	-0.5pp $269	base $237	+0.5pp $205	+1.0pp $172

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: $31,250
• Closing costs: $3,750
• Reserves months: —
• Total cash needed: —

Rent comps 10 comps

Address	Beds	Baths	Sqft	Rent	$/sqft	DOM	Units	Dist
455 W 144th St Unit 2W Riverdale, IL	1.0	1.0	750	$1,150	$1.53	5d	1	0.38mi
14015 S Stewart Ave Unit 2W Riverdale, IL	2.0	1.0	800	$1,400	$1.75	25d	1	0.53mi
724 W 138th St Unit 3 Riverdale, IL	2.0	1.0	800	$1,250	$1.56	19d	1	0.57mi
14132 S Atlantic Ave Riverdale, IL	1.0	1.0	900	$1,150	$1.28	25d	1	0.60mi
14101 S Atlantic Ave Riverdale, IL	2.0	1.0	790	$1,140	$1.44	8d	1	0.65mi
13810 S La Salle St #1 Riverdale, IL	3.0	1.0	800	$1,550	$1.94	3d	1	0.91mi
13708 S Wentworth Ave Riverdale, IL	3.0	1.5	1500	$2,200	$1.47	22d	1	0.94mi
13604 S Wentworth Ave Riverdale, IL	3.0	1.0	1100	$1,200	$1.09	25d	1	1.04mi
14844 Wabash Ave Dolton, IL	3.0	1.5	1277	$2,320	$1.82	25d	1	1.25mi
14124 Manor Ave Dolton, IL	3.0	2.0	1440	$2,390	$1.66	25d	1	1.31mi

Listing history 24 events

1. 2026-06-18
   days on market $125,000 Active 111 DOM
2. 2026-06-17
   days on market $125,000 Active 110 DOM
3. 2026-06-16
   days on market $125,000 Active 109 DOM
4. 2026-06-15
   days on market $125,000 Active 108 DOM
5. 2026-06-13
   days on market $125,000 Active 106 DOM
6. 2026-06-13
   days on market $125,000 Active 105 DOM
7. 2026-06-09
   days on market $125,000 Active 102 DOM
8. 2026-06-08
   days on market $125,000 Active 101 DOM
9. 2026-06-07
   days on market $125,000 Active 100 DOM
10. 2026-06-04
    days on market $125,000 Active 97 DOM
11. 2026-06-03
    days on market $125,000 Active 96 DOM
12. 2026-06-02
    days on market $125,000 Active 95 DOM
13. 2026-06-01
    days on market $125,000 Active 94 DOM
14. 2026-05-31
    days on market $125,000 Active 93 DOM
15. 2026-02-27
    listed $125,000 Active
16. 2026-02-27
    historical
17. 2025-07-18
    listed Active
18. 2025-07-17
    historical
19. 2025-01-10
    listed Active
20. 2025-01-10
    historical
21. 2025-01-10
    listed Active
22. 2019-01-16
    soldstatus $38,000 Closed Sale
23. 2018-11-07
    historical Contingent
24. 2018-10-17
    listed $39,900 New

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

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 ≥101°F today · 15 d/yr by 30 yrs out
• 💨 Wind 2/10 Low
• 🫁 Air quality 4/10 Moderate 4 unhealthy d/yr today · 5 by 30 yrs out

Taxation est. · year 1

• Rental income: $16,724
• − Mortgage interest: −$7,002
• − Property taxes: −$1,875
• − Insurance: −$625
• − Repairs & maintenance: −$1,338
• − Management: −$1,338
• − Depreciation: −$3,636
• Taxable income: $910
• Est. tax owed @ 24.0%: −$218
• After-tax cash flow: $2,628/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: Thornton Twp Hsd 205
• NCES district ID: 1738970
• Math proficiency: 7% ▬ 0.00%
• Reading proficiency: 8% ▼ -2.00%
• Median HH income: $43,392
• Composite: 6.92/100
• National rank: #9976
• State rank: #594 of 620 in IL

Livability — Riverdale

• Score: 69/100
• State rank: #434
• US rank: #8867

Category grades

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

Schools grade is shown separately in the Schools card above.

Census & demographics

• Census place: Riverdale, IL
• County: Cook County · 4,486,803 people
• City population: 24,713
• Metro: Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI
• Population (ZIP): 24,713
• Household income: $37,217
• Rent vs Own: 59.8% rent · 40.2% own
• Severe rent burden: 1868.0

Population outlook (Cook County) Hauer SSP2

• Today (2025): 5,347,519 people
• By 2030: 5,357,703 · +0.2%
• By 2040: 5,324,924 · -0.4%
• By 2050: 5,230,762 · -2.2%
• By 2075: 4,785,735 · -10.5%
• By 2100: 4,188,836 · -21.7%

Race, ethnicity, and origin ACS 2023

• Neighborhood character: Predominantly Black (88%)
• Race & ethnicity: Black 88% Two or more races 5% Hispanic / Latino 5% White 2%
• Common ancestry: Iranian 1%
• Foreign-born: 2% · Canada
• Languages at home: 96% English-only · Spanish 3%

Political lean MEDSL · Cook

• 2024 margin: Solid D (+42.0) · D 70.4% · R 28.4% · Other 1.2%
• 2008→2024 swing: -11.4pp toward R · 2008: 53.4pp · 2024: 42.0pp
• All cycles: 2024: D+42.0 2020: D+50.3 2016: D+53.0 2012: D+49.4 2008: D+53.4

Not yet ingested

• Civics: —

Market trends

• HPI YoY: ▼ -76.39%
• Current HPI: 163.7725
• Rent YoY: ▲ 7.82%
• Metro: Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI
• State GDP YoY: ▲ 1.59%
• F500 in state: 60

Industry mix (Fortune 500 HQ in IL)

Industry	F500 HQs	Revenue
▸Insurance	4	$201B
▸Consumer Goods	4	$87B
▸Industrial Machinery	3	$64B
▸Healthcare	2	$55B
▸Retail / Pharmacy	1	$148B
▸Agriculture / Food	1	$86B

Price history

+213.3% since first listed

10 events — show timeline

• 2026-02-27 Listing Removed — MRED as Distributed by MLS Grid
• 2026-02-27 Listed $125,000 MRED as Distributed by MLS Grid
• 2025-07-18 Listed — MRED as Distributed by MLS Grid
• 2025-07-17 Listing Removed — MRED as Distributed by MLS Grid
• 2025-01-10 Listed — MRED as Distributed by MLS Grid
• 2025-01-10 Listing Removed — MRED as Distributed by MLS Grid
• 2025-01-10 Listed — MRED as Distributed by MLS Grid
• 2019-01-16 Sold (MLS) $38,000 MRED as Distributed by MLS Grid
• 2018-11-07 Contingent — MRED as Distributed by MLS Grid
• 2018-10-17 Listed $39,900 MRED as Distributed by MLS Grid

Property tax history

+26.5%/yr

Latest (2023): $7,012 · +16.3% YoY. Source: county tax records.