121 Houston Dr · Bessemer, AL 35020

$60,500

2 bd · 1.0 ba · 816 sqft · SingleFamily public records · 708 Days on market

Built 1950 8,276 sqft lot $74/sqft · 15% above area Est $53k · 15% over

---

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

Listing remarks MLS

Great start to your investment portfolio! This single family along with 4 others are available - turnkey rental properties, tenants in place and under management. Do not disturb tenants. Buyer to verify any and all information deemed necessary and important to buyer.

Key facts

• Tenants in place
• 8,276 sq ft lot
• Built 1950

Tags

• TURNKEY RENTAL PROPERTIES
• TENANTS IN PLACE

What this means for you Summary

Snapshot

• This is a 2-bed/1.0-bath single-family listed at $60k.

Deal economics

• At list price, monthly cash flow is $380 ($5k/yr) — positive.
• The deal already cash-flows at list — no discount required.
• Meets the 1% rule at list price ($1k rent vs $60k).
• Recommended offer: $53k (12.0% below list) — sets the bar for market timing.
• Cap rate 13.8% 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: schools D-, crime F, amenities 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.
• Market conditions: Rents falling (-3.1%/yr); 115 active listings in the ZIP; 14 comparable units currently listed for rent nearby; rentals lingering (median 45d on market — plan ~5-8 weeks vacancy on turnover, expect pricing pressure); 64% 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 34% 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 $418 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 $17k cash investment doubles in ~6 years — after that, you're playing with house money.

Negotiation context

• It's been on market 708 days — a 12% lower offer ($53k) is reasonable based on typical stale-listing flexibility.
• 3 sale attempts since 5y ago; this cycle's ask has dropped $8k (11%) from the opening price — seller is motivated, your offer sets the floor, not the list.

Risks & watch-outs

• Watch-outs: built in 1950 — expect roof / HVAC / electrical / plumbing capex.
• Climate carrying-cost: major wind risk, 27% chance of damaging wind over 30y; extreme-heat days projected 7→19/yr by 2055 (HVAC capex compounding) — expect insurance premiums to compound above CPI over the hold.

Recommended offer $53,240 (12.0% below list)

Questions for the listing agent

1. It's been on market 708 days. Have you received any prior offers? Is the seller open to a 12% concession, seller financing, or rate buy-down credit?
2. Built in 1950 — 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 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?
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: 1.68% ✓
• Cap rate: 13.84%
• Cash-on-cash: 26.95%
• DSCR: 2.20
• GRM: 5.0

CMA / ARV

• ARV (median comp): $52,626
• List price: $60,500
• Delta: 14.96%
• Verdict: OVERPRICED
• Comps: 20 within 1.0 mi

Show comp detail 2 sales within ~0.75 mi

Address	Dist	Beds/Ba	Sqft	Sold	Price	$/sf	Match
5111 N Short 6th St	0.54mi	2/1.0	864 (+6%)	14mo	$47,500	$55	53
5100 N Short 6th St	0.55mi	2/1.0	864 (+6%)	14mo	$45,000	$52	53

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: 17.4%
• Equity multiple: 1.68×
• Total profit: $11,475
• Equity at exit: $9,021

10-year hold

• IRR: 23.7%
• Equity multiple: 2.76×
• Total profit: $29,781
• Equity at exit: $5,231

Cash invested: $16,940 (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: 5.0×

Monthly cashflow live

• Estimated rent: $1,014 high
• Mortgage (P&I): −$317
• Tax from tax record: −$78 /mo · $936/yr
• Insurance: −$25
• HOA: −$0
• Vacancy / Maint / Mgmt: −$213
• Net cashflow: $380

Break-even live

Break-even rent $532

Max offer price $60,500

Occupancy floor 57%

Sensitivity live

Price	-10% $415	-5% $398	+0% $380	+5% $363	+10% $346
Rent	-10% $300	-5% $340	+0% $380	+5% $421	+10% $461
Rate	-1.0pp $411	-0.5pp $396	base $380	+0.5pp $365	+1.0pp $349

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: $15,125
• Closing costs: $1,815
• Reserves months: —
• Total cash needed: —

Rent comps 14 comps

Address	Beds	Baths	Sqft	Rent	$/sqft	DOM	Units	Dist
520 Brewer Dr Bessemer, AL	3.0	1.0	1040	$1,100	$1.06	4d	1	0.12mi
6001 Ivy St Birmingham, AL	3.0	1.0	906	$950	$1.05	44d	1	0.20mi
546 Selma Rd Bessemer, AL	3.0	1.0	888	$900	$1.01	44d	1	0.32mi
5107 5th St N Bessemer, AL	2.0	1.0	775	$950	$1.23	44d	1	0.55mi
5704 14th St S Bessemer, AL	2.0	2.0	1024	$850	$0.83	17d	1	0.72mi
5709 13th St S Bessemer, AL	3.0	1.0	1120	$1,200	$1.07	44d	1	0.81mi
5906 5th St S Bessemer, AL	2.0	1.0	916	$900	$0.98	24d	1	0.88mi
36 Wilkes Cir Birmingham, AL	2.0	1.0	762	$875	$1.15	44d	1	0.92mi
4506 Letson St Brighton, AL	3.0	2.0	1032	$1,200	$1.16	24d	1	1.04mi
5703 Avenue O Unit O Bessemer, AL	2.0	1.0	936	$800	$0.85	44d	1	1.07mi
3403 Arlington Ave Bessemer, AL	2.0	1.0	600	$900	$1.50	24d	1	1.18mi
605 10th Ave Birmingham, AL	3.0	1.0	1060	$850	$0.80	44d	1	1.34mi
3019 7th Ave N Bessemer, AL	3.0	1.0	1080	$1,050	$0.97	44d	1	1.41mi
925 Woodward Rd Birmingham, AL	2.0	2.0	1104	$950	$0.86	44d	1	1.43mi

Listing history 17 events

1. 2026-06-01
   days on market $60,500 Active 708 DOM
2. 2026-05-31
   days on market $60,500 Active 707 DOM
3. 2026-05-12
   price $60,500 268-char remark

   Show marketing remark (268 chars)

   Great start to your investment portfolio! This single family along with 4 others are available - turnkey rental properties, tenants in place and under management. Do not disturb tenants. Buyer to verify any and all information deemed necessary and important to buyer.

4. 2024-07-30
   price $65,500 268-char remark

   Show marketing remark (268 chars)

   Great start to your investment portfolio! This single family along with 4 others are available - turnkey rental properties, tenants in place and under management. Do not disturb tenants. Buyer to verify any and all information deemed necessary and important to buyer.

5. 2024-06-23
   listed $68,000 Active 268-char remark

   Show marketing remark (268 chars)

   Great start to your investment portfolio! This single family along with 4 others are available - turnkey rental properties, tenants in place and under management. Do not disturb tenants. Buyer to verify any and all information deemed necessary and important to buyer.

6. 2023-08-23
   price $64,750 570-char remark

   Show marketing remark (570 chars)

   Great Investment Property! 2 bed and 1 bath home. Tenant remains. Great paying tenant, been in property for a couple of years. Rented for $650.00 per month. Lease and rent roll attached or can email to you. Can be purchased separately or as a part of a 4 pack of properties in similar location. 4 home package. Sold with current tenants in place. Cannot be shown until under contract for inspection. Monthly Rents total - $2,495.00. Addresses are; 1) 3241 Hemlock, 2) 121 Houston, 3) 1003 7th st, 4) 5703 Avenue O. Rent Rolls are available. See Multifamily MLS 1351212

7. 2023-08-03
   soldstatus $195,000
8. 2023-08-02
   soldstatus $48,750 Sold 570-char remark

   Show marketing remark (570 chars)

   Great Investment Property! 2 bed and 1 bath home. Tenant remains. Great paying tenant, been in property for a couple of years. Rented for $650.00 per month. Lease and rent roll attached or can email to you. Can be purchased separately or as a part of a 4 pack of properties in similar location. 4 home package. Sold with current tenants in place. Cannot be shown until under contract for inspection. Monthly Rents total - $2,495.00. Addresses are; 1) 3241 Hemlock, 2) 121 Houston, 3) 1003 7th st, 4) 5703 Avenue O. Rent Rolls are available. See Multifamily MLS 1351212

9. 2023-08-01
   status Pending 570-char remark

   Show marketing remark (570 chars)

   Great Investment Property! 2 bed and 1 bath home. Tenant remains. Great paying tenant, been in property for a couple of years. Rented for $650.00 per month. Lease and rent roll attached or can email to you. Can be purchased separately or as a part of a 4 pack of properties in similar location. 4 home package. Sold with current tenants in place. Cannot be shown until under contract for inspection. Monthly Rents total - $2,495.00. Addresses are; 1) 3241 Hemlock, 2) 121 Houston, 3) 1003 7th st, 4) 5703 Avenue O. Rent Rolls are available. See Multifamily MLS 1351212

10. 2023-05-27
    price $208,900
11. 2023-04-05
    listed $64,900 Active 570-char remark

    Show marketing remark (570 chars)

    Great Investment Property! 2 bed and 1 bath home. Tenant remains. Great paying tenant, been in property for a couple of years. Rented for $650.00 per month. Lease and rent roll attached or can email to you. Can be purchased separately or as a part of a 4 pack of properties in similar location. 4 home package. Sold with current tenants in place. Cannot be shown until under contract for inspection. Monthly Rents total - $2,495.00. Addresses are; 1) 3241 Hemlock, 2) 121 Houston, 3) 1003 7th st, 4) 5703 Avenue O. Rent Rolls are available. See Multifamily MLS 1351212

12. 2023-03-03
    price $234,899
13. 2021-09-17
    soldstatus $33,000 Sold
14. 2021-08-18
    historical
15. 2021-08-06
    price $39,900
16. 2021-06-12
    listed $45,500 Active
17. 1995-03-01
    soldstatus $184,400

ⓘ 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: $936 · $78/mo
• Projected year-2 tax: $936 · $78/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 (shaded) · 0% chance over 30 yrs
• 🔥 Wildfire 3/10 Moderate
• 🌡 Heat 7/10 Severe 7 d/yr ≥107°F today · 19 d/yr by 30 yrs out
• 💨 Wind 6/10 Major 27% 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: $12,166
• − Mortgage interest: −$3,389
• − Property taxes: −$936
• − Insurance: −$302
• − Repairs & maintenance: −$973
• − Management: −$973
• − Depreciation: −$1,760
• Taxable income: $3,832
• Est. tax owed @ 24.0%: −$920
• After-tax cash flow: $3,646/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

-67.2% since first listed

15 events — show timeline

• 2026-05-12 Price Changed $60,500 Greater Alabama MLS
• 2024-07-30 Price Changed $65,500 Greater Alabama MLS
• 2024-06-23 Listed $68,000 Greater Alabama MLS
• 2023-08-23 Price Changed $64,750 Greater Alabama MLS
• 2023-08-03 Sold (Public Records) $195,000 Public Records
• 2023-08-02 Sold (MLS) $48,750 Greater Alabama MLS
• 2023-08-01 Pending — Greater Alabama MLS
• 2023-05-27 Price Changed $208,900 Greater Alabama MLS
• 2023-04-05 Listed $64,900 Greater Alabama MLS
• 2023-03-03 Price Changed $234,899 Greater Alabama MLS
• 2021-09-17 Sold (MLS) $33,000 Greater Alabama MLS
• 2021-08-18 Delisted — Greater Alabama MLS
• 2021-08-06 Price Changed $39,900 Greater Alabama MLS
• 2021-06-12 Listed $45,500 Greater Alabama MLS
• 1995-03-01 Sold (Public Records) $184,400 Public Records

Property tax history

+2.8%/yr

Latest (2025): $936 · +0.0% YoY. Source: county tax records.