334 Columbus Ave · Pittsfield, MA 01201

$158,000

3 bd · 1.5 ba · 3,450 sqft · SingleFamily · 94 Days on market

Built 1935 Poor condition $46/sqft · 63% below area

---

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
• DSCR +10.0/10.0
• 1% rule +9.2/10.0
• ARV discount +7.5/15.0
• Rent growth +4.4/5.0
• Livability +3.8/5.0
• Schools +2.3/10.0
• Condition / age +1.0/5.0
• Appreciation +0.0/10.0

Listing remarks MLS

A unique opportunity to own a work/live space. The building consists of an updated 3 bedroom house with kitchen, dining, and living room. The ''shop'' space has heat and a separate bathroom. It also boasts a detached two car garage with power. There are endless possibilities with this property. Bring your ideas and let them flow!

Key facts

• Separate bathroom
• Two car garage
• Updated house

Tags

• UPDATED HOUSE
• SEPARATE BATHROOM
• DETACHED GARAGE
• TWO CAR GARAGE

What this means for you Summary

Snapshot

• This is a 3-bed/1.5-bath single-family listed at $158k. Condition is rated poor.

Deal economics

• At list price, monthly cash flow is $685 ($8k/yr) — positive.
• The deal already cash-flows at list — no discount required.
• Meets the 1% rule at list price ($2k rent vs $158k).
• Recommended offer: $144k (9.0% below list) — sets the bar for market timing.
• Cap rate 11.5% vs local median 3.6% in Pittsfield — 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 75/100 on livability (#70 in MA, #3,820 nationally) — a middle-class / working-renter tenant base. Strengths: commute A+, housing A+, health & safety A+; Watch: employment C-, amenities D+, schools D.
• Pittsfield (urban): math 19% / reading 34% proficiency, ranked #272 of 302 in MA (top 90%) — low school quality limits family demand, transient renter base, plan for 1-2y turnover.
• Market conditions: Rents rising fast (+7.7%/yr); 275 active listings in the ZIP; 130 units permitted in Berkshire County in 2024 (10 in 5+ unit buildings).
• This rent runs 38% of the median local income ($71k/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 $1k of loan paydown is wiped out by about $5k of value loss. Plan a longer hold.
• Berkshire County population projected at -24% by 2050 — secular population decline; favor cash flow + early exit over multi-decade hold.
• At projected returns (-3.0% appreciation + 7.7% rent growth), your $44k cash investment doubles in ~6 years — after that, you're playing with house money.

Negotiation context

• It's been on market 94 days — a 9% lower offer ($144k) is reasonable based on typical stale-listing flexibility.
• 8 sale attempts since 5y 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 $56k; list at $158k implies a 183% gain — meaningful room to come down on a strong offer.

Risks & watch-outs

• Watch-outs: built in 1935 — expect roof / HVAC / electrical / plumbing capex.

Recommended offer $143,780 (9.0% below list)

Questions for the listing agent

1. It's been on market 94 days. Have you received any prior offers? Is the seller open to a 9% concession, seller financing, or rate buy-down credit?
2. Have any recent inspections been done? Can we get a copy of the seller's disclosures and any deferred-maintenance estimates?
3. Built in 1935 — when were the roof, HVAC, electrical panel, plumbing, and water heater last replaced?
4. Why hasn't it sold? Are there any deal-killer items the seller is aware of (foundation, flood, title, zoning, code violations)?
5. Is there a deadline driving the sale (1031 exchange, divorce, estate, relocation)? That informs how much negotiation room exists.
6. 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?
7. Crime grade is D 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?
8. 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.
9. 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.
10. 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: 1.42% ✓
• Cap rate: 11.50%
• Cash-on-cash: 18.59%
• DSCR: 1.83
• GRM: 5.9

CMA / ARV

• ARV (median comp): $421,977
• List price: $158,000
• Delta: -62.56%
• Verdict: UNDERPRICED
• Comps: 10 within 1.0 mi

Projected returns pro-forma

-3.0% appreciation · 7.72% rent growth · sell at horizon

5-year hold

• IRR: 15.6%
• Equity multiple: 1.66×
• Total profit: $29,266
• Equity at exit: $23,558

10-year hold

• IRR: 27.5%
• Equity multiple: 3.99×
• Total profit: $132,457
• Equity at exit: $13,661

Cash invested: $44,240 (down + closing). Projections, not guarantees.

Landlord ↔ Tenant lean methodology

• Overall (STATE): 20 Strongly Tenant-Friendly
• State Massachusetts: 20 Strongly Tenant-Friendly · D+15
• County: — inherits STATE
• City: — inherits STATE

Cambridge / Boston historically rent-controlled (preempted 1994 but consideration ongoing); strong tenant protections; court backlogs.

Methodology + full state rankings →

ZIP-level market 01201

• Rents YoY: 7.7%
• Active inventory: 275
• Price-to-rent: 5.9×

Monthly cashflow live

• Estimated rent: $2,250 medium
• Mortgage (P&I): −$829
• Tax est. 1.5%: −$198 /mo · $2,370/yr
• Insurance: −$66
• HOA: −$0
• Vacancy / Maint / Mgmt: −$472
• Net cashflow: $685

Break-even live

Break-even rent $1,382

Max offer price $158,000

Occupancy floor 65%

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: $39,500
• Closing costs: $4,740
• Reserves months: —
• Total cash needed: —

Listing history 31 events

1. 2026-06-19
   days on market $158,000 Active 94 DOM
2. 2026-06-18
   days on market $158,000 Active 93 DOM
3. 2026-06-17
   days on market $158,000 Active 92 DOM
4. 2026-06-16
   days on market $158,000 Active 91 DOM
5. 2026-06-15
   days on market $158,000 Active 90 DOM
6. 2026-06-14
   days on market $158,000 Active 88 DOM
7. 2026-06-12
   days on market $158,000 Active 87 DOM
8. 2026-06-09
   days on market $158,000 Active 84 DOM
9. 2026-06-08
   days on market $158,000 Active 83 DOM
10. 2026-06-07
    days on market $158,000 Active 82 DOM
11. 2026-06-05
    days on market $158,000 Active 79 DOM
12. 2026-06-02
    days on market $158,000 Active 77 DOM
13. 2026-06-01
    days on market $158,000 Active 76 DOM
14. 2026-05-31
    days on market $158,000 Active 75 DOM
15. 2026-05-30
    days on market $158,000 Active 74 DOM
16. 2026-03-16
    listed $158,000 New 331-char remark

    Show marketing remark (331 chars)

    A unique opportunity to own a work/live space. The building consists of an updated 3 bedroom house with kitchen, dining, and living room. The ''shop'' space has heat and a separate bathroom. It also boasts a detached two car garage with power. There are endless possibilities with this property. Bring your ideas and let them flow!

17. 2026-03-15
    listed $158,000 Active 791-char remark

    Show marketing remark (791 chars)

    A rare opportunity to own a versatile live/work property with incredible potential. The main residence features an updated 3-bedroom layout complete with a full kitchen, dining area, and comfortable living space--perfect for everyday living. Connected to the property is a heated ''shop'' space with its own separate bathroom, offering an ideal setup for a business, studio, workshop, or creative space. In addition, a detached two-car garage with electricity provides even more flexibility for storage, projects, or parking. Whether you're an entrepreneur, hobbyist, or investor, this property offers endless possibilities to customize and make it your own. Let your vision come to life! Financing must be cash or hard money. Zoning board needs to approve any use of the building.

18. 2025-11-18
    status Active
19. 2025-09-20
    status Pending
20. 2025-09-20
    historical
21. 2025-08-12
    listed $159,900 Active
22. 2025-02-01
    historical
23. 2025-01-08
    price $168,999
24. 2024-10-16
    listed $175,900 Active
25. 2024-02-14
    status Active
26. 2024-02-09
    status Pending
27. 2024-02-09
    historical
28. 2023-12-08
    price $199,900
29. 2023-10-09
    listed $225,000 Active
30. 2021-11-23
    soldstatus $55,900
31. 2021-08-30
    listed $79,900

ⓘ 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

• 🌡 Heat 2/10 Low
• 🫁 Air quality 2/10 Low 1 unhealthy d/yr today · 1 by 30 yrs out

Taxation est. · year 1

• Rental income: $26,994
• − Mortgage interest: −$8,850
• − Property taxes: −$2,370
• − Insurance: −$790
• − Repairs & maintenance: −$2,160
• − Management: −$2,160
• − Depreciation: −$4,596
• Taxable income: $6,069
• Est. tax owed @ 24.0%: −$1,456
• After-tax cash flow: $6,766/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.

Condition & rehab AI · 12 photos

Poor 20/100 Extensive rehab

This property requires extensive repairs and updates to bring it up to a livable condition. Significant structural and exterior work is needed to stabilize the foundation and repair the siding. Interior updates, including kitchen and bathroom renovations, will also greatly increase its value.

Repairs flagged

• Major Exterior siding — Significant damage and wear
• Major Foundation — Uneven and possibly damaged
• Major HVAC/mechanicals — No photos, but likely outdated and in need of repair
• Major Windows — Old and possibly not functioning
• Major Kitchen and bathrooms — No photos, but likely in need of significant updates

Value-add opportunities

• Both Exterior siding repair and replacement — Improves curb appeal and structural integrity
• Both Foundation repair — Stabilizes the structure and improves value
• Both HVAC/mechanical replacement — Improves comfort and energy efficiency
• Both Window replacement — Enhances energy efficiency and safety
• Both Kitchen and bathroom updates — Modernizes the living spaces and increases value

Renovation cost estimate screening

Repair item	Severity	Est. cost
Exterior siding · Significant damage and wear	Major	$15,000–50,000
Foundation · Uneven and possibly damaged	Major	$15,000–50,000
HVAC/mechanicals · No photos, but likely outdated and in need of repair	Major	$15,000–50,000
Windows · Old and possibly not functioning	Major	$15,000–50,000
Kitchen and bathrooms · No photos, but likely in need of significant updates	Major	$15,000–50,000
Total estimated repair cost · 5 items		$75,000–250,000

Value-add ROI direction

• Both Exterior siding repair and replacement — Improves curb appeal and structural integrity ↑
• Both Foundation repair — Stabilizes the structure and improves value ↑
• Both HVAC/mechanical replacement — Improves comfort and energy efficiency ↑
• Both Window replacement — Enhances energy efficiency and safety ↑
• Both Kitchen and bathroom updates — Modernizes the living spaces and increases value ↑

ⓘ Cost ranges are severity-bucket heuristics (US national rule-of-thumb). Get contractor quotes + a written scope before underwriting a rehab budget.

Schools (NCES district)

• District: Pittsfield
• NCES district ID: 2509630
• Math proficiency: 19% ▼ -10.00%
• Reading proficiency: 34% ▼ -2.00%
• Median HH income: $44,032
• Composite: 22.67/100
• National rank: #8046
• State rank: #272 of 302 in MA

Livability — Pittsfield

• Score: 75/100
• State rank: #70
• US rank: #3820

Category grades

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

Schools grade is shown separately in the Schools card above.

Census & demographics

• Census place: Pittsfield, MA
• County: Berkshire County · 44,848 people
• City population: 44,848
• Metro: Pittsfield, MA
• Population (ZIP): 44,848
• Household income: $71,093
• Rent vs Own: 36.5% rent · 63.5% own
• Severe rent burden: 1580.0

Population outlook (Berkshire County) Hauer SSP2

• Today (2025): 119,723 people
• By 2030: 114,608 · -4.3%
• By 2040: 102,806 · -14.1%
• By 2050: 91,305 · -23.7%
• By 2075: 71,517 · -40.3%
• By 2100: 57,988 · -51.6%

Race, ethnicity, and origin ACS 2023

• Neighborhood character: Predominantly White (78%)
• Race & ethnicity: White 78% Two or more races 10% Hispanic / Latino 9% Black 5% Asian 1%
• Hispanic origin (detail): Puerto Rican 3%
• Common ancestry: Lithuanian 8% Romanian 6% Slovak 2%
• Foreign-born: 7% · Canada, Jamaica
• Languages at home: 90% English-only · Spanish 6% Other Indo-European 1% Russian/Polish/Slavic 1%

Political lean MEDSL · Berkshire

• 2024 margin: Solid D (+39.9) · D 68.9% · R 29.0% · Other 2.1%
• 2008→2024 swing: -12.5pp toward R · 2008: 52.4pp · 2024: 39.9pp
• All cycles: 2024: D+39.9 2020: D+47.1 2016: D+41.5 2012: D+53.7 2008: D+52.4

Not yet ingested

• Civics: —

Market trends

• HPI YoY: ▼ -199.88%
• Current HPI: 283.3421
• Rent YoY: ▲ 7.72%
• Metro: Pittsfield, MA
• State GDP YoY: ▲ 2.28%
• F500 in state: 38

Industry mix (Fortune 500 HQ in MA)

Industry	F500 HQs	Revenue
▸Technology	3	$17B
▸Insurance	2	$84B
▸Retail	2	$76B
▸Life Sciences	1	$43B
▸Energy Technology	1	$31B
▸Aerospace / Defense	1	$18B

Price history

+97.7% since first listed

16 events — show timeline

• 2026-03-16 Listed $158,000 MLS PIN
• 2026-03-15 Listed $158,000 BCMLS
• 2025-11-18 Relisted — BCMLS
• 2025-09-20 Pending — BCMLS
• 2025-09-20 Listing Removed — BCMLS
• 2025-08-12 Listed $159,900 BCMLS
• 2025-02-01 Listing Removed — BCMLS
• 2025-01-08 Price Changed $168,999 BCMLS
• 2024-10-16 Listed $175,900 BCMLS
• 2024-02-14 Relisted — BCMLS
• 2024-02-09 Pending — BCMLS
• 2024-02-09 Listing Removed — BCMLS
• 2023-12-08 Price Changed $199,900 BCMLS
• 2023-10-09 Listed $225,000 BCMLS
• 2021-11-23 Sold (MLS) $55,900 BCMLS
• 2021-08-30 Listed $79,900 BCMLS