459-461 Armory St

Springfield, MA 01104

$395,000B

9 bd · 3.0 ba · 3,075 sqft · Built 1898 · MultiFamily · Active · 17 DOM

Cashflow @ list (25.0% down · 7.5%)

• Estimated rent: $5,445/mo
• Mortgage (P&I): −$2,071
• Tax + insurance: −$658
• HOA: −$0
• Vac / Maint / Mgmt: −$1,143
• Net cashflow: $1,572/mo
• Annual: $18,862/yr
• Cap rate: 11.07%
• Cash-on-cash: 17.05%
• DSCR: 1.76
• 1% rule: 1.38%
• Cash to close: $110,600

Investor read

• This is a 3 × 3-bed/?-bath units multifamily listed at $395k. Condition is rated fair.
• At list price, monthly cash flow is $2k ($19k/yr) — positive. Per door: $524/mo.
• The deal already cash-flows at list — no discount required.
• Meets the 1% rule at list price ($5k rent vs $395k).
• It's been on market 17 days — a 2% lower offer ($389k) is reasonable based on typical stale-listing flexibility.
• Recommended offer: $389k (1.5% below list) — sets the bar for market timing.
• Local home prices are declining (-3.0%/yr); year-one equity from $3k of loan paydown is wiped out by about $12k 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: Edward P. Boland School (math 8% / reading 17%, grade F, #893 of 938 statewide, top 96%, 551 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.
• Watch-outs: built in 1898 — expect roof / HVAC / electrical / plumbing capex.
• Market conditions: 27 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 6y 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 $175k; list at $395k implies a 126% gain — meaningful room to come down on a strong offer.
• At projected returns (-3.0% appreciation + 3.0% rent growth), your $111k cash investment doubles in ~8 years — after that, you're playing with house money.
• Climate carrying-cost: moderate wind risk, 26% chance of damaging wind over 30y; extreme-heat days projected 7→16/yr by 2055 (HVAC capex compounding) — expect insurance premiums to compound above CPI over the hold.
• Cap rate 11.1% 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.

Questions for listing agent

• Can we see the unit-by-unit rent roll, current vacancy, and any below-market leases? What's the average tenancy length?
• What capital expenditures (roof, boiler, parking lot, exteriors) have been made in the last 5 years, and what's planned in the next 2?
• Have any recent inspections been done? Can we get a copy of the seller's disclosures and any deferred-maintenance estimates?
• Built in 1898 — when were the roof, HVAC, electrical panel, plumbing, and water heater last replaced?
• 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?
• 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.

Repairs flagged (vision-AI assessment)

• Minor: Kitchen organization — Cluttered countertops and shelves indicate disorganization.
• Minor: Bathroom organization — Disorganized sink and counter indicate need for cleaning and organization.
• Moderate: Flooring — Worn carpet in living room and bedrooms suggests need for replacement or cleaning.
• Moderate: Paint — Chipped and worn paint in some areas indicates need for touch-up or repainting.