1209 Jefferson Ave · Kalamazoo, MI 49006

$170,000

6 bd · 2.0 ba · 1,885 sqft · SingleFamily public records · 115 Days on market

Built 1875 3,485 sqft lot Est $192k · 12% 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 +21.0/30.0
• ARV discount +12.7/15.0
• DSCR +6.7/10.0
• 1% rule +6.2/10.0
• Schools +4.7/10.0
• Livability +3.8/5.0
• Rent growth +3.3/5.0
• Condition / age +2.5/5.0
• Appreciation +0.0/10.0

Listing remarks MLS

Excellent addition to any rental portfolio! This duplex is ideally located near downtown and has large units with great character and charm. The lower unit is bedrooms and one bathroom and has access to the basement for additional storage along with washer and dryer. The upper unit has 3 bedrooms, one bathroom, and a bonus space in the attic. This duplex is currently bringing in $1,995 a month in rent offering day one returns. Do not miss out on this deal!

Key facts

• 3,485 sq ft lot
• 2 parking spots
• Built 1875

Property features AI

Exterior

• Parking: 2 unpaved parking spaces
• Utilities: Public water; Public sewer; Electricity connected; Natural gas connected; Cable connected; Sewer available
• Home design: Residential income property (multi-family)
• Construction: Wood siding; Composition roof
• Exterior features: Publicly maintained road access; Lot approximately 60 x 59 (0.08 acres)

Interior

• Heating & cooling: Forced air heating; Natural gas heating
• Interior features: Basement present
• Laundry & utility: Shared laundry in common area; Laundry located in basement

What this means for you Summary

Snapshot

• This is a 6-bed/2.0-bath single-family listed at $170k.

Deal economics

• At list price, monthly cash flow is $239 ($3k/yr) — positive.
• The deal already cash-flows at list — no discount required.
• Meets the 1% rule at list price ($2k rent vs $170k).
• Recommended offer: $155k (9.0% below list) — sets the bar for market timing.
• Cap rate 8.0% vs local median 4.1% in Kalamazoo — 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 76/100 on livability (#141 in MI, #3,492 nationally) — a middle-class / working-renter tenant base. Strengths: commute A+, cost of living A+, housing A+; Watch: crime F, employment D-.
• Kalamazoo Public Schools (urban): math 43% / reading 72% proficiency, ranked #71 of 540 in MI (top 13%) — acceptable for families but not a draw, mixed tenant base, ~2y average lease; 66% free/reduced lunch — lower-income household profile, screen leases tightly.
• Market conditions: Rents rising (+3.4%/yr); 105 active listings in the ZIP; lower-income renter base — watch delinquency; 339 units permitted in Kalamazoo County in 2024 (22 in 5+ unit buildings).
• At $1,910/mo this rent would consume 53% of the median local household income ($44k/yr) (locally 2581% of renters already pay >50% of income on rent) — very limited rent-growth headroom before tenants either downsize or default.

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.
• Kalamazoo County population projected at +18% by 2050 — long-run rental-demand tailwind backs the buy-and-hold thesis.

Negotiation context

• It's been on market 115 days — a 9% lower offer ($155k) is reasonable based on typical stale-listing flexibility.
• 4 sale attempts since 35y 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 $50k; list at $170k implies a 240% gain — meaningful room to come down on a strong offer.

Risks & watch-outs

• Watch-outs: built in 1875 — expect roof / HVAC / electrical / plumbing capex.

Recommended offer $154,700 (9.0% below list)

Questions for the listing agent

1. It's been on market 115 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 1875 — 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. 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?
6. 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.
7. 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.
8. 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: 1.12% ✓
• Cap rate: 7.98%
• Cash-on-cash: 6.03%
• DSCR: 1.27
• GRM: 7.4

CMA / ARV

• ARV (on-the-fly): $192,270
• Comps found: 6

Show comp detail 6 sales within ~0.75 mi

Address	Dist	Beds/Ba	Sqft	Sold	Price	$/sf	Match
1338 Summit Ave	0.27mi	5/2.0 (-1)	1,859 (-1%)	8mo	$199,900	$108	73
1121 Douglas Ave	0.41mi	5/2.0 (-1)	1,992 (+6%)	8mo	$105,000	$53	60
629 Jefferson Pl	0.12mi	5/2.0 (-1)	1,620 (-14%)	8mo	$165,000	$102	59
725 Academy St	0.55mi	5/2.0 (-1)	2,009 (+7%)	9mo	$246,650	$123	51
424 Oak St	0.70mi	5/2.0 (-1)	1,706 (-10%)	2mo	$160,000	$94	45
414 Davis St	0.60mi	5/1.5 (-1)	1,724 (-8%)	12mo	$164,000	$95	41

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 · 3.39% rent growth · sell at horizon

5-year hold

• IRR: -6.5%
• Equity multiple: 0.76×
• Total profit: $-11,479
• Equity at exit: $25,348

10-year hold

• IRR: 3.7%
• Equity multiple: 1.27×
• Total profit: $13,079
• Equity at exit: $14,698

Cash invested: $47,600 (down + closing). Projections, not guarantees.

Landlord ↔ Tenant lean methodology

• Overall (STATE): 62 Landlord-Friendly
• State Michigan: 62 Landlord-Friendly · EVEN
• County: — inherits STATE
• City: — inherits STATE

7-day pay-or-quit; mixed climate; Detroit/AA have some protections.

Methodology + full state rankings →

ZIP-level market 49006

• Rents YoY: 3.4%
• Active inventory: 105
• Price-to-rent: 7.4×

Monthly cashflow live

• Estimated rent: $1,910 medium
• Mortgage (P&I): −$891
• Tax from tax record: −$307 /mo · $3,689/yr
• Insurance: −$71
• HOA: −$0
• Vacancy / Maint / Mgmt: −$401
• Net cashflow: $239

Break-even live

Break-even rent $1,607

Max offer price $170,000

Occupancy floor 82%

Sensitivity live

Price	-10% $335	-5% $287	+0% $239	+5% $191	+10% $143
Rent	-10% $88	-5% $164	+0% $239	+5% $315	+10% $390
Rate	-1.0pp $325	-0.5pp $282	base $239	+0.5pp $195	+1.0pp $150

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: $42,500
• Closing costs: $5,100
• Reserves months: —
• Total cash needed: —

Listing history 11 events

1. 2026-05-21
   status Pending 460-char remark

   Show marketing remark (460 chars)

   Excellent addition to any rental portfolio! This duplex is ideally located near downtown and has large units with great character and charm. The lower unit is bedrooms and one bathroom and has access to the basement for additional storage along with washer and dryer. The upper unit has 3 bedrooms, one bathroom, and a bonus space in the attic. This duplex is currently bringing in $1,995 a month in rent offering day one returns. Do not miss out on this deal!

2. 2026-05-21
   status Pending

   Show marketing remark (460 chars)

   Excellent addition to any rental portfolio! This duplex is ideally located near downtown and has large units with great character and charm. The lower unit is bedrooms and one bathroom and has access to the basement for additional storage along with washer and dryer. The upper unit has 3 bedrooms, one bathroom, and a bonus space in the attic. This duplex is currently bringing in $1,995 a month in rent offering day one returns. Do not miss out on this deal!

3. 2026-02-28
   price $170,000 460-char remark

   Show marketing remark (460 chars)

   Excellent addition to any rental portfolio! This duplex is ideally located near downtown and has large units with great character and charm. The lower unit is bedrooms and one bathroom and has access to the basement for additional storage along with washer and dryer. The upper unit has 3 bedrooms, one bathroom, and a bonus space in the attic. This duplex is currently bringing in $1,995 a month in rent offering day one returns. Do not miss out on this deal!

4. 2026-02-27
   price $170,000
5. 2026-01-26
   listed $175,000 Active

   Show marketing remark (460 chars)

   Excellent addition to any rental portfolio! This duplex is ideally located near downtown and has large units with great character and charm. The lower unit is bedrooms and one bathroom and has access to the basement for additional storage along with washer and dryer. The upper unit has 3 bedrooms, one bathroom, and a bonus space in the attic. This duplex is currently bringing in $1,995 a month in rent offering day one returns. Do not miss out on this deal!

6. 2026-01-26
   listed $175,000 Active 460-char remark

   Show marketing remark (460 chars)

   Excellent addition to any rental portfolio! This duplex is ideally located near downtown and has large units with great character and charm. The lower unit is bedrooms and one bathroom and has access to the basement for additional storage along with washer and dryer. The upper unit has 3 bedrooms, one bathroom, and a bonus space in the attic. This duplex is currently bringing in $1,995 a month in rent offering day one returns. Do not miss out on this deal!

7. 2021-11-04
   soldstatus $50,000
8. 2014-10-17
   historical
9. 1999-09-07
   soldstatus $48,000
10. 1999-05-27
    listed $52,000
11. 1991-11-01
    listed $48,900

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

Tax reassessment forecast MI · Partial reset (capped growth)

• Current annual tax: $3,689 · $307/mo
• Projected year-2 tax: $3,689 · $307/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 (unshaded) · 0% chance over 30 yrs
• 🔥 Wildfire 1/10 Low
• 🌡 Heat 2/10 Low 7 d/yr ≥100°F today · 16 d/yr by 30 yrs out
• 💨 Wind 2/10 Low
• 🫁 Air quality 2/10 Low 1 unhealthy d/yr today · 2 by 30 yrs out

Taxation est. · year 1

• Rental income: $22,920
• − Mortgage interest: −$9,523
• − Property taxes: −$3,689
• − Insurance: −$850
• − Repairs & maintenance: −$1,834
• − Management: −$1,834
• − Depreciation: −$4,945
• Taxable income: $245
• Est. tax owed @ 24.0%: −$59
• After-tax cash flow: $2,810/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: Kalamazoo Public Schools
• NCES district ID: 2619950
• Math proficiency: 43% ▲ 13.00%
• Reading proficiency: 72% ▲ 33.00%
• Median HH income: $35,291
• Composite: 47.48/100
• National rank: #2275
• State rank: #71 of 540 in MI

Livability — Kalamazoo

• Score: 76/100
• State rank: #141
• US rank: #3492

Category grades

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

Schools grade is shown separately in the Schools card above.

Census & demographics

• Census place: Kalamazoo, MI
• County: Kalamazoo County · 224,317 people
• City population: 121,397
• Metro: Kalamazoo-Portage, MI
• Population (ZIP): 26,507
• Household income: $43,639
• Rent vs Own: 65.0% rent · 35.0% own
• Severe rent burden: 2581.0

Population outlook (Kalamazoo County) Hauer SSP2

• Today (2025): 280,982 people
• By 2030: 292,068 · +3.9%
• By 2040: 312,191 · +11.1%
• By 2050: 331,196 · +17.9%
• By 2075: 379,021 · +34.9%
• By 2100: 396,579 · +41.1%

Race, ethnicity, and origin ACS 2023

• Neighborhood character: Diverse neighborhood (Simpson 0.55)
• Race & ethnicity: White 65% Black 14% Two or more races 10% Hispanic / Latino 9% Asian 4%
• Hispanic origin (detail): Mexican 6%
• Common ancestry: Iranian 6% Romanian 4% Italian 3%
• Foreign-born: 9% · Canada, South Korea, China
• Languages at home: 89% English-only · Spanish 5% Other Indo-European 2% French/Haitian/Cajun 2%

Political lean MEDSL · Kalamazoo

• 2024 margin: D (+17.7) · D 58.0% · R 40.3% · Other 1.7%
• 2008→2024 swing: -1.8pp toward R · 2008: 19.5pp · 2024: 17.7pp
• All cycles: 2024: D+17.7 2020: D+18.7 2016: D+12.8 2012: D+13.3 2008: D+19.5

Not yet ingested

• Civics: —

Market trends

• HPI YoY: ▼ -235.52%
• Current HPI: 243.4367
• Rent YoY: ▲ 3.39%
• Metro: Kalamazoo-Portage, MI
• State GDP YoY: ▲ 1.37%
• F500 in state: 28

Industry mix (Fortune 500 HQ in MI)

Industry	F500 HQs	Revenue
▸Automotive Parts	3	$48B
▸Automotive	2	$372B
▸Chemicals	1	$45B
▸Automotive Retail	1	$29B
▸Healthcare / Medical Devices	1	$23B
▸Automotive Technology	1	$20B

Price history

+247.6% since first listed

11 events — show timeline

• 2026-05-21 Pending — MiRealSource-MiMLS
• 2026-05-21 Pending — REALCOMP
• 2026-02-28 Price Changed $170,000 MiRealSource-MiMLS
• 2026-02-27 Price Changed $170,000 REALCOMP
• 2026-01-26 Listed $175,000 REALCOMP
• 2026-01-26 Listed $175,000 MiRealSource-MiMLS
• 2021-11-04 Sold (Public Records) $50,000 Public Records
• 2014-10-17 Listing Removed — SW Michigan MLS
• 1999-09-07 Sold (MLS) $48,000 SW Michigan MLS
• 1999-05-27 Listed $52,000 SW Michigan MLS
• 1991-11-01 Listed $48,900 SW Michigan MLS

Property tax history

+15.2%/yr

Latest (2025): $3,689 · -3.3% YoY. Source: county tax records.