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314 W 4th St Duplex
B+ Composite 76.39
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
  • ARV discount +15.0/15.0
  • 1% rule +10.0/10.0
  • DSCR +10.0/10.0
  • Rent growth +4.6/5.0
  • Livability +3.2/5.0
  • Condition / age +2.5/5.0
  • Schools +1.1/10.0
  • Appreciation +0.0/10.0

$95,000

314 W 4th St · Alton, IL 62002
2 bd · 1.0 ba · 782 sqft · MultiFamily public records · 501 Days on market
Built 1891 4,818 sqft lot $121/sqft · 25% above area Est $139k · 31% under

🖨 Deal sheet (PDF) 📄 Offer letter ✓ Due diligence

Multi-family units

County records classify this as Multi-Family (2-4 Unit). Listing-text estimate: 2 units. confirmed

Listing remarks MLS

Investment opportunity duplex located in the heart of Christian Hill within walking distance of downtown Alton. Detached 1-car garage. Small courtyard in back, bordered on two sides with original stone walls. Roof and siding have been replaced. Newer water heaters, furnaces, 100 amp breaker boxes, and PexA plumbing. Two separate electric meters, one water meter. The upper unit features 1 bedrooom, 1 bathroom, washer/dryer hookups, front and back balconies, some hardwood flooring, fresh paint, and a year round river view. The main floor features 2 bedrooms, 1 bath, and washer/dryer hookups. Duplex is fully electric. March 2026 - Seller had sewer line cleaned and was provided with a good bill of health report.

Key facts

  • Newer water heaters
  • Original stone walls
  • Newer furnaces

Tags

DETACHED GARAGESMALL COURTYARDORIGINAL STONE WALLSNEWER WATER HEATERSNEWER FURNACES100 AMP BREAKER BOXES

Neighborhood map

Property Rental comp Retail Transit Schools Stadiums Fortune 500 · Circle radius: 3.0 mi
Loading POIs…

What this means for you Summary

Snapshot

  • This is a 2 × 1-bed/1.0-bath units multifamily listed at $95k.

Deal economics

  • At list price, monthly cash flow is $563 ($7k/yr) — positive. Per door: $281/mo.
  • The deal already cash-flows at list — no discount required.
  • Meets the 1% rule at list price ($2k rent vs $95k).
  • Recommended offer: $84k (12.0% below list) — sets the bar for market timing.
  • Cap rate 13.4% vs local median 6.4% in Alton — 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 64/100 on livability (#701 in IL) — a middle-class / working-renter tenant base. Strengths: cost of living A+, housing A; Watch: health & safety C-, crime F, amenities D-.
  • Alton CUSD 11 (suburban): math 12% / reading 13% proficiency, ranked #544 of 620 in IL (top 88%) — low school quality limits family demand, transient renter base, plan for 1-2y turnover; 60% free/reduced lunch — lower-income household profile, screen leases tightly.
  • Zoned schools: West Elementary School (math 7% / reading 9%, grade F, #1,621 of 2,056 statewide, top 79%, 400 students, 0% FRL); Alton Middle School (math 10% / reading 11%, grade F, #580 of 665 statewide, top 88%, 1,241 students, 0% FRL); Alton High School (math 20% / reading 25%, grade F, #317 of 693 statewide, top 46%, 1,990 students, 0% FRL) — zoned schools average 0% FRL vs 60% district-wide (60 pts lower); this property's tenant base skews higher-income than the district average.
  • Market conditions: Rents rising fast (+8.2%/yr); 169 active listings in the ZIP; 3 comparable units currently listed for rent nearby; rentals lingering (median 45d on market — plan ~5-8 weeks vacancy on turnover, expect pricing pressure); 100% of comp listings sitting > 30 days — soft ceiling on asking rent; 336 units permitted in Madison County in 2024 (0 in 5+ unit buildings).

Forward outlook

  • Local home prices are declining (-3.0%/yr); year-one equity from $657 of loan paydown is wiped out by about $3k of value loss. Plan a longer hold.
  • Madison County population projected at -18% by 2050 — secular population decline; favor cash flow + early exit over multi-decade hold.
  • At projected returns (-3.0% appreciation + 8.0% rent growth), your $27k cash investment doubles in ~5 years — after that, you're playing with house money.

Negotiation context

  • It's been on market 501 days — a 12% lower offer ($84k) is reasonable based on typical stale-listing flexibility.
  • 5 sale attempts; this cycle's ask has dropped $45k (32%) from the opening price — seller is motivated, your offer sets the floor, not the list.
  • Current owner paid $27k; list at $95k implies a 252% gain — meaningful room to come down on a strong offer.

Risks & watch-outs

  • Watch-outs: property tax is 2.7% of price; built in 1891 — expect roof / HVAC / electrical / plumbing capex.
  • Climate carrying-cost: extreme-heat days projected 7→21/yr by 2055 (HVAC capex compounding) — expect insurance premiums to compound above CPI over the hold.
Recommended offer $83,600 (12.0% below list)

Questions for the listing agent

  1. It's been on market 501 days. Have you received any prior offers? Is the seller open to a 12% concession, seller financing, or rate buy-down credit?
  2. Can we see the unit-by-unit rent roll, current vacancy, and any below-market leases? What's the average tenancy length?
  3. What capital expenditures (roof, boiler, parking lot, exteriors) have been made in the last 5 years, and what's planned in the next 2?
  4. Built in 1891 — when were the roof, HVAC, electrical panel, plumbing, and water heater last replaced?
  5. Property tax is high relative to price — has the assessment been appealed recently, and will the sale trigger a re-assessment?
  6. Why hasn't it sold? Are there any deal-killer items the seller is aware of (foundation, flood, title, zoning, code violations)?
  7. Is there a deadline driving the sale (1031 exchange, divorce, estate, relocation)? That informs how much negotiation room exists.
  8. 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?
  9. 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?
  10. 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.
  11. 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.
  12. How much new apartment / multifamily construction is in the pipeline within 1–3 miles? Heavy new supply (>2% of stock underway) typically softens rents 12–24 months out; light construction supports rent growth.

Investment metrics

1% rule
1.75%
Cap rate
13.40%
Cash-on-cash
25.39%
DSCR
2.13
GRM
4.8

CMA / ARV

ARV (median comp)
$138,652
List price
$95,000
Delta
-31.48%
Verdict
UNDERPRICED
Comps
7 within 1.0 mi

Projected returns pro-forma

-3.0% appreciation · 8.0% rent growth · sell at horizon

5-year hold
IRR
24.9%
Equity multiple
2.10×
Total profit
$29,314
Equity at exit
$14,165
10-year hold
IRR
35.9%
Equity multiple
5.21×
Total profit
$111,972
Equity at exit
$8,214

Cash invested: $26,600 (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.

ZIP-level market 62002

Home prices YoY
-33.6%
Rents YoY
8.2%
Active inventory
169
Price-to-rent
9.5×

Monthly cashflow live

Estimated rent
$1,661 medium interval (Pro) →
Mortgage (P&I)
$498
Tax from tax record
$212 /mo · $2,539/yr
Insurance
$40
HOA
$0
Vacancy / Maint / Mgmt
$349
Net cashflow
$563

Break-even live

Break-even rent $949
Max offer price $95,000
Occupancy floor 61%

Sensitivity live

Price -10% $617 -5% $590 +0% $563 +5% $536 +10% $509
Rent -10% $432 -5% $497 +0% $563 +5% $628 +10% $694
Rate -1.0pp $611 -0.5pp $587 base $563 +0.5pp $538 +1.0pp $513

2-unit breakdown (identical units grouped — click to expand)

UnitsBedsBathsEst. rent
Total (2 units) $1,661

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
$23,750
Closing costs
$2,850
Reserves months
Total cash needed

Loan-product check · same deal, 3 products live

Conventional

25% down · 7.5% · 30yr

Down + closing
Monthly P&I
Monthly cashflow
DSCR
Eligible?

Personal DTI + credit; lowest rate.

DSCR

20% down · 8.5% · 30yr

Down + closing
Monthly P&I
Monthly cashflow
DSCR
Eligible?

No personal income docs; deal must DSCR.

Hard money

10% down · 12.0% · 12mo

Down + closing
Monthly P&I
Monthly cashflow
DSCR
Eligible?

Short-term bridge; refi at stabilization.

Rent comps 3 comps

AddressBedsBaths SqftRent$/sqft DOM Units Dist
1128 W 9th St Alton, IL 1.0 1.0 815 $800 $0.98 45d 1 0.53mi
1110 George St Alton, IL 2.0 1.0 780 $1,019 $1.31 45d 1 0.62mi
504 Cherry St Alton, IL 2.0 1.0 1000 $895 $0.90 45d 1 1.09mi

Listing history 15 events

  1. 2026-06-02
    status $95,000 Pending 501 DOM
  2. 2026-06-01
    days on market $95,000 Active 501 DOM
  3. 2026-05-31
    days on market $95,000 Active 500 DOM
  4. 2026-03-31
    status Active 717-char remark
    Show marketing remark (717 chars)

    Investment opportunity duplex located in the heart of Christian Hill within walking distance of downtown Alton. Detached 1-car garage. Small courtyard in back, bordered on two sides with original stone walls. Roof and siding have been replaced. Newer water heaters, furnaces, 100 amp breaker boxes, and PexA plumbing. Two separate electric meters, one water meter. The upper unit features 1 bedrooom, 1 bathroom, washer/dryer hookups, front and back balconies, some hardwood flooring, fresh paint, and a year round river view. The main floor features 2 bedrooms, 1 bath, and washer/dryer hookups. Duplex is fully electric. March 2026 - Seller had sewer line cleaned and was provided with a good bill of health report.

  5. 2026-03-31
    price $95,000 717-char remark
    Show marketing remark (717 chars)

    Investment opportunity duplex located in the heart of Christian Hill within walking distance of downtown Alton. Detached 1-car garage. Small courtyard in back, bordered on two sides with original stone walls. Roof and siding have been replaced. Newer water heaters, furnaces, 100 amp breaker boxes, and PexA plumbing. Two separate electric meters, one water meter. The upper unit features 1 bedrooom, 1 bathroom, washer/dryer hookups, front and back balconies, some hardwood flooring, fresh paint, and a year round river view. The main floor features 2 bedrooms, 1 bath, and washer/dryer hookups. Duplex is fully electric. March 2026 - Seller had sewer line cleaned and was provided with a good bill of health report.

  6. 2026-02-22
    historical Active Under Contract 717-char remark
    Show marketing remark (717 chars)

    Investment opportunity duplex located in the heart of Christian Hill within walking distance of downtown Alton. Detached 1-car garage. Small courtyard in back, bordered on two sides with original stone walls. Roof and siding have been replaced. Newer water heaters, furnaces, 100 amp breaker boxes, and PexA plumbing. Two separate electric meters, one water meter. The upper unit features 1 bedrooom, 1 bathroom, washer/dryer hookups, front and back balconies, some hardwood flooring, fresh paint, and a year round river view. The main floor features 2 bedrooms, 1 bath, and washer/dryer hookups. Duplex is fully electric. March 2026 - Seller had sewer line cleaned and was provided with a good bill of health report.

  7. 2025-10-06
    status Active 717-char remark
    Show marketing remark (717 chars)

    Investment opportunity duplex located in the heart of Christian Hill within walking distance of downtown Alton. Detached 1-car garage. Small courtyard in back, bordered on two sides with original stone walls. Roof and siding have been replaced. Newer water heaters, furnaces, 100 amp breaker boxes, and PexA plumbing. Two separate electric meters, one water meter. The upper unit features 1 bedrooom, 1 bathroom, washer/dryer hookups, front and back balconies, some hardwood flooring, fresh paint, and a year round river view. The main floor features 2 bedrooms, 1 bath, and washer/dryer hookups. Duplex is fully electric. March 2026 - Seller had sewer line cleaned and was provided with a good bill of health report.

  8. 2025-08-26
    historical Active Under Contract 717-char remark
    Show marketing remark (717 chars)

    Investment opportunity duplex located in the heart of Christian Hill within walking distance of downtown Alton. Detached 1-car garage. Small courtyard in back, bordered on two sides with original stone walls. Roof and siding have been replaced. Newer water heaters, furnaces, 100 amp breaker boxes, and PexA plumbing. Two separate electric meters, one water meter. The upper unit features 1 bedrooom, 1 bathroom, washer/dryer hookups, front and back balconies, some hardwood flooring, fresh paint, and a year round river view. The main floor features 2 bedrooms, 1 bath, and washer/dryer hookups. Duplex is fully electric. March 2026 - Seller had sewer line cleaned and was provided with a good bill of health report.

  9. 2025-07-14
    status Active 717-char remark
    Show marketing remark (717 chars)

    Investment opportunity duplex located in the heart of Christian Hill within walking distance of downtown Alton. Detached 1-car garage. Small courtyard in back, bordered on two sides with original stone walls. Roof and siding have been replaced. Newer water heaters, furnaces, 100 amp breaker boxes, and PexA plumbing. Two separate electric meters, one water meter. The upper unit features 1 bedrooom, 1 bathroom, washer/dryer hookups, front and back balconies, some hardwood flooring, fresh paint, and a year round river view. The main floor features 2 bedrooms, 1 bath, and washer/dryer hookups. Duplex is fully electric. March 2026 - Seller had sewer line cleaned and was provided with a good bill of health report.

  10. 2025-06-30
    price $110,000 717-char remark
    Show marketing remark (717 chars)

    Investment opportunity duplex located in the heart of Christian Hill within walking distance of downtown Alton. Detached 1-car garage. Small courtyard in back, bordered on two sides with original stone walls. Roof and siding have been replaced. Newer water heaters, furnaces, 100 amp breaker boxes, and PexA plumbing. Two separate electric meters, one water meter. The upper unit features 1 bedrooom, 1 bathroom, washer/dryer hookups, front and back balconies, some hardwood flooring, fresh paint, and a year round river view. The main floor features 2 bedrooms, 1 bath, and washer/dryer hookups. Duplex is fully electric. March 2026 - Seller had sewer line cleaned and was provided with a good bill of health report.

  11. 2025-03-19
    status Active 717-char remark
    Show marketing remark (717 chars)

    Investment opportunity duplex located in the heart of Christian Hill within walking distance of downtown Alton. Detached 1-car garage. Small courtyard in back, bordered on two sides with original stone walls. Roof and siding have been replaced. Newer water heaters, furnaces, 100 amp breaker boxes, and PexA plumbing. Two separate electric meters, one water meter. The upper unit features 1 bedrooom, 1 bathroom, washer/dryer hookups, front and back balconies, some hardwood flooring, fresh paint, and a year round river view. The main floor features 2 bedrooms, 1 bath, and washer/dryer hookups. Duplex is fully electric. March 2026 - Seller had sewer line cleaned and was provided with a good bill of health report.

  12. 2025-03-17
    historical Active Under Contract 717-char remark
    Show marketing remark (717 chars)

    Investment opportunity duplex located in the heart of Christian Hill within walking distance of downtown Alton. Detached 1-car garage. Small courtyard in back, bordered on two sides with original stone walls. Roof and siding have been replaced. Newer water heaters, furnaces, 100 amp breaker boxes, and PexA plumbing. Two separate electric meters, one water meter. The upper unit features 1 bedrooom, 1 bathroom, washer/dryer hookups, front and back balconies, some hardwood flooring, fresh paint, and a year round river view. The main floor features 2 bedrooms, 1 bath, and washer/dryer hookups. Duplex is fully electric. March 2026 - Seller had sewer line cleaned and was provided with a good bill of health report.

  13. 2025-02-06
    price $120,000 717-char remark
    Show marketing remark (717 chars)

    Investment opportunity duplex located in the heart of Christian Hill within walking distance of downtown Alton. Detached 1-car garage. Small courtyard in back, bordered on two sides with original stone walls. Roof and siding have been replaced. Newer water heaters, furnaces, 100 amp breaker boxes, and PexA plumbing. Two separate electric meters, one water meter. The upper unit features 1 bedrooom, 1 bathroom, washer/dryer hookups, front and back balconies, some hardwood flooring, fresh paint, and a year round river view. The main floor features 2 bedrooms, 1 bath, and washer/dryer hookups. Duplex is fully electric. March 2026 - Seller had sewer line cleaned and was provided with a good bill of health report.

  14. 2025-01-02
    listed $139,900 Active 717-char remark
    Show marketing remark (717 chars)

    Investment opportunity duplex located in the heart of Christian Hill within walking distance of downtown Alton. Detached 1-car garage. Small courtyard in back, bordered on two sides with original stone walls. Roof and siding have been replaced. Newer water heaters, furnaces, 100 amp breaker boxes, and PexA plumbing. Two separate electric meters, one water meter. The upper unit features 1 bedrooom, 1 bathroom, washer/dryer hookups, front and back balconies, some hardwood flooring, fresh paint, and a year round river view. The main floor features 2 bedrooms, 1 bath, and washer/dryer hookups. Duplex is fully electric. March 2026 - Seller had sewer line cleaned and was provided with a good bill of health report.

  15. 1989-12-01
    soldstatus $27,000

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

Tax reassessment forecast IL · Partial reset (capped growth)

Current annual tax
$2,539 · $212/mo
Projected year-2 tax
$2,539 · $212/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 · 0% chance over 30 yrs
  • 🔥 Wildfire 1/10 Low
  • 🌡 Heat 5/10 Major 7 d/yr ≥107°F today · 21 d/yr by 30 yrs out
  • 💨 Wind 2/10 Low 100% chance of damaging wind over 30 yrs
  • 🫁 Air quality 3/10 Moderate 2 unhealthy d/yr today · 4 by 30 yrs out

Nearby sold comps map

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Walkable amenities ~0.75 mi

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Taxation est. · year 1

Rental income
$19,932
− Mortgage interest
−$5,321
− Property taxes
−$2,539
− Insurance
−$475
− Repairs & maintenance
−$1,595
− Management
−$1,595
− Depreciation
−$2,764
Taxable income
$5,644
combined federal + state — saved on this device
Est. tax owed @ 24.0%
−$1,355
After-tax cash flow
$5,400/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
Alton CUSD 11
NCES district ID
1703600
Math proficiency
12% ▼ -10.00%
Reading proficiency
13% ▼ -10.00%
Median HH income
$46,257
Composite
11.34/100
National rank
#9710
State rank
#544 of 620 in IL

Livability — Alton

Score
64/100
State rank
#701
US rank
#14289

Category grades

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

Schools grade is shown separately in the Schools card above.

Census & demographics

Census place
Alton, IL
County
Madison County · 189,064 people
City population
29,543
Metro
St. Louis, MO-IL
Population (ZIP)
29,543
Household income
$61,414
Rent vs Own
34.3% rent · 65.7% own
Severe rent burden
960.0

Population outlook (Madison County) Hauer SSP2

Today (2025)
258,371 people
By 2030
251,523 · -2.7%
By 2040
233,640 · -9.6%
By 2050
213,042 · -17.5%
By 2075
165,255 · -36.0%
By 2100
123,953 · -52.0%

Race, ethnicity, and origin ACS 2023

Neighborhood character
Predominantly White (71%)
Race & ethnicity
White 71% Black 20% Two or more races 6% Hispanic / Latino 2% Asian 1%
Common ancestry
Romanian 2% Lithuanian 2% Slovak 1%
Foreign-born
2% · Canada
Languages at home
97% English-only · Spanish 1% Other Indo-European 1%

Political lean MEDSL · Madison

2024 margin
R (+13.3) · D 42.5% · R 55.8% · Other 1.8%
2008→2024 swing
-22.5pp toward R · 2008: 9.2pp · 2024: -13.3pp
All cycles
2024: R+13.3 2020: R+13.2 2016: R+15.6 2012: R+1.4 2008: D+9.2

Not yet ingested

Civics

Market trends

HPI YoY
▼ -98.43%
Current HPI
194.7313
Rent YoY
▲ 8.24%
Metro
St. Louis, MO-IL
State GDP YoY
▲ 1.59%
F500 in state
60

Industry mix (Fortune 500 HQ in IL)

Industry F500 HQs Revenue

Price history

+251.9% since first listed
12 events — show timeline
  • 2026-03-31 Relisted MARIS as Distributed by MLS Grid
  • 2026-03-31 Price Changed $95,000 MARIS as Distributed by MLS Grid
  • 2026-02-22 Contingent MARIS as Distributed by MLS Grid
  • 2025-10-06 Relisted MARIS as Distributed by MLS Grid
  • 2025-08-26 Contingent MARIS as Distributed by MLS Grid
  • 2025-07-14 Relisted MARIS as Distributed by MLS Grid
  • 2025-06-30 Price Changed $110,000 MARIS as Distributed by MLS Grid
  • 2025-03-19 Relisted MARIS as Distributed by MLS Grid
  • 2025-03-17 Contingent MARIS as Distributed by MLS Grid
  • 2025-02-06 Price Changed $120,000 MARIS as Distributed by MLS Grid
  • 2025-01-02 Listed $139,900 MARIS as Distributed by MLS Grid
  • 1989-12-01 Sold (Public Records) $27,000 Public Records

Property tax history

+3.7%/yr

Latest (2024): $2,539 · +6.4% YoY. Source: county tax records.

Cash-flow waterfall

monthly

Sold comps — $/sqft

last 12 mo · ≤1 mi

Loading sold comps…