Duplex
314 W 4th St · Alton, IL
Flood risk 1/10 · Minimal
- FEMA flood zone
- X
- Chance of flooding over 30 yrs
- 0.0%
- Est. flood insurance / yr
- $507 – $1,088
Fire risk 1/10 · Minimal
- Est. fire insurance / yr
- $804 – $1,492
Heat risk 5/10 · Moderate
- Hot days now (above 107°F)
- 7 days/yr
- Hot days in 30 yrs
- 21 days/yr
Wind risk 2/10 · Minimal
- Chance of severe wind over 30 yrs
- 1.0%
Air-quality risk 3/10 · Minor
- Unhealthy air days now
- 2 days/yr
- Unhealthy air days in 30 yrs
- 4 days/yr
Risk factors via First Street. Map © Google.
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
🖨 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
Neighborhood map
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.
Questions for the listing agent
- 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?
- 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?
- Built in 1891 — when were the roof, HVAC, electrical panel, plumbing, and water heater last replaced?
- Property tax is high relative to price — has the assessment been appealed recently, and will the sale trigger a re-assessment?
- Why hasn't it sold? Are there any deal-killer items the seller is aware of (foundation, flood, title, zoning, code violations)?
- Is there a deadline driving the sale (1031 exchange, divorce, estate, relocation)? That informs how much negotiation room exists.
- 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?
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
- IRR
- 24.9%
- Equity multiple
- 2.10×
- Total profit
- $29,314
- Equity at exit
- $14,165
- 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
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
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)
| Units | Beds | Baths | Est. rent |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2× units | 1 | 1 | $1,662 |
| #1 | 1 | 1 | $831 |
| #2 | 1 | 1 | $831 |
| 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
| Address | Beds | Baths | Sqft | Rent | $/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
-
2026-06-02status $95,000 Pending 501 DOM
-
2026-06-01days on market $95,000 Active 501 DOM
-
2026-05-31days on market $95,000 Active 500 DOM
-
2026-03-31status 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.
-
2026-03-31price $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.
-
2026-02-22historical 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.
-
2025-10-06status 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.
-
2025-08-26historical 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.
-
2025-07-14status 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.
-
2025-06-30price $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.
-
2025-03-19status 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.
-
2025-03-17historical 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.
-
2025-02-06price $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.
-
2025-01-02$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.
-
1989-12-01soldstatus $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
Loading sold comps map…
Walkable amenities ~0.75 mi
Loading nearby amenities…
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
- 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
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
- 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Insurance | 4 | $201B |
|
||
| Consumer Goods | 4 | $87B |
|
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| Industrial Machinery | 3 | $64B |
|
||
| Healthcare | 2 | $55B |
|
||
| Retail / Pharmacy | 1 | $148B |
|
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| Agriculture / Food | 1 | $86B |
|
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Price history
+251.9% since first listed12 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%/yrLatest (2024): $2,539 · +6.4% YoY. Source: county tax records.
Cash-flow waterfall
monthlySold comps — $/sqft
last 12 mo · ≤1 miLoading sold comps…