937 Cortez Rd · Jefferson, PA 18436

$369,000

5 bd · 3.0 ba · 3,183 sqft · SingleFamily · 1 Days on market

Built 1960 2.06 ac lot $116/sqft · at area comps Est $373k · at est. ↓ 6% since listing

---

Why this score? — see what drove the D 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).

• Appreciation +10.0/10.0
• ARV discount +8.0/15.0
• Cash flow +7.1/30.0
• Schools +5.0/10.0
• Livability +3.2/5.0
• Rent growth +2.5/5.0
• Condition / age +2.5/5.0
• 1% rule +1.9/10.0
• DSCR +1.3/10.0

Listing remarks MLS

Discover this stunning 5-bedroom, 3-bath home in the heart of Jefferson Township, offering 3,190 sq ft of living space on a peaceful 2-acre setting. Classic charm meets modern updates, featuring large rooms, gleaming hardwood floors, and a striking floor-to-ceiling brick fireplace that serves as the home's centerpiece. The spacious kitchen and living areas flow seamlessly, perfect for everyday living or entertaining. Enjoy a resort-like backyard with an oversized in-ground swimming pool, a covered relaxation area, and plenty of space to take in the surrounding serenity. A spacious garage with a workshop area provides functionality. This exceptional property combines timeless style with today's comforts--an ideal retreat just minutes from local conveniences. Pool Not in working order

Key facts

• Large pole barn
• 2 acres
• 2.06 acre lot

Tags

• LARGE POLE BARN
• 2 ACRES

What this means for you Summary

Snapshot

• This is a 5-bed/3.0-bath single-family listed at $369k.

Deal economics

• At list price, monthly cash flow is $-528 ($-6k/yr) — negative.
• To cash-flow at today's rent, offer at most $293k (20.7% below list).
• To meet the 1% rule (rent ≥ 1% of price), the offer needs to be $256k (30.6% below list).
• Recommended offer: $256k (30.6% below list) — sets the bar for 1% rule.
• Cap rate 4.6% vs local median 2.1% in Jefferson — 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 63/100 on livability (#1,242 in PA) — a middle-class / working-renter tenant base. Strengths: cost of living A+, housing A+; Watch: schools D+, amenities F, commute F.
• North Pocono SD (rural): math 45% / reading 71% proficiency, ranked #82 of 539 in PA (top 15%) — acceptable for families but not a draw, mixed tenant base, ~2y average lease.
• Market conditions: 337 active listings in the ZIP; 251 units permitted in Lackawanna County in 2024 (0 in 5+ unit buildings).

Forward outlook

• In year one you build about $39k of equity ($3k loan paydown + $37k appreciation (10.0% local appreciation)).
• Lackawanna County population projected to shrink 4% by 2050 — rents likely to lag national; underwrite the cash flow, not the appreciation.
• By year 2, paydown + projected appreciation supports a ~$63k cash-out refi (75% LTV) — recoverable capital for the next deal without selling this one.

Negotiation context

• Only 1 days on market — expect competitive offers; lowballing is unlikely to land.
• 2 sale attempts; this cycle's ask has dropped $101k (21%) from the opening price — seller is motivated, your offer sets the floor, not the list.

Recommended offer $255,921 (30.6% below list)

Questions for the listing agent

1. What do current leases actually rent for vs. the listed asking? Can we see a recent rent roll and the last 12 months of T-12 income?
2. Built in 1960 — when were the roof, HVAC, electrical panel, plumbing, and water heater last replaced?
3. Is there a deadline driving the sale (1031 exchange, divorce, estate, relocation)? That informs how much negotiation room exists.
4. 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?
5. The area grade is low — what's the realistic commute time and amenity access for the typical tenant pool here? Any planned neighborhood developments (good or bad) we should know about?
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: 0.69% ✗
• Cap rate: 4.57%
• Cash-on-cash: -6.14%
• DSCR: 0.73
• GRM: 12.0

CMA / ARV

• ARV (median comp): $373,087
• List price: $369,000
• Delta: 17.91%
• Verdict: OVERPRICED
• Comps: 4 within 1.0 mi

Projected returns pro-forma

10.0% appreciation · 3.0% rent growth · sell at horizon

5-year hold

• IRR: 19.9%
• Equity multiple: 2.62×
• Total profit: $167,359
• Equity at exit: $332,424

10-year hold

• IRR: 18.3%
• Equity multiple: 6.03×
• Total profit: $519,380
• Equity at exit: $716,886

Cash invested: $103,320 (down + closing). Projections, not guarantees.

Landlord ↔ Tenant lean methodology

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

10-day notice; Philadelphia has eviction-court diversion + some protections; otherwise moderate.

Methodology + full state rankings →

ZIP-level market 18436

• Home prices YoY: 16.9%
• Active inventory: 337
• Price-to-rent: 12.0×

Monthly cashflow live

• Estimated rent: $2,559 medium
• Mortgage (P&I): −$1,935
• Tax est. 1.5%: −$461 /mo · $5,535/yr
• Insurance: −$154
• HOA: −$0
• Vacancy / Maint / Mgmt: −$537
• Net cashflow: $-528

Break-even live

Break-even rent $3,228

Max offer price $292,555

Occupancy floor —

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: $92,250
• Closing costs: $11,070
• Reserves months: —
• Total cash needed: —

Listing history 9 events

1. 2026-06-18
   pricedays on marketlisting id $369,000 Active 1 DOM
2. 2026-06-02
   days on market $439,900 Active 250 DOM
3. 2026-06-01
   days on market $439,900 Active 249 DOM
4. 2026-05-31
   days on market $439,900 Active 248 DOM
5. 2026-05-30
   days on market $439,900 Active 247 DOM
6. 2026-05-01
   status Active 793-char remark

   Show marketing remark (793 chars)

   Discover this stunning 5-bedroom, 3-bath home in the heart of Jefferson Township, offering 3,190 sq ft of living space on a peaceful 2-acre setting. Classic charm meets modern updates, featuring large rooms, gleaming hardwood floors, and a striking floor-to-ceiling brick fireplace that serves as the home's centerpiece. The spacious kitchen and living areas flow seamlessly, perfect for everyday living or entertaining. Enjoy a resort-like backyard with an oversized in-ground swimming pool, a covered relaxation area, and plenty of space to take in the surrounding serenity. A spacious garage with a workshop area provides functionality. This exceptional property combines timeless style with today's comforts--an ideal retreat just minutes from local conveniences. Pool Not in working order

7. 2026-04-09
   price $439,900 793-char remark

   Show marketing remark (793 chars)

   Discover this stunning 5-bedroom, 3-bath home in the heart of Jefferson Township, offering 3,190 sq ft of living space on a peaceful 2-acre setting. Classic charm meets modern updates, featuring large rooms, gleaming hardwood floors, and a striking floor-to-ceiling brick fireplace that serves as the home's centerpiece. The spacious kitchen and living areas flow seamlessly, perfect for everyday living or entertaining. Enjoy a resort-like backyard with an oversized in-ground swimming pool, a covered relaxation area, and plenty of space to take in the surrounding serenity. A spacious garage with a workshop area provides functionality. This exceptional property combines timeless style with today's comforts--an ideal retreat just minutes from local conveniences. Pool Not in working order

8. 2025-11-06
   price $450,000 793-char remark

   Show marketing remark (793 chars)

   Discover this stunning 5-bedroom, 3-bath home in the heart of Jefferson Township, offering 3,190 sq ft of living space on a peaceful 2-acre setting. Classic charm meets modern updates, featuring large rooms, gleaming hardwood floors, and a striking floor-to-ceiling brick fireplace that serves as the home's centerpiece. The spacious kitchen and living areas flow seamlessly, perfect for everyday living or entertaining. Enjoy a resort-like backyard with an oversized in-ground swimming pool, a covered relaxation area, and plenty of space to take in the surrounding serenity. A spacious garage with a workshop area provides functionality. This exceptional property combines timeless style with today's comforts--an ideal retreat just minutes from local conveniences. Pool Not in working order

9. 2025-09-24
   listed $469,900 Active 793-char remark

   Show marketing remark (793 chars)

   Discover this stunning 5-bedroom, 3-bath home in the heart of Jefferson Township, offering 3,190 sq ft of living space on a peaceful 2-acre setting. Classic charm meets modern updates, featuring large rooms, gleaming hardwood floors, and a striking floor-to-ceiling brick fireplace that serves as the home's centerpiece. The spacious kitchen and living areas flow seamlessly, perfect for everyday living or entertaining. Enjoy a resort-like backyard with an oversized in-ground swimming pool, a covered relaxation area, and plenty of space to take in the surrounding serenity. A spacious garage with a workshop area provides functionality. This exceptional property combines timeless style with today's comforts--an ideal retreat just minutes from local conveniences. Pool Not in working order

ⓘ 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

• 🌊 Flood 1/10 Low FEMA zone X (unshaded) · 0% chance over 30 yrs
• 🔥 Wildfire 2/10 Low
• 🌡 Heat 2/10 Low 7 d/yr ≥90°F today · 16 d/yr by 30 yrs out
• 💨 Wind 2/10 Low 3% chance of damaging wind over 30 yrs
• 🫁 Air quality 2/10 Low 1 unhealthy d/yr today · 2 by 30 yrs out

Taxation est. · year 1

• Rental income: $30,711
• − Mortgage interest: −$20,670
• − Property taxes: −$5,535
• − Insurance: −$1,845
• − Repairs & maintenance: −$2,457
• − Management: −$2,457
• − Depreciation: −$10,735
• Taxable loss: −$12,987
• Est. tax savings @ 24.0%: +$3,117
• After-tax cash flow: $-3,223/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: North Pocono SD
• NCES district ID: 4217310
• Math proficiency: 45% ▼ -9.00%
• Reading proficiency: 71% ▼ -2.00%
• Median HH income: $59,555
• Composite: 50.23/100
• National rank: #1894
• State rank: #82 of 539 in PA

Livability — Jefferson

• Score: 63/100
• State rank: #1242
• US rank: #14897

Category grades

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

Schools grade is shown separately in the Schools card above.

Census & demographics

• City population: 152
• Population (ZIP): 13,225

Population outlook (Lackawanna County) Hauer SSP2

• Today (2025): 210,652 people
• By 2030: 208,623 · -1.0%
• By 2040: 203,980 · -3.2%
• By 2050: 201,069 · -4.5%
• By 2075: 205,026 · -2.7%
• By 2100: 210,851 · +0.1%

Race, ethnicity, and origin ACS 2023

• Neighborhood character: Predominantly White (95%)
• Race & ethnicity: White 95% Two or more races 3% Hispanic / Latino 2%
• Common ancestry: Romanian 9% Scotch-Irish 2% Iranian 2%
• Foreign-born: 4%
• Languages at home: 95% English-only · French/Haitian/Cajun 2% Russian/Polish/Slavic 1% Spanish 1%

Political lean MEDSL · Lackawanna

• 2024 margin: Toss-up / Even · D 51.0% · R 48.3%
• 2008→2024 swing: -23.2pp toward R · 2008: 26.0pp · 2024: 2.8pp
• All cycles: 2024: D+2.8 2020: D+8.4 2016: D+3.4 2012: D+27.4 2008: D+26.0

Not yet ingested

• Civics: —

Market trends

• HPI YoY: ▲ 47.95%
• Current HPI: 331.9645
• Rent YoY: —
• Metro: —
• State GDP YoY: ▲ 1.68%
• F500 in state: 34

Industry mix (Fortune 500 HQ in PA)

Industry	F500 HQs	Revenue
▸Healthcare	2	$309B
▸Insurance	2	$27B
▸Telecommunications / Media	1	$124B
▸Industrial Distribution	1	$22B
▸Financial Services	1	$20B
▸Chemicals / Materials	1	$18B

Price history

-6.4% since first listed

4 events — show timeline

• 2026-05-01 Relisted — GSBR as distributed by MLS GRID
• 2026-04-09 Price Changed $439,900 GSBR as distributed by MLS GRID
• 2025-11-06 Price Changed $450,000 GSBR as distributed by MLS GRID
• 2025-09-24 Listed $469,900 GSBR as distributed by MLS GRID