1201 14th Ave · Rock Falls, IL 61071

$59,900

2 bd · 1.0 ba · 936 sqft · Other · 36 Days on market

Built 1945 7,405 sqft lot ↓ 10% since listing

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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 +27.1/30.0
• 1% rule +10.0/10.0
• DSCR +9.4/10.0
• ARV discount +7.5/15.0
• Livability +3.2/5.0
• Rent growth +2.5/5.0
• Condition / age +2.5/5.0
• Schools +2.0/10.0
• Appreciation +0.0/10.0

Listing remarks MLS

Welcoming and full of potential, this 2 bedroom, 1 bathroom ranch offers a great opportunity to make it your own. Featuring a functional layout with a full basement ready for additional living space or storage, an attached garage for everyday convenience, and a partially fenced yard with room to enjoy or expand, this home is ideal for buyers looking to build equity while creating something special.

Key facts

• Attached garage
• Full basement
• 7,405 sq ft lot

Tags

• FULL BASEMENT
• ATTACHED GARAGE
• PARTIALLY FENCED YARD

Property features AI

Finance

• Other: Property not rebuilt or rehabilitated (per listing)
• HOA & community: No master association fee required

Exterior

• Parking: Attached garage (garage owned) with about 1.5 garage spaces; Total parking approximately 1.5 spaces
• Utilities: Public water; Public sewer
• Home design: Detached single-family home; One-story; Fee simple ownership; School bus service available
• Construction: Built approximately 81–90 years ago; Vinyl siding; Block foundation; Asphalt roof
• Exterior features: Corner lot; Lot dimensions approximately 50 x 150; Less than 0.25 acre

Interior

• Kitchen: Range; Refrigerator
• Bedrooms: Main-level master bedroom (approx. 10 x 10); Second bedroom on main level (approx. 11 x 9); Additional bedrooms listed
• Bathrooms: 1 full bathroom
• Heating & cooling: Forced air heating; Central air conditioning
• Interior features: Partially finished full basement; 6 total rooms; Recreation room (basement); Family room; Living room
• Laundry & utility: Laundry room

What this means for you Summary

Snapshot

• This is a 2-bed/1.0-bath other listed at $60k.

Deal economics

• At list price, monthly cash flow is $170 ($2k/yr) — positive.
• The deal already cash-flows at list — no discount required.
• Meets the 1% rule at list price ($945 rent vs $60k).
• Recommended offer: $58k (3.0% below list) — sets the bar for market timing.
• Cap rate 9.7% vs local median 5.0% in Rock Falls — 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 65/100 on livability (#607 in IL) — a middle-class / working-renter tenant base. Strengths: cost of living A+, housing A, health & safety B; Watch: crime F, amenities F, commute F.
• Rock Falls Twp Hsd 301 (town): math 10% / reading 30% proficiency, ranked #726 of 919 in IL (top 79%) — low school quality limits family demand, transient renter base, plan for 1-2y turnover.
• Zoned schools: Rock Falls Township High School (math 22% / reading 32%, grade F, #218 of 693 statewide, top 35%, 566 students, 0% FRL).
• Market conditions: 43 active listings in the ZIP; 19 units permitted in Whiteside County in 2024 (0 in 5+ unit buildings).

Forward outlook

• Local home prices are declining (-3.0%/yr); year-one equity from $414 of loan paydown is wiped out by about $2k of value loss. Plan a longer hold.
• Whiteside County population projected at -21% by 2050 — secular population decline; favor cash flow + early exit over multi-decade hold.
• At projected returns (-3.0% appreciation + 3.0% rent growth), your $17k cash investment doubles in ~10 years — after that, you're playing with house money.

Negotiation context

• It's been on market 36 days — a 3% lower offer ($58k) is reasonable based on typical stale-listing flexibility.
• 7 sale attempts since 5y ago; this cycle's ask has dropped $5k (8%) from the opening price — seller is motivated, your offer sets the floor, not the list.

Risks & watch-outs

• Watch-outs: property tax is 4.8% of price; built in 1945 — expect roof / HVAC / electrical / plumbing capex.

Recommended offer $58,103 (3.0% below list)

Questions for the listing agent

1. It's been on market 36 days. Have you received any prior offers? Is the seller open to a 3% concession, seller financing, or rate buy-down credit?
2. Built in 1945 — when were the roof, HVAC, electrical panel, plumbing, and water heater last replaced?
3. Property tax is high relative to price — has the assessment been appealed recently, and will the sale trigger a re-assessment?
4. Is there a deadline driving the sale (1031 exchange, divorce, estate, relocation)? That informs how much negotiation room exists.
5. 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?
6. 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?
7. 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.
8. 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.
9. 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: 1.58% ✓
• Cap rate: 9.70%
• Cash-on-cash: 12.18%
• DSCR: 1.54
• GRM: 5.3

CMA / ARV

No comps found within radius.

Projected returns pro-forma

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

5-year hold

• IRR: 1.9%
• Equity multiple: 1.07×
• Total profit: $1,254
• Equity at exit: $8,931

10-year hold

• IRR: 11.7%
• Equity multiple: 1.93×
• Total profit: $15,522
• Equity at exit: $5,179

Cash invested: $16,772 (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.

Methodology + full state rankings →

ZIP-level market 61071

• Home prices YoY: -33.5%
• Active inventory: 43
• Price-to-rent: 5.3×

Monthly cashflow live

• Estimated rent: $945 medium
• Mortgage (P&I): −$314
• Tax from tax record: −$237 /mo · $2,848/yr
• Insurance: −$25
• HOA: −$0
• Vacancy / Maint / Mgmt: −$198
• Net cashflow: $170

Break-even live

Break-even rent $730

Max offer price $59,900

Occupancy floor 77%

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: $14,975
• Closing costs: $1,797
• Reserves months: —
• Total cash needed: —

Listing history 18 events

1. 2026-05-15
   status Pending 401-char remark

   Show marketing remark (401 chars)

   Welcoming and full of potential, this 2 bedroom, 1 bathroom ranch offers a great opportunity to make it your own. Featuring a functional layout with a full basement ready for additional living space or storage, an attached garage for everyday convenience, and a partially fenced yard with room to enjoy or expand, this home is ideal for buyers looking to build equity while creating something special.

2. 2026-05-15
   status Pending

   Show marketing remark (401 chars)

   Welcoming and full of potential, this 2 bedroom, 1 bathroom ranch offers a great opportunity to make it your own. Featuring a functional layout with a full basement ready for additional living space or storage, an attached garage for everyday convenience, and a partially fenced yard with room to enjoy or expand, this home is ideal for buyers looking to build equity while creating something special.

3. 2026-05-04
   price $59,900 401-char remark

   Show marketing remark (401 chars)

   Welcoming and full of potential, this 2 bedroom, 1 bathroom ranch offers a great opportunity to make it your own. Featuring a functional layout with a full basement ready for additional living space or storage, an attached garage for everyday convenience, and a partially fenced yard with room to enjoy or expand, this home is ideal for buyers looking to build equity while creating something special.

4. 2026-05-04
   price $59,900

   Show marketing remark (401 chars)

   Welcoming and full of potential, this 2 bedroom, 1 bathroom ranch offers a great opportunity to make it your own. Featuring a functional layout with a full basement ready for additional living space or storage, an attached garage for everyday convenience, and a partially fenced yard with room to enjoy or expand, this home is ideal for buyers looking to build equity while creating something special.

5. 2026-04-14
   status Active 401-char remark

   Show marketing remark (401 chars)

   Welcoming and full of potential, this 2 bedroom, 1 bathroom ranch offers a great opportunity to make it your own. Featuring a functional layout with a full basement ready for additional living space or storage, an attached garage for everyday convenience, and a partially fenced yard with room to enjoy or expand, this home is ideal for buyers looking to build equity while creating something special.

6. 2026-04-14
   status Active

   Show marketing remark (401 chars)

   Welcoming and full of potential, this 2 bedroom, 1 bathroom ranch offers a great opportunity to make it your own. Featuring a functional layout with a full basement ready for additional living space or storage, an attached garage for everyday convenience, and a partially fenced yard with room to enjoy or expand, this home is ideal for buyers looking to build equity while creating something special.

7. 2026-04-01
   status Pending

   Show marketing remark (401 chars)

   Welcoming and full of potential, this 2 bedroom, 1 bathroom ranch offers a great opportunity to make it your own. Featuring a functional layout with a full basement ready for additional living space or storage, an attached garage for everyday convenience, and a partially fenced yard with room to enjoy or expand, this home is ideal for buyers looking to build equity while creating something special.

8. 2026-04-01
   status Pending 401-char remark

   Show marketing remark (401 chars)

   Welcoming and full of potential, this 2 bedroom, 1 bathroom ranch offers a great opportunity to make it your own. Featuring a functional layout with a full basement ready for additional living space or storage, an attached garage for everyday convenience, and a partially fenced yard with room to enjoy or expand, this home is ideal for buyers looking to build equity while creating something special.

9. 2026-03-27
   listed $64,900 Active 401-char remark

   Show marketing remark (401 chars)

   Welcoming and full of potential, this 2 bedroom, 1 bathroom ranch offers a great opportunity to make it your own. Featuring a functional layout with a full basement ready for additional living space or storage, an attached garage for everyday convenience, and a partially fenced yard with room to enjoy or expand, this home is ideal for buyers looking to build equity while creating something special.

10. 2026-03-27
    listed $64,900 Active

    Show marketing remark (401 chars)

    Welcoming and full of potential, this 2 bedroom, 1 bathroom ranch offers a great opportunity to make it your own. Featuring a functional layout with a full basement ready for additional living space or storage, an attached garage for everyday convenience, and a partially fenced yard with room to enjoy or expand, this home is ideal for buyers looking to build equity while creating something special.

11. 2021-07-11
    historical
12. 2021-05-28
    status Reactivated
13. 2021-05-22
    historical
14. 2021-04-23
    status Reactivated
15. 2021-03-05
    historical
16. 2021-02-22
    listed
17. 2018-10-31
    historical
18. 2007-05-30
    soldstatus $66,326

ⓘ 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: $2,848 · $237/mo
• Projected year-2 tax: $2,848 · $237/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 3/10 Moderate 7 d/yr ≥103°F today · 16 d/yr by 30 yrs out
• 💨 Wind 2/10 Low
• 🫁 Air quality 3/10 Moderate 2 unhealthy d/yr today · 3 by 30 yrs out

Taxation est. · year 1

• Rental income: $11,342
• − Mortgage interest: −$3,355
• − Property taxes: −$2,848
• − Insurance: −$300
• − Repairs & maintenance: −$907
• − Management: −$907
• − Depreciation: −$1,743
• Taxable income: $1,282
• Est. tax owed @ 24.0%: −$308
• After-tax cash flow: $1,736/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: Rock Falls Twp Hsd 301
• NCES district ID: 1734380
• Math proficiency: 10% ▼ -5.00%
• Reading proficiency: 30% ▬ 0.00%
• Median HH income: $36,851
• Composite: 19.86/100
• National rank: #13891
• State rank: #726 of 919 in IL

Livability — Rock Falls

• Score: 65/100
• State rank: #607
• US rank: #12541

Category grades

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

Schools grade is shown separately in the Schools card above.

Census & demographics

• Census place: Rock Falls, IL
• Population (ZIP): 13,482

Population outlook (Whiteside County) Hauer SSP2

• Today (2025): 53,736 people
• By 2030: 51,657 · -3.9%
• By 2040: 47,169 · -12.2%
• By 2050: 42,613 · -20.7%
• By 2075: 32,691 · -39.2%
• By 2100: 22,638 · -57.9%

Race, ethnicity, and origin ACS 2023

• Neighborhood character: Predominantly White (81%)
• Race & ethnicity: White 81% Hispanic / Latino 16% Two or more races 9%
• Hispanic origin (detail): Mexican 12% Puerto Rican 3%
• Common ancestry: Iranian 3% Romanian 3% Lithuanian 2%
• Foreign-born: 3% · Canada
• Languages at home: 90% English-only · Spanish 9%

Political lean MEDSL · Whiteside

• 2024 margin: R (+14.7) · D 41.7% · R 56.4% · Other 2.0%
• 2008→2024 swing: -32.3pp toward R · 2008: 17.6pp · 2024: -14.7pp
• All cycles: 2024: R+14.7 2020: R+8.3 2016: R+6.3 2012: D+17.3 2008: D+17.6

Not yet ingested

• Civics: —

Market trends

• HPI YoY: ▼ -71.37%
• Current HPI: 142.0179
• Rent YoY: —
• Metro: —
• 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
▸Industrial Machinery	3	$64B
▸Healthcare	2	$55B
▸Retail / Pharmacy	1	$148B
▸Agriculture / Food	1	$86B

Price history

-9.7% since first listed

18 events — show timeline

• 2026-05-15 Pending — NWIAR
• 2026-05-15 Pending — MRED as Distributed by MLS Grid
• 2026-05-04 Price Changed $59,900 NWIAR
• 2026-05-04 Price Changed $59,900 MRED as Distributed by MLS Grid
• 2026-04-14 Relisted — NWIAR
• 2026-04-14 Relisted — MRED as Distributed by MLS Grid
• 2026-04-01 Pending — MRED as Distributed by MLS Grid
• 2026-04-01 Pending — NWIAR
• 2026-03-27 Listed $64,900 MRED as Distributed by MLS Grid
• 2026-03-27 Listed $64,900 NWIAR
• 2021-07-11 Listing Removed — MRED as Distributed by MLS Grid
• 2021-05-28 Relisted — MRED as Distributed by MLS Grid
• 2021-05-22 Listing Removed — MRED as Distributed by MLS Grid
• 2021-04-23 Relisted — MRED as Distributed by MLS Grid
• 2021-03-05 Listing Removed — MRED as Distributed by MLS Grid
• 2021-02-22 Listed — MRED as Distributed by MLS Grid
• 2018-10-31 Listing Removed — MRED as Distributed by MLS Grid
• 2007-05-30 Sold (Public Records) $66,326 Public Records

Property tax history

+2.6%/yr

Latest (2024): $2,848 · +6.0% YoY. Source: county tax records.