536-538 Union St

Springfield, MA 01109

$379,900D

6 bd · 3.0 ba · 1,920 sqft · Built 1988 · MultiFamily · Active · 71 DOM

Cashflow @ list (25.0% down · 7.5%)

• Estimated rent: $3,771/mo
• Mortgage (P&I): −$1,992
• Tax + insurance: −$633
• HOA: −$0
• Vac / Maint / Mgmt: −$792
• Net cashflow: $354/mo
• Annual: $4,244/yr
• Cap rate: 7.41%
• Cash-on-cash: 3.99%
• DSCR: 1.18
• 1% rule: 0.99%
• Cash to close: $106,372

Investor read

• This is a 2 × 3-bed/1.5-bath units multifamily listed at $380k. Condition is rated fair.
• At list price, monthly cash flow is $354 ($4k/yr) — positive. Per door: $177/mo.
• The deal already cash-flows at list — no discount required.
• To meet the 1% rule (rent ≥ 1% of price), the offer needs to be $377k (0.7% below list).
• It's been on market 71 days — a 6% lower offer ($357k) is reasonable based on typical stale-listing flexibility.
• Recommended offer: $357k (6.0% below list) — sets the bar for market timing.
• Local home prices are declining (-3.0%/yr); year-one equity from $3k of loan paydown is wiped out by about $11k of value loss. Plan a longer hold.
• Location reads 73/100 on livability (#97 in MA) — a middle-class / working-renter tenant base. Strengths: commute A+, health & safety A+, amenities A; Watch: schools D, crime F, employment D-.
• Springfield (urban): math 13% / reading 25% proficiency, ranked #296 of 302 in MA (top 98%) — low school quality limits family demand, transient renter base, plan for 1-2y turnover; 81% free/reduced lunch — lower-income household profile, screen leases tightly.
• Market conditions: 32 active listings in the ZIP; 4 comparable units currently listed for rent nearby; rentals lingering (median 44d on market — plan ~5-8 weeks vacancy on turnover, expect pricing pressure); 75% of comp listings sitting > 30 days — soft ceiling on asking rent; 453 units permitted in Hampden County in 2024 (116 in 5+ unit buildings).
• Hampden County population projected at +5% by 2050 — modest demand growth; plan on rents tracking national, not racing it.
• 3 sale attempts since 27y 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 $102k; list at $380k implies a 272% gain — meaningful room to come down on a strong offer.
• Cap rate 7.4% vs local median 5.1% in Springfield — 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.
• At $3,771/mo this rent would consume 93% of the median local household income ($48k/yr) (locally 1322% of renters already pay >50% of income on rent) — very limited rent-growth headroom before tenants either downsize or default.

Questions for listing agent

• It's been on market 71 days. Have you received any prior offers? Is the seller open to a 6% 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?
• Have any recent inspections been done? Can we get a copy of the seller's disclosures and any deferred-maintenance estimates?
• 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 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?
• 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?

Repairs flagged (vision-AI assessment)

• Major: kitchen appliances — outdated and need replacement
• Major: bathroom fixtures — dated and need replacement
• Moderate: exterior paint — some peeling and wear
• Moderate: interior paint — peeling in some areas
• Moderate: HVAC system — outdated and may need replacement