901 N El Centro Ave

Los Angeles, CA 90038

$949,995B-

1 bd · 1.0 ba · 462 sqft · Built 1924 · MultiFamily · Active · 270 DOM

Cashflow @ list (25.0% down · 7.5%)

• Estimated rent: $10,107/mo
• Mortgage (P&I): −$4,982
• Tax + insurance: −$866
• HOA: −$0
• Vac / Maint / Mgmt: −$2,122
• Net cashflow: $2,137/mo
• Annual: $25,645/yr
• Cap rate: 8.99%
• Cash-on-cash: 9.64%
• DSCR: 1.43
• 1% rule: 1.06%
• Cash to close: $265,999

Investor read

• This is a 5 × 1-bed/1-bath units multifamily listed at $950k.
• At list price, monthly cash flow is $2k ($26k/yr) — positive. Per door: $427/mo.
• The deal already cash-flows at list — no discount required.
• Meets the 1% rule at list price ($10k rent vs $950k).
• It's been on market 270 days — a 12% lower offer ($836k) is reasonable based on typical stale-listing flexibility.
• Recommended offer: $836k (12.0% below list) — sets the bar for market timing.
• Local home prices are declining (-3.0%/yr); year-one equity from $7k of loan paydown is wiped out by about $28k of value loss. Plan a longer hold.
• Location reads 68/100 on livability (#273 in CA) — a middle-class / working-renter tenant base. Strengths: amenities A+, commute A+, employment B; Watch: health & safety C-, schools D+, crime F.
• Los Angeles Unified (urban): math 29% / reading 54% proficiency, ranked #223 of 517 in CA (top 43%) — families likely to look elsewhere, expect single-tenant / working-renter base with shorter leases; 67% free/reduced lunch — lower-income household profile, screen leases tightly.
• Watch-outs: built in 1924 — expect roof / HVAC / electrical / plumbing capex.
• Market conditions: Rents flat; 87 active listings in the ZIP; 40 comparable units currently listed for rent nearby; rentals at typical pace (median 14d on market — plan ~3-4 weeks tenant-placement turnaround); 19,697 units permitted in Los Angeles County in 2024 (9,426 in 5+ unit buildings).
• Los Angeles County population projected at +9% by 2050 — modest demand growth; plan on rents tracking national, not racing it.
• 7 sale attempts since 25y ago; this cycle's ask has dropped $245k (21%) from the opening price — seller is motivated, your offer sets the floor, not the list.
• Current owner paid $277k; list at $950k implies a 243% gain — meaningful room to come down on a strong offer.
• Climate carrying-cost: extreme-heat days projected 7→22/yr by 2055 (HVAC capex compounding) — expect insurance premiums to compound above CPI over the hold.
• Cap rate 9.0% vs local median 2.1% in Los Angeles — 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 $10,107/mo this rent would consume 197% of the median local household income ($61k/yr) (locally 4038% 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 270 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 1924 — when were the roof, HVAC, electrical panel, plumbing, and water heater last replaced?
• 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?