1021 N Marlyn Ave · Essex, MD 21221

$170,000

3 bd · 1.0 ba · 1,144 sqft · Townhouse public records · 17 Days on market

Built 1955 1,616 sqft lot $149/sqft · 19% below area Est $211k · 19% under

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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 +22.0/30.0
• ARV discount +15.0/15.0
• 1% rule +7.0/10.0
• DSCR +7.0/10.0
• Livability +4.0/5.0
• Rent growth +2.8/5.0
• Condition / age +2.5/5.0
• Schools +2.3/10.0
• Appreciation +0.0/10.0

Listing remarks MLS

Welcome to 1021 N Marlyn Ave — a solid opportunity for investors or buyers looking to put their own touch on a home. This brick townhome offers 3 bedrooms and 1 full bath, along with additional space in the basement that includes a toilet, laundry area, and rear walk-out access to the backyard. A portion of the basement has been previously finished with wood paneling, while the remaining area houses utilities and offers additional storage or future finishing potential. The home features a rear driveway for off-street parking, along with ample street parking out front. While the property does need work, it presents a great opportunity for someone looking to renovate and customize, or for an investor seeking a rental property with strong potential. Conveniently located near major routes, shopping, and everyday amenities. -BASEMENT CEILING IS DAMAGED WITH SECTIONS OF LOOSE/HANGING DROP CEILING. USE EXTREME CAUTION WHEN ENTERING BASEMENT. LISTING AGENT AND SELLER ASSUME NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR INJURY. -

Key facts

• Parking
• Built 1955
• Listed 17 days

What this means for you Summary

Snapshot

• This is a 3-bed/1.0-bath townhouse listed at $170k.

Deal economics

• At list price, monthly cash flow is $271 ($3k/yr) — positive.
• The deal already cash-flows at list — no discount required.
• Meets the 1% rule at list price ($2k rent vs $170k).
• Recommended offer: $167k (1.5% below list) — sets the bar for market timing.
• Cap rate 8.2% vs local median 4.9% in Essex — 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 79/100 on livability (#60 in MD, #2,277 nationally) — a middle-class / working-renter tenant base. Strengths: commute A+, housing A+, health & safety A; Watch: amenities D+, schools D, crime F.
• Baltimore County Public Schools (suburban): math 15% / reading 34% proficiency, ranked #11 of 24 in MD (top 46%) — low school quality limits family demand, transient renter base, plan for 1-2y turnover.
• Market conditions: Rents rising (+1.1%/yr); 142 active listings in the ZIP; 37 comparable units currently listed for rent nearby; rentals at typical pace (median 23d on market — plan ~3-4 weeks tenant-placement turnaround); 1,511 units permitted in Baltimore County in 2024 (643 in 5+ unit buildings).
• This rent runs 36% of the median local income ($67k/yr) — at the standard rent-burdened threshold; future hikes will face affordability resistance.

Forward outlook

• Local home prices are declining (-3.0%/yr); year-one equity from $1k of loan paydown is wiped out by about $5k of value loss. Plan a longer hold.
• Baltimore County population projected at +12% by 2050 — modest demand growth; plan on rents tracking national, not racing it.

Negotiation context

• It's been on market 17 days — a 2% lower offer ($167k) is reasonable based on typical stale-listing flexibility.
• Current owner paid $20k; list at $170k implies a 772% gain — meaningful room to come down on a strong offer.

Risks & watch-outs

• Watch-outs: property tax is 2.7% of price; built in 1955 — expect roof / HVAC / electrical / plumbing capex.
• Climate carrying-cost: major wind risk, 27% chance of damaging wind over 30y; extreme-heat days projected 7→15/yr by 2055 (HVAC capex compounding) — expect insurance premiums to compound above CPI over the hold.

Recommended offer $167,450 (1.5% below list)

Questions for the listing agent

1. Built in 1955 — when were the roof, HVAC, electrical panel, plumbing, and water heater last replaced?
2. Property tax is high relative to price — has the assessment been appealed recently, and will the sale trigger a re-assessment?
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. 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?
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: 1.20% ✓
• Cap rate: 8.21%
• Cash-on-cash: 6.83%
• DSCR: 1.30
• GRM: 6.9

CMA / ARV

• ARV (median comp): $210,700
• List price: $170,000
• Delta: -19.32%
• Verdict: UNDERPRICED
• Comps: 20 within 1.0 mi

Show comp detail 12 sales within ~0.75 mi

Address	Dist	Beds/Ba	Sqft	Sold	Price	$/sf	Match
1100 N Marlyn Ave	0.09mi	3/1.5	1,144 (0%)	2mo	$215,000	$188	92
417 Torner Rd	0.35mi	3/1.0	1,144 (0%)	3mo	$207,000	$181	82
732 Arncliffe Rd	0.35mi	3/1.0	1,169 (+2%)	1mo	$200,000	$171	79
813 Middlesex Rd	0.27mi	4/2.0 (+1)	1,144 (0%)	2mo	$257,500	$225	77
559 Welbrook Rd	0.39mi	3/1.0	1,124 (-2%)	4mo	$175,000	$156	76
946 Middlesex Rd	0.15mi	3/1.0	1,284 (+12%)	1mo	$195,000	$152	71
606 Middlesex Rd	0.50mi	3/2.0	1,152 (+1%)	1mo	$252,000	$219	70
329 Leeanne Rd	0.66mi	3/1.5	1,152 (+1%)	2mo	$206,000	$179	64
647 Dunwich Way	0.41mi	3/1.5	1,024 (-10%)	2mo	$147,000	$144	60
738 Arncliffe Rd	0.34mi	2/1.0 (-1)	1,016 (-11%)	8mo	$180,000	$177	54
724 Middlesex	0.35mi	2/1.5 (-1)	1,016 (-11%)	7mo	$170,000	$167	52
303 Leeanne Rd	0.71mi	3/1.0	1,024 (-10%)	5mo	$182,000	$178	45

Match score weights: distance 35% · size 25% · config 20% · recency 20%. Top-matched comps best support the ARV.

Projected returns pro-forma

-3.0% appreciation · 1.08% rent growth · sell at horizon

5-year hold

• IRR: -8.2%
• Equity multiple: 0.71×
• Total profit: $-14,030
• Equity at exit: $25,348

10-year hold

• IRR: -1.6%
• Equity multiple: 0.90×
• Total profit: $-4,741
• Equity at exit: $14,698

Cash invested: $47,600 (down + closing). Projections, not guarantees.

Landlord ↔ Tenant lean methodology

• Overall (STATE): 27 Tenant-Leaning
• State Maryland: 27 Tenant-Leaning · D+14
• County: — inherits STATE
• City: — inherits STATE

Failure-to-pay is dismissed if cured before judgment; Baltimore has just-cause; strict deposit rules.

Methodology + full state rankings →

ZIP-level market 21221

• Rents YoY: 1.1%
• Active inventory: 142
• Price-to-rent: 6.9×

Monthly cashflow live

• Estimated rent: $2,042 high
• Mortgage (P&I): −$891
• Tax from tax record: −$380 /mo · $4,563/yr
• Insurance: −$71
• HOA: −$0
• Vacancy / Maint / Mgmt: −$429
• Net cashflow: $271

Break-even live

Break-even rent $1,700

Max offer price $170,000

Occupancy floor 82%

Sensitivity live

Price	-10% $367	-5% $319	+0% $271	+5% $223	+10% $175
Rent	-10% $110	-5% $190	+0% $271	+5% $352	+10% $432
Rate	-1.0pp $357	-0.5pp $314	base $271	+0.5pp $227	+1.0pp $182

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: $42,500
• Closing costs: $5,100
• Reserves months: —
• Total cash needed: —

Rent comps 37 comps

Address	Beds	Baths	Sqft	Rent	$/sqft	DOM	Units	Dist
153 Bennett Rd Unit Labs Essex, MD	2.0	2.0	1196	$1,800	$1.51	6d	1	0.06mi
233 Orville Rd Essex, MD	3.0	2.0	1144	$1,850	$1.62	44d	1	0.13mi
832 N Marlyn Ave Essex, MD	3.0	2.0	1416	$2,300	$1.62	44d	1	0.22mi
326 Stemmers Run Rd Essex, MD	4.0	2.0	1144	$2,300	$2.01	44d	1	0.32mi
421 Torner Rd Essex, MD	3.0	2.0	1024	$2,050	$2.00	23d	1	0.35mi
54 Stemmers Run Rd Essex, MD	3.0	2.5	1260	$1,950	$1.55	44d	1	0.58mi
201 Middleway Rd Middle River, MD	1.0–2.0	1.0	750	$1,571	$2.09	3d	24	0.60mi
60 S Hawthorne Rd Middle River, MD	3.0	1.0	1234	$2,250	$1.82	44d	1	0.67mi
47 S Hawthorne Rd Middle River, MD	3.0	1.0	1024	$1,900	$1.86	25d	1	0.67mi
2125 Hawthorne Rd Middle River, MD	3.0	2.0	1299	$2,100	$1.62	44d	1	0.75mi
120 Kingston Rd Middle River, MD	3.0	2.0	1024	$1,950	$1.90	25d	1	0.79mi
4 Essex Ave Unit A Essex, MD	2.0	1.0	800	$1,250	$1.56	25d	1	0.81mi
439 Hopkins Landing Dr Essex, MD	2.0	2.0	1485	$1,795	$1.21	12d	1	0.84mi
42 Holcumb Ct Middle River, MD	3.0	1.5	1452	$2,200	$1.52	44d	1	0.90mi
2202 Firethorn Rd Middle River, MD	3.0	2.5	1324	$2,300	$1.74	44d	1	0.92mi
1516 Becklow Ave Middle River, MD	3.0	1.0	1144	$2,100	$1.84	23d	1	0.93mi
1513 Aldeney Ave Middle River, MD	4.0	2.0	1324	$2,295	$1.73	25d	1	0.95mi
303 Endsleigh Ave Middle River, MD	3.0	2.0	1144	$1,950	$1.70	23d	1	0.95mi
1542 Becklow Ave Middle River, MD	4.0	2.0	1224	$1,900	$1.55	23d	1	0.96mi
433 Grovethorn Rd Middle River, MD	3.0	2.0	1024	$2,000	$1.95	23d	1	0.97mi
2203 Redthorn Rd Middle River, MD	3.0	2.0	1144	$2,200	$1.92	12d	1	0.98mi
8908 Golden Tree Ln Essex, MD	4.0	1.5	1466	$3,000	$2.05	44d	1	1.03mi
2167 Graythorn Rd Middle River, MD	3.0	1.5	1324	$1,900	$1.44	25d	1	1.05mi
28 Ebbing Ct Essex, MD	3.0	2.5	1464	$2,195	$1.50	12d	1	1.07mi
2242 Graythorn Rd Middle River, MD	3.0	1.5	1024	$2,195	$2.14	44d	1	1.13mi
22 Nakota Ct Middle River, MD	3.0	1.5	1194	$2,000	$1.68	44d	1	1.18mi
2128 Cockspur Rd Middle River, MD	3.0	1.5	1272	$2,100	$1.65	25d	1	1.19mi
2 Chelmsford Ct Middle River, MD	3.0	1.5	1122	$2,100	$1.87	3d	1	1.20mi
706 Seawall Rd Essex, MD	3.0	1.0	1114	$1,900	$1.71	6d	1	1.31mi
1402 Nicolay Way Unit 1 Essex, MD	3.0	1.5	1432	$1,925	$1.34	6d	1	1.32mi
1402 Nicolay Way Essex, MD	3.0	2.0	1432	$1,925	$1.34	4d	1	1.32mi
1409 Nicolay Way Essex, MD	3.0	2.0	1008	$1,950	$1.93	6d	1	1.34mi
2 Driftwood Ct Essex, MD	2.0	1.0	720	$1,198	$1.66	4d	5	1.38mi
736 West Kingsway Middle River, MD	3.0	1.0	1100	$1,742	$1.58	20d	7	1.38mi
303 Holly Dr Middle River, MD	1.0–2.0	1.0	740	$1,510	$2.04	3d	9	1.42mi
846 Brunswick Rd Essex, MD	1.0–2.0	1.0–2.0	500	$1,241	$2.48	3d	49	1.46mi
846 Brunswick Rd Essex, MD	2.0	1.0	500	$1,272	$2.54	44d	42	1.46mi

Listing history 5 events

1. 2026-05-13
   status Pending 1018-char remark

   Show marketing remark (1018 chars)

   Welcome to 1021 N Marlyn Ave — a solid opportunity for investors or buyers looking to put their own touch on a home. This brick townhome offers 3 bedrooms and 1 full bath, along with additional space in the basement that includes a toilet, laundry area, and rear walk-out access to the backyard. A portion of the basement has been previously finished with wood paneling, while the remaining area houses utilities and offers additional storage or future finishing potential. The home features a rear driveway for off-street parking, along with ample street parking out front. While the property does need work, it presents a great opportunity for someone looking to renovate and customize, or for an investor seeking a rental property with strong potential. Conveniently located near major routes, shopping, and everyday amenities. -BASEMENT CEILING IS DAMAGED WITH SECTIONS OF LOOSE/HANGING DROP CEILING. USE EXTREME CAUTION WHEN ENTERING BASEMENT. LISTING AGENT AND SELLER ASSUME NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR INJURY. -

2. 2026-05-12
   price $170,000 1018-char remark

   Show marketing remark (1018 chars)

   Welcome to 1021 N Marlyn Ave — a solid opportunity for investors or buyers looking to put their own touch on a home. This brick townhome offers 3 bedrooms and 1 full bath, along with additional space in the basement that includes a toilet, laundry area, and rear walk-out access to the backyard. A portion of the basement has been previously finished with wood paneling, while the remaining area houses utilities and offers additional storage or future finishing potential. The home features a rear driveway for off-street parking, along with ample street parking out front. While the property does need work, it presents a great opportunity for someone looking to renovate and customize, or for an investor seeking a rental property with strong potential. Conveniently located near major routes, shopping, and everyday amenities. -BASEMENT CEILING IS DAMAGED WITH SECTIONS OF LOOSE/HANGING DROP CEILING. USE EXTREME CAUTION WHEN ENTERING BASEMENT. LISTING AGENT AND SELLER ASSUME NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR INJURY. -

3. 2026-04-27
   listed $180,000 Active 1018-char remark

   Show marketing remark (1018 chars)

   Welcome to 1021 N Marlyn Ave — a solid opportunity for investors or buyers looking to put their own touch on a home. This brick townhome offers 3 bedrooms and 1 full bath, along with additional space in the basement that includes a toilet, laundry area, and rear walk-out access to the backyard. A portion of the basement has been previously finished with wood paneling, while the remaining area houses utilities and offers additional storage or future finishing potential. The home features a rear driveway for off-street parking, along with ample street parking out front. While the property does need work, it presents a great opportunity for someone looking to renovate and customize, or for an investor seeking a rental property with strong potential. Conveniently located near major routes, shopping, and everyday amenities. -BASEMENT CEILING IS DAMAGED WITH SECTIONS OF LOOSE/HANGING DROP CEILING. USE EXTREME CAUTION WHEN ENTERING BASEMENT. LISTING AGENT AND SELLER ASSUME NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR INJURY. -

4. 2026-04-16
   historical $180,000 1018-char remark

   Show marketing remark (1018 chars)

   Welcome to 1021 N Marlyn Ave — a solid opportunity for investors or buyers looking to put their own touch on a home. This brick townhome offers 3 bedrooms and 1 full bath, along with additional space in the basement that includes a toilet, laundry area, and rear walk-out access to the backyard. A portion of the basement has been previously finished with wood paneling, while the remaining area houses utilities and offers additional storage or future finishing potential. The home features a rear driveway for off-street parking, along with ample street parking out front. While the property does need work, it presents a great opportunity for someone looking to renovate and customize, or for an investor seeking a rental property with strong potential. Conveniently located near major routes, shopping, and everyday amenities. -BASEMENT CEILING IS DAMAGED WITH SECTIONS OF LOOSE/HANGING DROP CEILING. USE EXTREME CAUTION WHEN ENTERING BASEMENT. LISTING AGENT AND SELLER ASSUME NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR INJURY. -

5. 1976-04-02
   soldstatus $19,500

ⓘ Source: listings_history table (triggers on properties + properties_extension) + one-shot backfill from property_details.listing_events for pre-trigger history.

Tax reassessment forecast MD · Partial reset (capped growth)

• Current annual tax: $4,563 · $380/mo
• Projected year-2 tax: $4,563 · $380/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 8/10 Severe 7 d/yr ≥104°F today · 15 d/yr by 30 yrs out
• 💨 Wind 6/10 Major 27% chance of damaging wind over 30 yrs
• 🫁 Air quality 5/10 Major 6 unhealthy d/yr today · 8 by 30 yrs out

Taxation est. · year 1

• Rental income: $24,509
• − Mortgage interest: −$9,523
• − Property taxes: −$4,563
• − Insurance: −$850
• − Repairs & maintenance: −$1,961
• − Management: −$1,961
• − Depreciation: −$4,945
• Taxable income: $706
• Est. tax owed @ 24.0%: −$170
• After-tax cash flow: $3,081/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: Baltimore County Public Schools
• NCES district ID: 2400120
• Math proficiency: 15% ▼ -16.00%
• Reading proficiency: 34% ▼ -5.00%
• Median HH income: $66,746
• Composite: 23.17/100
• National rank: #7948
• State rank: #11 of 24 in MD

Livability — Essex

• Score: 79/100
• State rank: #60
• US rank: #2277

Category grades

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

Schools grade is shown separately in the Schools card above.

Census & demographics

• Census place: Essex, MD
• County: Baltimore County · 769,527 people
• City population: 43,487
• Metro: Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD
• Population (ZIP): 43,487
• Household income: $67,340
• Rent vs Own: 37.5% rent · 62.5% own
• Severe rent burden: 1757.0

Population outlook (Baltimore County) Hauer SSP2

• Today (2025): 885,518 people
• By 2030: 909,272 · +2.7%
• By 2040: 951,547 · +7.5%
• By 2050: 990,955 · +11.9%
• By 2075: 1,086,411 · +22.7%
• By 2100: 1,135,078 · +28.2%

Race, ethnicity, and origin ACS 2023

• Neighborhood character: Diverse neighborhood (Simpson 0.60)
• Race & ethnicity: White 54% Black 32% Two or more races 7% Hispanic / Latino 7% Asian 1%
• Hispanic origin (detail): Mexican 2% Puerto Rican 1% Dominican 1%
• Common ancestry: Romanian 5% Lithuanian 1% Slovak 1%
• Foreign-born: 8% · Canada, China
• Languages at home: 89% English-only · Spanish 6% French/Haitian/Cajun 1%

Political lean MEDSL · Baltimore

• 2024 margin: Strong D (+24.5) · D 61.0% · R 36.5% · Other 2.5%
• 2008→2024 swing: +9.9pp toward D · 2008: 14.6pp · 2024: 24.5pp
• All cycles: 2024: D+24.5 2020: D+27.0 2016: D+17.4 2012: D+16.4 2008: D+14.6

Not yet ingested

• Civics: —

Market trends

• HPI YoY: ▼ -232.14%
• Current HPI: 237.1069
• Rent YoY: ▲ 1.08%
• Metro: Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD
• State GDP YoY: ▲ 2.97%
• F500 in state: 12

Industry mix (Fortune 500 HQ in MD)

Industry	F500 HQs	Revenue
▸Aerospace / Defense	1	$71B
▸Utilities	1	$25B
▸Hotels	1	$24B
▸Consumer Goods	1	$7B
▸Real Estate	1	$6B
▸Chemicals	1	$2B

Price history

+771.8% since first listed

5 events — show timeline

• 2026-05-13 Pending — BRIGHT MLS
• 2026-05-12 Price Changed $170,000 BRIGHT MLS
• 2026-04-27 Listed $180,000 BRIGHT MLS
• 2026-04-16 Coming Soon $180,000 BRIGHT MLS
• 1976-04-02 Sold (Public Records) $19,500 Public Records

Property tax history

+6.5%/yr

Latest (2025): $4,563 · -5.9% YoY. Source: county tax records.