522 Merle St · Bismarck, MO 63624

$84,900

2 bd · 1.0 ba · 1,224 sqft · Other public records · 20 Days on market

Built 1940 0.26 ac lot

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Why this score? — see what drove the B 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 +28.4/30.0
• DSCR +10.0/10.0
• Appreciation +10.0/10.0
• ARV discount +7.5/15.0
• 1% rule +7.1/10.0
• Livability +2.9/5.0
• Rent growth +2.5/5.0
• Condition / age +2.5/5.0
• Schools +2.0/10.0

Listing remarks MLS

Adorable home with country kitchen, formal dining room AND HUGE GARAGE! Central heat & air, good garden spot, in well-kept area, Bismarck School District, situated on a nice level corner lot. Bungalow style home with vinyl siding and nice relaxing covered front porch. This would make a fantastic Rental Investment property. Call to schedule your appointment today!

Key facts

• Covered front porch
• Extra parking
• Plenty of storage

Tags

• COVERED FRONT PORCH
• DETACHED GARAGE
• EXTRA PARKING
• PLENTY OF STORAGE

Property features AI

Finance

• Other: Property type: Residential — Single Family Residence; Living area recorded as 1,224 (assessor); Lot size approximately 0.263 acres (dimensions 107.25 x 107.25); No pool
• Financial info: Lease not considered
• HOA & community: No HOA information provided

Exterior

• Parking: 2 total parking spaces; 2-car garage
• Security: No security features provided
• Utilities: Public water; Public sewer; Electric service by Ameren; Electricity connected
• Home design: Single-family residence; Private ownership; One-story home; Corner lot location
• Construction: Vinyl siding; Built area recorded as 1,224 (above grade finished area)
• Exterior features: Covered patio/porch

Interior

• Kitchen: No specific kitchen appliance details provided
• Bedrooms: 2 bedrooms (both on the main level)
• Flooring: No flooring details provided
• Bathrooms: 1 full bathroom (on the main level)
• Heating & cooling: Forced air heating; Central air conditioning
• Interior features: No basement; Level lot (yard is level)
• Laundry & utility: No specific laundry or utility room details provided

What this means for you Summary

Snapshot

• This is a 2-bed/1.0-bath other listed at $85k.

Deal economics

• At list price, monthly cash flow is $274 ($3k/yr) — positive.
• The deal already cash-flows at list — no discount required.
• Meets the 1% rule at list price ($1k rent vs $85k).
• Recommended offer: $84k (1.5% below list) — sets the bar for market timing.

Location & tenants

• Location reads 58/100 on livability (#583 in MO) — a working-class tenant base; expect higher turnover. Strengths: cost of living A+, housing A+, crime B+; Watch: amenities F, commute F, employment D-.
• Bismarck R-V (rural): math 18% / reading 31% proficiency, ranked #292 of 324 in MO (top 90%) — low school quality limits family demand, transient renter base, plan for 1-2y turnover.
• Zoned schools: Bismarck R-V Elem. (math 27% / reading 27%, grade F, #850 of 1,115 statewide, top 78%, 227 students, 94% FRL); Bismarck R-V High (math 12% / reading 32%, grade F, #462 of 521 statewide, top 90%, 277 students, 99% FRL) — zoned schools average 97% FRL vs 58% district-wide (39 pts higher); higher-poverty schools than district average — tighter screening recommended.
• Market conditions: 23 active listings in the ZIP; 134 units permitted in St. Francois County in 2024 (32 in 5+ unit buildings).

Forward outlook

• In year one you build about $9k of equity ($587 loan paydown + $8k appreciation (10.0% local appreciation)).
• At projected returns (10.0% appreciation + 3.0% rent growth), your $24k cash investment doubles in ~2 years — after that, you're playing with house money.
• By year 4, paydown + projected appreciation supports a ~$32k cash-out refi (75% LTV) — recoverable capital for the next deal without selling this one.

Negotiation context

• It's been on market 20 days — a 2% lower offer ($84k) is reasonable based on typical stale-listing flexibility.
• 3 sale attempts since 9y 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.

Risks & watch-outs

• Watch-outs: built in 1940 — expect roof / HVAC / electrical / plumbing capex.

Recommended offer $83,626 (1.5% below list)

Questions for the listing agent

1. Built in 1940 — when were the roof, HVAC, electrical panel, plumbing, and water heater last replaced?
2. Is there a deadline driving the sale (1031 exchange, divorce, estate, relocation)? That informs how much negotiation room exists.
3. 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?
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. 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: 1.21% ✓
• Cap rate: 10.16%
• Cash-on-cash: 13.83%
• DSCR: 1.62
• GRM: 6.9

CMA / ARV

No comps found within radius.

Projected returns pro-forma

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

5-year hold

• IRR: 34.5%
• Equity multiple: 3.68×
• Total profit: $63,671
• Equity at exit: $76,485

10-year hold

• IRR: 29.7%
• Equity multiple: 8.31×
• Total profit: $173,755
• Equity at exit: $164,942

Cash invested: $23,772 (down + closing). Projections, not guarantees.

Landlord ↔ Tenant lean methodology

• Overall (STATE): 81 Strongly Landlord-Friendly
• State Missouri: 81 Strongly Landlord-Friendly · R+10
• County: — inherits STATE
• City: — inherits STATE

Generally landlord-friendly; St Louis has some habitability requirements.

Methodology + full state rankings →

ZIP-level market 63624

• Home prices YoY: 23.8%
• Active inventory: 23
• Price-to-rent: 6.9×

Monthly cashflow live

• Estimated rent: $1,029 medium
• Mortgage (P&I): −$445
• Tax from tax record: −$59 /mo · $705/yr
• Insurance: −$35
• HOA: −$0
• Vacancy / Maint / Mgmt: −$216
• Net cashflow: $274

Break-even live

Break-even rent $683

Max offer price $84,900

Occupancy floor 68%

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: $21,225
• Closing costs: $2,547
• Reserves months: —
• Total cash needed: —

Listing history 25 events

1. 2026-06-18
   days on market $84,900 Active 20 DOM
2. 2026-06-17
   days on market $84,900 Active 19 DOM
3. 2026-06-16
   days on market $84,900 Active 18 DOM
4. 2026-06-15
   days on market $84,900 Active 17 DOM
5. 2026-06-13
   days on market $84,900 Active 15 DOM
6. 2026-06-12
   days on market $84,900 Active 14 DOM
7. 2026-06-09
   days on market $84,900 Active 11 DOM
8. 2026-06-08
   days on market $84,900 Active 10 DOM
9. 2026-06-07
   days on market $84,900 Active 9 DOM
10. 2026-06-05
    days on market $84,900 Active 7 DOM
11. 2026-06-04
    days on market $84,900 Active 5 DOM
12. 2026-06-02
    days on market $84,900 Active 4 DOM
13. 2026-06-01
    days on market $84,900 Active 3 DOM
14. 2026-05-31
    days on market $84,900 Active 2 DOM
15. 2026-05-29
    listed $84,900 Active
16. 2022-01-21
    soldstatus
17. 2017-06-02
    soldstatus Closed 369-char remark

    Show marketing remark (369 chars)

    Adorable home with country kitchen, formal dining room AND HUGE GARAGE! Central heat & air, good garden spot, in well-kept area, Bismarck School District, situated on a nice level corner lot. Bungalow style home with vinyl siding and nice relaxing covered front porch. This would make a fantastic Rental Investment property. Call to schedule your appointment today!

18. 2017-04-27
    price $25,200 369-char remark

    Show marketing remark (369 chars)

    Adorable home with country kitchen, formal dining room AND HUGE GARAGE! Central heat & air, good garden spot, in well-kept area, Bismarck School District, situated on a nice level corner lot. Bungalow style home with vinyl siding and nice relaxing covered front porch. This would make a fantastic Rental Investment property. Call to schedule your appointment today!

19. 2017-04-27
    status Pending 369-char remark

    Show marketing remark (369 chars)

    Adorable home with country kitchen, formal dining room AND HUGE GARAGE! Central heat & air, good garden spot, in well-kept area, Bismarck School District, situated on a nice level corner lot. Bungalow style home with vinyl siding and nice relaxing covered front porch. This would make a fantastic Rental Investment property. Call to schedule your appointment today!

20. 2017-04-18
    status Active 369-char remark

    Show marketing remark (369 chars)

    Adorable home with country kitchen, formal dining room AND HUGE GARAGE! Central heat & air, good garden spot, in well-kept area, Bismarck School District, situated on a nice level corner lot. Bungalow style home with vinyl siding and nice relaxing covered front porch. This would make a fantastic Rental Investment property. Call to schedule your appointment today!

21. 2017-04-12
    status Pending 369-char remark

    Show marketing remark (369 chars)

    Adorable home with country kitchen, formal dining room AND HUGE GARAGE! Central heat & air, good garden spot, in well-kept area, Bismarck School District, situated on a nice level corner lot. Bungalow style home with vinyl siding and nice relaxing covered front porch. This would make a fantastic Rental Investment property. Call to schedule your appointment today!

22. 2017-03-27
    price $27,000 369-char remark

    Show marketing remark (369 chars)

    Adorable home with country kitchen, formal dining room AND HUGE GARAGE! Central heat & air, good garden spot, in well-kept area, Bismarck School District, situated on a nice level corner lot. Bungalow style home with vinyl siding and nice relaxing covered front porch. This would make a fantastic Rental Investment property. Call to schedule your appointment today!

23. 2017-02-24
    listed $28,800 Active 369-char remark

    Show marketing remark (369 chars)

    Adorable home with country kitchen, formal dining room AND HUGE GARAGE! Central heat & air, good garden spot, in well-kept area, Bismarck School District, situated on a nice level corner lot. Bungalow style home with vinyl siding and nice relaxing covered front porch. This would make a fantastic Rental Investment property. Call to schedule your appointment today!

24. 2016-05-20
    price $49,900
25. 2016-04-26
    price $54,900

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

Tax reassessment forecast MO · Resets to sale price

• Current annual tax: $705 · $59/mo
• Projected year-2 tax: $824 · $69/mo
• Expected delta: +$118/yr (+$10/mo · 16.8%)

ⓘ 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 4/10 Moderate
• 🌡 Heat 4/10 Moderate 7 d/yr ≥104°F today · 21 d/yr by 30 yrs out
• 💨 Wind 2/10 Low 100% chance of damaging wind over 30 yrs
• 🫁 Air quality 2/10 Low 0 unhealthy d/yr today · 1 by 30 yrs out

Taxation est. · year 1

• Rental income: $12,354
• − Mortgage interest: −$4,756
• − Property taxes: −$705
• − Insurance: −$424
• − Repairs & maintenance: −$988
• − Management: −$988
• − Depreciation: −$2,470
• Taxable income: $2,022
• Est. tax owed @ 24.0%: −$485
• After-tax cash flow: $2,802/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: Bismarck R-V
• NCES district ID: 2905130
• Math proficiency: 18% ▼ -14.00%
• Reading proficiency: 31% ▼ -6.00%
• Median HH income: $37,135
• Composite: 20.36/100
• National rank: #8602
• State rank: #292 of 324 in MO

Livability — Bismarck

• Score: 58/100
• State rank: #583
• US rank: #20759

Category grades

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

Schools grade is shown separately in the Schools card above.

Census & demographics

• Census place: Bismarck, MO
• Population (ZIP): 3,507

Population outlook (St. Francois County) Hauer SSP2

• Today (2025): 68,683 people
• By 2030: 69,574 · +1.3%
• By 2040: 70,665 · +2.9%
• By 2050: 70,708 · +2.9%
• By 2075: 67,917 · -1.1%
• By 2100: 56,563 · -17.6%

Race, ethnicity, and origin ACS 2023

• Neighborhood character: Predominantly White (90%)
• Race & ethnicity: White 90% Two or more races 5% Native American 3% Hispanic / Latino 2%
• Common ancestry: Slovak 5% Lithuanian 4% Italian 2%
• Foreign-born: 2% · Canada, Jamaica
• Languages at home: 99% English-only · German/W. Germanic 1%

Political lean MEDSL · St. Francois

• 2024 margin: Solid R (+51.4) · D 23.8% · R 75.2%
• 2008→2024 swing: -46.8pp toward R · 2008: -4.6pp · 2024: -51.4pp
• All cycles: 2024: R+51.4 2020: R+48.1 2016: R+45.4 2012: R+19.5 2008: R+4.6

Not yet ingested

• Civics: —

Market trends

• HPI YoY: ▲ 61.65%
• Current HPI: 320.8335
• Rent YoY: —
• Metro: —
• State GDP YoY: ▲ 1.84%
• F500 in state: 20

Industry mix (Fortune 500 HQ in MO)

Industry	F500 HQs	Revenue
▸Healthcare	1	$163B
▸Insurance	1	$21B
▸Industrial Technology	1	$17B
▸Retail	1	$16B
▸Industrial Distribution	1	$10B
▸Utilities	1	$9B

Price history

+54.6% since first listed

11 events — show timeline

• 2026-05-29 Listed $84,900 MARIS as Distributed by MLS Grid
• 2022-01-21 Sold (Public Records) — Public Records
• 2017-06-02 Sold (MLS) — MARIS as Distributed by MLS Grid
• 2017-04-27 Price Changed $25,200 MARIS as Distributed by MLS Grid
• 2017-04-27 Pending — MARIS as Distributed by MLS Grid
• 2017-04-18 Relisted — MARIS as Distributed by MLS Grid
• 2017-04-12 Pending — MARIS as Distributed by MLS Grid
• 2017-03-27 Price Changed $27,000 MARIS as Distributed by MLS Grid
• 2017-02-24 Listed $28,800 MARIS as Distributed by MLS Grid
• 2016-05-20 Price Changed $49,900 MARIS as Distributed by MLS Grid
• 2016-04-26 Price Changed $54,900 MARIS as Distributed by MLS Grid

Property tax history

+3.0%/yr

Latest (2025): $705 · +8.4% YoY. Source: county tax records.