1644 Princess Helen Rd W · Mobile, AL 36618

$215,000

3 bd · 2.0 ba · 2,323 sqft · SingleFamily public records · 65 Days on market

Built 1980 10,476 sqft lot $93/sqft · 7% below area Est $232k · 7% under

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Why this score? — see what drove the D 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 +12.4/30.0
• ARV discount +10.8/15.0
• Livability +3.8/5.0
• DSCR +3.7/10.0
• 1% rule +2.8/10.0
• Rent growth +2.5/5.0
• Condition / age +2.5/5.0
• Schools +2.3/10.0
• Appreciation +0.0/10.0

Listing remarks MLS

Welcome to this fully renovated home featuring a newer roof and brand new AC, offering a comfortable and functional layout throughout. This inviting property includes two separate living areas, a spacious laundry room, and a large garage with plenty of room for storage or workspace. The kitchen offers custom shelving for added organization and style, while the primary suite features a beautiful custom-tiled shower. With its thoughtful updates and generous interior space, this move-in-ready home is designed for both everyday comfort and easy living.

Key facts

• Large garage
• Custom shelving
• Newer roof

Tags

• NEWER ROOF
• BRAND NEW AC
• TWO SEPARATE LIVING AREAS
• SPACIOUS LAUNDRY ROOM
• LARGE GARAGE
• CUSTOM SHELVING

What this means for you Summary

Snapshot

• This is a 3-bed/2.0-bath single-family listed at $215k.

Deal economics

• At list price, monthly cash flow is $-37 ($-439/yr) — negative.
• To cash-flow at today's rent, offer at most $209k (3.0% below list).
• To meet the 1% rule (rent ≥ 1% of price), the offer needs to be $168k (22.0% below list).
• Recommended offer: $168k (22.0% below list) — sets the bar for 1% rule.
• Cap rate 6.1% vs local median 4.9% in Mobile — meaningfully above typical; check what's discounted (condition, days-on-market, listing class) to confirm the premium yield is real.

Location & tenants

• Location reads 75/100 on livability (#20 in AL, #4,262 nationally) — a middle-class / working-renter tenant base. Strengths: commute A+, cost of living A+, housing A+; Watch: schools D-, crime F, employment D-.
• Mobile County (urban): math 15% / reading 39% proficiency, ranked #81 of 129 in AL (top 63%) — low school quality limits family demand, transient renter base, plan for 1-2y turnover; 67% free/reduced lunch — lower-income household profile, screen leases tightly.
• Market conditions: 99 active listings in the ZIP; 3 comparable units currently listed for rent nearby; rentals lingering (median 44d on market — plan ~5-8 weeks vacancy on turnover, expect pricing pressure); 67% of comp listings sitting > 30 days — soft ceiling on asking rent; 1,678 units permitted in Mobile County in 2024 (264 in 5+ unit buildings).
• This rent runs 33% of the median local income ($62k/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 $6k of value loss. Plan a longer hold.
• Mobile County population projected to shrink 8% by 2050 — rents likely to lag national; underwrite the cash flow, not the appreciation.

Negotiation context

• It's been on market 65 days — a 6% lower offer ($202k) is reasonable based on typical stale-listing flexibility.
• 2 sale attempts; this cycle's ask has dropped $25k (10%) from the opening price — seller is motivated, your offer sets the floor, not the list.
• Current owner paid $105k; list at $215k implies a 105% gain — meaningful room to come down on a strong offer.

Risks & watch-outs

• Climate carrying-cost: severe wind risk, 99% chance of damaging wind over 30y; extreme-heat days projected 7→21/yr by 2055 (HVAC capex compounding) — expect insurance premiums to compound above CPI over the hold.

Recommended offer $167,689 (22.0% below list)

Questions for the listing agent

1. What do current leases actually rent for vs. the listed asking? Can we see a recent rent roll and the last 12 months of T-12 income?
2. It's been on market 65 days. Have you received any prior offers? Is the seller open to a 22% concession, seller financing, or rate buy-down credit?
3. Why hasn't it sold? Are there any deal-killer items the seller is aware of (foundation, flood, title, zoning, code violations)?
4. Is there a deadline driving the sale (1031 exchange, divorce, estate, relocation)? That informs how much negotiation room exists.
5. 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?
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. The area grade is low — what's the realistic commute time and amenity access for the typical tenant pool here? Any planned neighborhood developments (good or bad) we should know about?
8. 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.
9. 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.
10. 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: 0.78% ✗
• Cap rate: 6.09%
• Cash-on-cash: -0.73%
• DSCR: 0.97
• GRM: 10.7

CMA / ARV

• ARV (median comp): $232,079
• List price: $215,000
• Delta: -7.36%
• Verdict: FAIR
• Comps: 20 within 1.0 mi

Show comp detail 9 sales within ~0.75 mi

Address	Dist	Beds/Ba	Sqft	Sold	Price	$/sf	Match
1629 Carlisle Dr W	0.08mi	4/2.0 (+1)	2,196 (-6%)	6mo	$244,000	$111	77
1524 Carlisle Dr E	0.31mi	4/2.0 (+1)	2,238 (-4%)	20mo	$256,000	$114	58
1501 Carlisle Dr E	0.36mi	4/2.0 (+1)	2,247 (-3%)	20mo	$162,500	$72	56
6661 Monarch Cir	0.72mi	4/2.0 (+1)	2,320 (-0%)	15mo	$351,216	$151	49
5769 Howells Ferry Rd	0.44mi	3/2.0	2,150 (-7%)	23mo	$191,900	$89	48
1351 Lucerne Dr	0.53mi	3/2.0	1,980 (-15%)	7mo	$195,000	$98	45
1314 Ridgewood Dr	0.56mi	3/2.0	1,976 (-15%)	22mo	$205,000	$104	30
1900 Foxfire Rd	0.72mi	4/3.0 (+1)	2,647 (+14%)	7mo	$259,000	$98	28
6300 WOODCREST Dr	0.72mi	4/2.0 (+1)	1,980 (-15%)	11mo	$205,500	$104	28

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 · 3.0% rent growth · sell at horizon

5-year hold

• IRR: -17.5%
• Equity multiple: 0.38×
• Total profit: $-37,220
• Equity at exit: $32,057

10-year hold

• IRR: -9.6%
• Equity multiple: 0.41×
• Total profit: $-35,618
• Equity at exit: $18,589

Cash invested: $60,200 (down + closing). Projections, not guarantees.

Landlord ↔ Tenant lean methodology

• Overall (STATE): 90 Strongly Landlord-Friendly
• State Alabama: 90 Strongly Landlord-Friendly · R+15
• County: — inherits STATE
• City: — inherits STATE

Right-to-evict in 7 days for non-payment; no rent control; preempted statewide; courts move quickly.

Methodology + full state rankings →

ZIP-level market 36618

• Home prices YoY: -22.8%
• Active inventory: 99
• Price-to-rent: 10.7×

Monthly cashflow live

• Estimated rent: $1,677 medium
• Mortgage (P&I): −$1,127
• Tax from tax record: −$144 /mo · $1,731/yr
• Insurance: −$90
• HOA: −$0
• Vacancy / Maint / Mgmt: −$352
• Net cashflow: $-37

Break-even live

Break-even rent $1,723

Max offer price $208,539

Occupancy floor 97%

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: $53,750
• Closing costs: $6,450
• Reserves months: —
• Total cash needed: —

Rent comps 3 comps

Address	Beds	Baths	Sqft	Rent	$/sqft	DOM	Units	Dist
6017 Mission Hills Ct Mobile, AL	4.0	3.0	2407	$1,950	$0.81	43d	1	0.25mi
5520 Vienna Ave Mobile, AL	3.0	2.0	1745	$1,395	$0.80	43d	1	0.73mi
5855 Woodvale Dr Mobile, AL	3.0	1.5	1712	$1,350	$0.79	21d	1	1.13mi

Listing history 7 events

1. 2026-04-26
   price $215,000 558-char remark

   Show marketing remark (558 chars)

   Welcome to this fully renovated home featuring a newer roof and brand new AC, offering a comfortable and functional layout throughout. This inviting property includes two separate living areas, a spacious laundry room, and a large garage with plenty of room for storage or workspace. The kitchen offers custom shelving for added organization and style, while the primary suite features a beautiful custom-tiled shower. With its thoughtful updates and generous interior space, this move-in-ready home is designed for both everyday comfort and easy living.

2. 2026-04-03
   price $224,900 558-char remark

   Show marketing remark (558 chars)

   Welcome to this fully renovated home featuring a newer roof and brand new AC, offering a comfortable and functional layout throughout. This inviting property includes two separate living areas, a spacious laundry room, and a large garage with plenty of room for storage or workspace. The kitchen offers custom shelving for added organization and style, while the primary suite features a beautiful custom-tiled shower. With its thoughtful updates and generous interior space, this move-in-ready home is designed for both everyday comfort and easy living.

3. 2026-03-23
   listed $239,900 Active 558-char remark

   Show marketing remark (558 chars)

   Welcome to this fully renovated home featuring a newer roof and brand new AC, offering a comfortable and functional layout throughout. This inviting property includes two separate living areas, a spacious laundry room, and a large garage with plenty of room for storage or workspace. The kitchen offers custom shelving for added organization and style, while the primary suite features a beautiful custom-tiled shower. With its thoughtful updates and generous interior space, this move-in-ready home is designed for both everyday comfort and easy living.

4. 2025-10-01
   soldstatus $105,000
5. 2025-09-25
   soldstatus $105,000 Closed 396-char remark

   Show marketing remark (396 chars)

   Calling all investors, flippers and DIY enthusiasts! This 3-bedroom 3 bath home offers solid bones and endless potential. Featuring a garage, fireplace and newer roof. With some TLC you can transform this diamond in the rough into a beautiful home or profitable investment. Don't miss this opportunity. Property sold as is, where is. Buyer and buyer's broker to verify all items deemed important.

6. 2025-08-29
   status Pending 396-char remark

   Show marketing remark (396 chars)

   Calling all investors, flippers and DIY enthusiasts! This 3-bedroom 3 bath home offers solid bones and endless potential. Featuring a garage, fireplace and newer roof. With some TLC you can transform this diamond in the rough into a beautiful home or profitable investment. Don't miss this opportunity. Property sold as is, where is. Buyer and buyer's broker to verify all items deemed important.

7. 2025-08-27
   listed $110,000 Active 396-char remark

   Show marketing remark (396 chars)

   Calling all investors, flippers and DIY enthusiasts! This 3-bedroom 3 bath home offers solid bones and endless potential. Featuring a garage, fireplace and newer roof. With some TLC you can transform this diamond in the rough into a beautiful home or profitable investment. Don't miss this opportunity. Property sold as is, where is. Buyer and buyer's broker to verify all items deemed important.

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

Tax reassessment forecast AL · Resets to sale price

• Current annual tax: $1,731 · $144/mo
• Projected year-2 tax: $1,731 · $144/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 3/10 Moderate
• 🌡 Heat 9/10 Extreme 7 d/yr ≥104°F today · 21 d/yr by 30 yrs out
• 💨 Wind 9/10 Extreme 99% chance of damaging wind over 30 yrs
• 🫁 Air quality 1/10 Low 0 unhealthy d/yr today · 0 by 30 yrs out

Taxation est. · year 1

• Rental income: $20,123
• − Mortgage interest: −$12,043
• − Property taxes: −$1,731
• − Insurance: −$1,075
• − Repairs & maintenance: −$1,610
• − Management: −$1,610
• − Depreciation: −$6,255
• Taxable loss: −$4,201
• Est. tax savings @ 24.0%: +$1,008
• After-tax cash flow: $569/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: Mobile County
• NCES district ID: 0102370
• Math proficiency: 15% ▼ -28.00%
• Reading proficiency: 39% ▬ 0.00%
• Median HH income: $42,455
• Composite: 22.9/100
• National rank: #8002
• State rank: #81 of 129 in AL

Livability — Mobile

• Score: 75/100
• State rank: #20
• US rank: #4262

Category grades

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

Schools grade is shown separately in the Schools card above.

Census & demographics

• Census place: Mobile, AL
• County: Mobile County · 246,577 people
• City population: 205,729
• Metro: Mobile, AL
• Population (ZIP): 17,892
• Household income: $61,550
• Rent vs Own: 24.7% rent · 75.3% own
• Severe rent burden: 542.0

Population outlook (Mobile County) Hauer SSP2

• Today (2025): 415,303 people
• By 2030: 411,755 · -0.9%
• By 2040: 399,670 · -3.8%
• By 2050: 382,616 · -7.9%
• By 2075: 337,353 · -18.8%
• By 2100: 283,391 · -31.8%

Race, ethnicity, and origin ACS 2023

• Neighborhood character: Predominantly Black (65%)
• Race & ethnicity: Black 65% White 27% Two or more races 3% Asian 3% Hispanic / Latino 2%
• Common ancestry: Slovak 1% Serbian 1% Romanian 0%
• Foreign-born: 4% · Canada, China
• Languages at home: 94% English-only · Spanish 3% Chinese 2%

Political lean MEDSL · Mobile

• 2024 margin: R (+16.4) · D 41.3% · R 57.7%
• 2008→2024 swing: -7.7pp toward R · 2008: -8.7pp · 2024: -16.4pp
• All cycles: 2024: R+16.4 2020: R+11.9 2016: R+13.9 2012: R+9.3 2008: R+8.7

Not yet ingested

• Civics: —

Market trends

• HPI YoY: ▼ -64.54%
• Current HPI: 218.7133
• Rent YoY: —
• Metro: Mobile, AL
• State GDP YoY: ▲ 2.94%
• F500 in state: 4

Industry mix (Fortune 500 HQ in AL)

Industry	F500 HQs	Revenue
▸Financial Services	1	$8B
▸Healthcare	1	$5B

Price history

+95.5% since first listed

7 events — show timeline

• 2026-04-26 Price Changed $215,000 GCMLS AL
• 2026-04-03 Price Changed $224,900 GCMLS AL
• 2026-03-23 Listed $239,900 GCMLS AL
• 2025-10-01 Sold (Public Records) $105,000 Public Records
• 2025-09-25 Sold (MLS) $105,000 GCMLS AL
• 2025-08-29 Pending — GCMLS AL
• 2025-08-27 Listed $110,000 GCMLS AL

Property tax history

+13.0%/yr

Latest (2025): $1,731 · +33.4% YoY. Source: county tax records.