221 Old Bramwell Rd

Bluefield, WV 24701

$15,000D+

3 bd · 1.0 ba · 1,120 sqft · Built 1920 · SingleFamily · Active · 218 DOM

Cashflow @ list (25.0% down · 7.5%)

• Estimated rent: $1,037/mo
• Mortgage (P&I): −$79
• Tax + insurance: −$78
• HOA: −$0
• Vac / Maint / Mgmt: −$218
• Net cashflow: $662/mo
• Annual: $7,947/yr
• Cap rate: 64.59%
• Cash-on-cash: 208.20%
• DSCR: 10.26
• 1% rule: 6.91%
• Cash to close: $4,200

Investor read

• This is a 3-bed/1.0-bath single-family listed at $15k.
• At list price, monthly cash flow is $662 ($8k/yr) — positive.
• The deal already cash-flows at list — no discount required.
• Meets the 1% rule at list price ($1k rent vs $15k).
• It's been on market 218 days — a 12% lower offer ($13k) is reasonable based on typical stale-listing flexibility.
• Recommended offer: $13k (12.0% below list) — sets the bar for market timing.
• In year one you build about $618 of equity ($104 loan paydown + $514 appreciation (3.4% local appreciation)).
• Location reads 56/100 on livability (#265 in WV) — a working-class tenant base; expect higher turnover. Strengths: cost of living A+, housing A+; Watch: crime D+, amenities F, commute F.
• Mercer County Schools (town): math 26% / reading 37% proficiency, ranked #28 of 55 in WV (top 51%) — families likely to look elsewhere, expect single-tenant / working-renter base with shorter leases.
• Zoned schools: Bluefield Intermediate School (math 24% / reading 34%, grade F, #258 of 377 statewide, top 68%, 289 students, 0% FRL); Bluefield Middle School (math 21% / reading 35%, grade F, #66 of 109 statewide, top 63%, 467 students, 0% FRL); Bluefield High School (math 22% / reading 47%, grade F, #42 of 110 statewide, top 47%, 608 students, 0% FRL) — zoned schools average 0% FRL vs 54% district-wide (54 pts lower); this property's tenant base skews higher-income than the district average.
• Watch-outs: flood insurance adds $66/mo; built in 1920 — expect roof / HVAC / electrical / plumbing capex.
• Market conditions: 49 active listings in the ZIP; 1 comparable units currently listed for rent nearby; 4 units permitted in Mercer County in 2024 (0 in 5+ unit buildings).
• Mercer County population projected at -18% by 2050 — secular population decline; favor cash flow + early exit over multi-decade hold.
• Current owner paid $12k; 20% above their basis — modest negotiation headroom, anchor on the comps not their cost.
• At projected returns (3.4% appreciation + 3.0% rent growth), your $4k cash investment doubles in ~1 year — after that, you're playing with house money.
• Climate carrying-cost: severe flood risk — expect insurance premiums to compound above CPI over the hold.
• Cap rate 64.6% vs local median 5.2% in Bluefield — 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.

Questions for listing agent

• It's been on market 218 days. Have you received any prior offers? Is the seller open to a 12% concession, seller financing, or rate buy-down credit?
• Built in 1920 — when were the roof, HVAC, electrical panel, plumbing, and water heater last replaced?
• What's the actual annual flood-insurance premium (NFIP or private), and is the property in a SFHA with mandatory coverage?
• 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 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?
• Crime grade is D 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?
• 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?