21 Lafayette Dr · Columbus, GA 31903

$58,000

3 bd · 1.0 ba · 1,248 sqft · SingleFamily public records · 126 Days on market

Built 1952 0.45 ac lot $46/sqft · 17% below area Est $70k · 17% under

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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 +30.0/30.0
• ARV discount +15.0/15.0
• 1% rule +10.0/10.0
• DSCR +10.0/10.0
• Livability +3.2/5.0
• Rent growth +3.0/5.0
• Condition / age +2.5/5.0
• Schools +2.2/10.0
• Appreciation +0.0/10.0

Listing remarks MLS

Stable Income-Producing Investment with ARV Upside in Benning Hills! 3-bedroom, 1-bath ranch-style asset offers 1,248 sq ft of efficient single-level living. This property is a proven income producer, making it an excellent buy-and-hold opportunity with immediate cash flow. The functional layout, full second bath, and ranch design appeal to long-term tenants and help keep maintenance manageable. Located in the established Benning Hills area with convenient access to Ft Benning, shopping, and neighborhood amenities. With solid fundamentals and promising ARV potential, this property offers investors the opportunity to enjoy steady income today while positioning for future value growth.

Key facts

• Ranch design
• Single level living
• Full second bath

Tags

• SINGLE LEVEL LIVING
• FULL SECOND BATH
• RANCH DESIGN
• ESTABLISHED BENNING HILLS AREA
• NEIGHBORHOOD AMENITIES

What this means for you Summary

Snapshot

• This is a 3-bed/1.0-bath single-family listed at $58k.

Deal economics

• At list price, monthly cash flow is $448 ($5k/yr) — positive.
• The deal already cash-flows at list — no discount required.
• Meets the 1% rule at list price ($1k rent vs $58k).
• Recommended offer: $51k (12.0% below list) — sets the bar for market timing.
• Cap rate 15.6% vs local median 4.7% in Columbus — 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 64/100 on livability (#254 in GA) — a middle-class / working-renter tenant base. Strengths: cost of living A+, housing A+, health & safety B; Watch: amenities D+, schools F, crime F.
• Muscogee County (urban): math 21% / reading 30% proficiency, ranked #120 of 174 in GA (top 69%) — low school quality limits family demand, transient renter base, plan for 1-2y turnover; 61% free/reduced lunch — lower-income household profile, screen leases tightly.
• Market conditions: Rents rising (+1.8%/yr); 100 active listings in the ZIP; 21 comparable units currently listed for rent nearby; rentals at typical pace (median 22d on market — plan ~3-4 weeks tenant-placement turnaround); 43% of comp listings sitting > 30 days — soft ceiling on asking rent; lower-income renter base — watch delinquency; 291 units permitted in Muscogee County in 2024 (30 in 5+ unit buildings).
• This rent runs 37% of the median local income ($32k/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 $401 of loan paydown is wiped out by about $2k of value loss. Plan a longer hold.
• Muscogee County population projected at +15% by 2050 — modest demand growth; plan on rents tracking national, not racing it.
• At projected returns (-3.0% appreciation + 1.8% rent growth), your $16k cash investment doubles in ~4 years — after that, you're playing with house money.

Negotiation context

• It's been on market 126 days — a 12% lower offer ($51k) 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 1952 — expect roof / HVAC / electrical / plumbing capex.
• Climate carrying-cost: major wind risk, 76% chance of damaging wind over 30y; extreme-heat days projected 7→18/yr by 2055 (HVAC capex compounding) — expect insurance premiums to compound above CPI over the hold.

Recommended offer $51,040 (12.0% below list)

Questions for the listing agent

1. It's been on market 126 days. Have you received any prior offers? Is the seller open to a 12% concession, seller financing, or rate buy-down credit?
2. Built in 1952 — when were the roof, HVAC, electrical panel, plumbing, and water heater last replaced?
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 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?
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. 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.
8. 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.
9. 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: 1.74% ✓
• Cap rate: 15.57%
• Cash-on-cash: 33.13%
• DSCR: 2.47
• GRM: 4.8

CMA / ARV

• ARV (median comp): $70,198
• List price: $58,000
• Delta: -17.38%
• 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
160 Collins Dr	0.15mi	3/1.0	1,200 (-4%)	4mo	$40,000	$33	84
198 Collins Dr	0.14mi	3/1.0	1,161 (-7%)	4mo	$53,000	$46	79
34 Meloy Dr	0.22mi	3/2.0	1,240 (-1%)	9mo	$119,500	$96	77
64 Munson Dr	0.32mi	2/2.0 (-1)	1,174 (-6%)	2mo	$57,836	$49	65
257 Robert E Lee Dr	0.24mi	3/1.0	1,144 (-8%)	13mo	$80,000	$70	64
101 Meloy Dr	0.29mi	3/2.0	1,188 (-5%)	12mo	$94,000	$79	64
125 Engineer Dr	0.25mi	2/1.0 (-1)	1,148 (-8%)	8mo	$60,000	$52	64
132 Ticknor Dr	0.65mi	3/1.0	1,308 (+5%)	2mo	$126,530	$97	60
31 Cantrell Dr	0.48mi	3/1.0	1,111 (-11%)	3mo	$146,000	$131	57
20 Benning Dell Dr	0.22mi	4/2.0 (+1)	1,388 (+11%)	8mo	$165,000	$119	55
2203 Shelby St	0.54mi	3/1.5	1,162 (-7%)	11mo	$65,000	$56	52
131 Ticknor Dr	0.61mi	2/1.0 (-1)	1,064 (-15%)	17mo	$55,000	$52	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 · 1.82% rent growth · sell at horizon

5-year hold

• IRR: 27.0%
• Equity multiple: 2.11×
• Total profit: $17,957
• Equity at exit: $8,648

10-year hold

• IRR: 33.9%
• Equity multiple: 3.93×
• Total profit: $47,598
• Equity at exit: $5,015

Cash invested: $16,240 (down + closing). Projections, not guarantees.

Landlord ↔ Tenant lean methodology

• Overall (STATE): 90 Strongly Landlord-Friendly
• State Georgia: 90 Strongly Landlord-Friendly · R+3
• County: — inherits STATE
• City: — inherits STATE

Magistrate court evictions in 10-30 days; no rent control; preempted; few tenant protections.

Methodology + full state rankings →

ZIP-level market 31903

• Home prices YoY: -14.5%
• Rents YoY: 1.8%
• Active inventory: 100
• Price-to-rent: 4.8×

Monthly cashflow live

• Estimated rent: $1,006 high
• Mortgage (P&I): −$304
• Tax from tax record: −$18 /mo · $221/yr
• Insurance: −$24
• HOA: −$0
• Vacancy / Maint / Mgmt: −$211
• Net cashflow: $448

Break-even live

Break-even rent $439

Max offer price $58,000

Occupancy floor 50%

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: $14,500
• Closing costs: $1,740
• Reserves months: —
• Total cash needed: —

Rent comps 21 comps

Address	Beds	Baths	Sqft	Rent	$/sqft	DOM	Units	Dist
4 Dean Dr Columbus, GA	3.0	1.5	1200	$1,050	$0.88	14d	1	0.11mi
61 Lanier Dr Columbus, GA	3.0	1.0	896	$875	$0.98	14d	1	0.14mi
58 Stonewall Dr Columbus, GA	3.0	1.0	1002	$1,000	$1.00	44d	1	0.26mi
171 Munson Dr Columbus, GA	2.0	1.0	780	$800	$1.03	21d	1	0.32mi
1 Engineer Dr Unit H1 Columbus, GA	2.0	1.0	816	$850	$1.04	44d	1	0.34mi
50 Eddy Dr Columbus, GA	3.0	1.0	1348	$900	$0.67	44d	1	0.34mi
88 Infantry Dr Columbus, GA	2.0	1.0	1122	$900	$0.80	44d	1	0.38mi
48 Douglas St Columbus, GA	3.0	1.0	1038	$980	$0.94	14d	1	0.62mi
25 Mason Dr Columbus, GA	3.0	1.0	1038	$1,100	$1.06	21d	1	0.66mi
121 Torch Hill Rd Columbus, GA	2.0	1.0	936	$825	$0.88	44d	1	0.71mi
76 Mathews St Columbus, GA	3.0	2.0	1100	$1,100	$1.00	14d	1	0.74mi
1459 Ivan Ave Columbus, GA	3.0	1.0	1003	$975	$0.97	44d	1	1.24mi
2354 Banks Ave Unit 1 Columbus, GA	2.0	1.0	942	$725	$0.77	14d	1	1.27mi
3122 Meade St Unit 1 Columbus, GA	2.0	1.0	949	$725	$0.76	14d	1	1.30mi
1414 Foye Ave Columbus, GA	2.0	1.0	1021	$895	$0.88	14d	1	1.35mi
2329 S Lumpkin Rd Columbus, GA	2.0	1.0	816	$850	$1.04	44d	1	1.35mi
2051 Somerset Ave Columbus, GA	3.0	1.0	1092	$1,100	$1.01	44d	1	1.36mi
4225 Alpine Dr Columbus, GA	2.0	1.0	1205	$767	$0.64	14d	1	1.37mi
3053 Blan St Columbus, GA	2.0	1.0	868	$875	$1.01	14d	1	1.46mi
4614 Old Cusseta Rd Columbus, GA	3.0	1.0	948	$1,250	$1.32	14d	1	1.49mi
3028 Meade St Columbus, GA	2.0	1.0	1016	$950	$0.94	44d	1	1.49mi

Listing history 21 events

1. 2026-06-18
   days on market $58,000 Active 126 DOM
2. 2026-06-17
   days on market $58,000 Active 125 DOM
3. 2026-06-16
   days on market $58,000 Active 124 DOM
4. 2026-06-15
   days on market $58,000 Active 123 DOM
5. 2026-06-14
   days on market $58,000 Active 121 DOM
6. 2026-06-13
   days on market $58,000 Active 120 DOM
7. 2026-06-10
   days on market $58,000 Active 118 DOM
8. 2026-06-09
   days on market $58,000 Active 117 DOM
9. 2026-06-08
   days on market $58,000 Active 116 DOM
10. 2026-06-07
    days on market $58,000 Active 115 DOM
11. 2026-06-05
    days on market $58,000 Active 112 DOM
12. 2026-06-03
    days on market $58,000 Active 111 DOM
13. 2026-06-02
    days on market $58,000 Active 110 DOM
14. 2026-06-01
    days on market $58,000 Active 109 DOM
15. 2026-05-31
    days on market $58,000 Active 108 DOM
16. 2026-05-30
    days on market $58,000 Active 107 DOM
17. 2026-04-28
    status Active 693-char remark

    Show marketing remark (693 chars)

    Stable Income-Producing Investment with ARV Upside in Benning Hills! 3-bedroom, 1-bath ranch-style asset offers 1,248 sq ft of efficient single-level living. This property is a proven income producer, making it an excellent buy-and-hold opportunity with immediate cash flow. The functional layout, full second bath, and ranch design appeal to long-term tenants and help keep maintenance manageable. Located in the established Benning Hills area with convenient access to Ft Benning, shopping, and neighborhood amenities. With solid fundamentals and promising ARV potential, this property offers investors the opportunity to enjoy steady income today while positioning for future value growth.

18. 2026-04-21
    status Pending 693-char remark

    Show marketing remark (693 chars)

    Stable Income-Producing Investment with ARV Upside in Benning Hills! 3-bedroom, 1-bath ranch-style asset offers 1,248 sq ft of efficient single-level living. This property is a proven income producer, making it an excellent buy-and-hold opportunity with immediate cash flow. The functional layout, full second bath, and ranch design appeal to long-term tenants and help keep maintenance manageable. Located in the established Benning Hills area with convenient access to Ft Benning, shopping, and neighborhood amenities. With solid fundamentals and promising ARV potential, this property offers investors the opportunity to enjoy steady income today while positioning for future value growth.

19. 2026-03-25
    price $58,000 693-char remark

    Show marketing remark (693 chars)

    Stable Income-Producing Investment with ARV Upside in Benning Hills! 3-bedroom, 1-bath ranch-style asset offers 1,248 sq ft of efficient single-level living. This property is a proven income producer, making it an excellent buy-and-hold opportunity with immediate cash flow. The functional layout, full second bath, and ranch design appeal to long-term tenants and help keep maintenance manageable. Located in the established Benning Hills area with convenient access to Ft Benning, shopping, and neighborhood amenities. With solid fundamentals and promising ARV potential, this property offers investors the opportunity to enjoy steady income today while positioning for future value growth.

20. 2026-02-07
    listed $60,000 Active 693-char remark

    Show marketing remark (693 chars)

    Stable Income-Producing Investment with ARV Upside in Benning Hills! 3-bedroom, 1-bath ranch-style asset offers 1,248 sq ft of efficient single-level living. This property is a proven income producer, making it an excellent buy-and-hold opportunity with immediate cash flow. The functional layout, full second bath, and ranch design appeal to long-term tenants and help keep maintenance manageable. Located in the established Benning Hills area with convenient access to Ft Benning, shopping, and neighborhood amenities. With solid fundamentals and promising ARV potential, this property offers investors the opportunity to enjoy steady income today while positioning for future value growth.

21. 2017-03-07
    listed $15,000

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

Tax reassessment forecast GA · Resets to sale price

• Current annual tax: $221 · $18/mo
• Projected year-2 tax: $534 · $44/mo
• Expected delta: +$313/yr (+$26/mo · 141.5%)

ⓘ 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 7/10 Severe 7 d/yr ≥108°F today · 18 d/yr by 30 yrs out
• 💨 Wind 6/10 Major 76% chance of damaging wind over 30 yrs
• 🫁 Air quality 4/10 Moderate 4 unhealthy d/yr today · 5 by 30 yrs out

Taxation est. · year 1

• Rental income: $12,077
• − Mortgage interest: −$3,249
• − Property taxes: −$221
• − Insurance: −$290
• − Repairs & maintenance: −$966
• − Management: −$966
• − Depreciation: −$1,687
• Taxable income: $4,697
• Est. tax owed @ 24.0%: −$1,127
• After-tax cash flow: $4,253/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: Muscogee County
• NCES district ID: 1303870
• Math proficiency: 21% ▼ -11.00%
• Reading proficiency: 30% ▼ -7.00%
• Median HH income: $41,176
• Composite: 21.6/100
• National rank: #8297
• State rank: #120 of 174 in GA

Livability — Columbus

• Score: 64/100
• State rank: #254
• US rank: #14102

Category grades

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

Schools grade is shown separately in the Schools card above.

Census & demographics

• Census place: Columbus, GA
• County: Muscogee County · 180,764 people
• City population: 180,764
• Metro: Columbus, GA-AL
• Population (ZIP): 20,644
• Household income: $32,401
• Rent vs Own: 71.9% rent · 28.1% own
• Severe rent burden: 1878.0

Population outlook (Muscogee County) Hauer SSP2

• Today (2025): 216,729 people
• By 2030: 224,504 · +3.6%
• By 2040: 238,318 · +10.0%
• By 2050: 249,027 · +14.9%
• By 2075: 264,862 · +22.2%
• By 2100: 254,786 · +17.6%

Race, ethnicity, and origin ACS 2023

• Neighborhood character: Predominantly Black (77%)
• Race & ethnicity: Black 77% Hispanic / Latino 11% White 9% Two or more races 3% Asian 1%
• Hispanic origin (detail): Mexican 6% Puerto Rican 2%
• Foreign-born: 6% · Canada
• Languages at home: 88% English-only · Spanish 10% Other Indo-European 1%

Political lean MEDSL · Muscogee

• 2024 margin: Strong D (+23.4) · D 61.4% · R 38.0%
• 2008→2024 swing: +3.7pp toward D · 2008: 19.7pp · 2024: 23.4pp
• All cycles: 2024: D+23.4 2020: D+24.0 2016: D+18.6 2012: D+21.3 2008: D+19.7

Not yet ingested

• Civics: —

Market trends

• HPI YoY: ▼ -22.30%
• Current HPI: 131.4761
• Rent YoY: ▲ 1.82%
• Metro: Columbus, GA-AL
• State GDP YoY: ▲ 2.66%
• F500 in state: 28

Industry mix (Fortune 500 HQ in GA)

Industry	F500 HQs	Revenue
▸Paper / Packaging	2	$29B
▸Retail	1	$160B
▸Transportation / Logistics	1	$91B
▸Airlines	1	$62B
▸Consumer Goods	1	$47B
▸Utilities	1	$25B

Price history

+286.7% since first listed

5 events — show timeline

• 2026-04-28 Relisted — CBOR
• 2026-04-21 Pending — CBOR
• 2026-03-25 Price Changed $58,000 CBOR
• 2026-02-07 Listed $60,000 CBOR
• 2017-03-07 Listed $15,000 CBOR

Property tax history

-9.2%/yr

Latest (2025): $221 · -15.0% YoY. Source: county tax records.