225 S Cook Ave · Trenton, NJ 08629

$149,900

3 bd · 1.0 ba · 1,342 sqft · SingleFamily public records · 17 Days on market

Built 1920 2,862 sqft 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 +30.0/30.0
• 1% rule +10.0/10.0
• DSCR +10.0/10.0
• ARV discount +7.5/15.0
• Livability +3.8/5.0
• Rent growth +2.5/5.0
• Condition / age +2.5/5.0
• Schools +0.7/10.0
• Appreciation +0.0/10.0

Listing remarks MLS

* * * Great single family home in the city of Trenton. WON'T LAST!!! Must see it!

Key facts

• Back yard
• Spacious kitchen
• Full basement

Tags

• SPACIOUS KITCHEN
• BACK YARD
• FULL BASEMENT
• WALK-UP ATTIC SPACE

What this means for you Summary

Snapshot

• This is a 3-bed/1.0-bath single-family listed at $150k.

Deal economics

• At list price, monthly cash flow is $652 ($8k/yr) — positive.
• The deal already cash-flows at list — no discount required.
• Meets the 1% rule at list price ($2k rent vs $150k).
• Recommended offer: $148k (1.5% below list) — sets the bar for market timing.
• Cap rate 11.5% vs local median 6.3% in Trenton — 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 76/100 on livability (#133 in NJ, #3,533 nationally) — a middle-class / working-renter tenant base. Strengths: amenities A+, commute A+, health & safety A+; Watch: schools F, crime F, employment F.
• Trenton Public School District (urban): math 2% / reading 16% proficiency, ranked #471 of 472 in NJ (top 100%) — low school quality limits family demand, transient renter base, plan for 1-2y turnover; 80% free/reduced lunch — lower-income household profile, screen leases tightly.
• Market conditions: 24 active listings in the ZIP; 40 comparable units currently listed for rent nearby; rentals at typical pace (median 23d on market — plan ~3-4 weeks tenant-placement turnaround); 2,256 units permitted in Mercer County in 2024 (1,303 in 5+ unit buildings).

Forward outlook

• Local home prices are declining (-3.0%/yr); year-one equity from $1k of loan paydown is wiped out by about $4k of value loss. Plan a longer hold.
• Mercer County population projected at +4% by 2050 — modest demand growth; plan on rents tracking national, not racing it.
• At projected returns (-3.0% appreciation + 3.0% rent growth), your $42k cash investment doubles in ~7 years — after that, you're playing with house money.

Negotiation context

• It's been on market 17 days — a 2% lower offer ($148k) is reasonable based on typical stale-listing flexibility.
• 5 sale attempts since 25y 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 1920 — expect roof / HVAC / electrical / plumbing capex.
• Climate carrying-cost: major flood risk; 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 $147,651 (1.5% below list)

Questions for the listing agent

1. Built in 1920 — 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. 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?
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. 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: 1.53% ✓
• Cap rate: 11.51%
• Cash-on-cash: 18.64%
• DSCR: 1.83
• GRM: 5.5

CMA / ARV

• ARV (on-the-fly): $327,448
• Comps found: 12

Show comp detail 12 sales within ~0.75 mi

Address	Dist	Beds/Ba	Sqft	Sold	Price	$/sf	Match
1040 Melrose Ave	0.58mi	3/1.0	1,344 (+0%)	7mo	$225,000	$167	67
825 Lyndale Ave	0.33mi	4/1.5 (+1)	1,443 (+8%)	1mo	$360,000	$249	64
877 Park Ave	0.40mi	3/2.0	1,406 (+5%)	7mo	$320,000	$228	64
288 S Logan Ave	0.45mi	3/2.0	1,360 (+1%)	12mo	$240,000	$176	63
156 Kent St	0.53mi	3/1.0	1,470 (+10%)	0mo	$208,000	$141	59
872 Revere Ave	0.39mi	3/1.0	1,200 (-11%)	8mo	$293,000	$244	57
326 Tindall Ave	0.72mi	3/1.0	1,411 (+5%)	2mo	$365,000	$259	56
307 Commonwealth Ave	0.49mi	3/1.0	1,480 (+10%)	8mo	$275,000	$186	54
537 Tindall Ave	0.70mi	3/2.0	1,334 (-1%)	11mo	$361,300	$271	54
1064 Revere Ave	0.63mi	4/2.0 (+1)	1,344 (+0%)	12mo	$340,000	$253	51
26 Beal St	0.75mi	4/1.0 (+1)	1,229 (-8%)	9mo	$315,000	$256	39
416 E Franklin St	0.74mi	3/2.0	1,524 (+14%)	1mo	$310,000	$203	38

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: 10.4%
• Equity multiple: 1.41×
• Total profit: $17,336
• Equity at exit: $22,351

10-year hold

• IRR: 19.6%
• Equity multiple: 2.64×
• Total profit: $68,996
• Equity at exit: $12,961

Cash invested: $41,972 (down + closing). Projections, not guarantees.

Landlord ↔ Tenant lean methodology

• Overall (STATE): 21 Tenant-Leaning
• State New Jersey: 21 Tenant-Leaning · D+6
• County: — inherits STATE
• City: — inherits STATE

Anti-eviction Act requires just-cause statewide; rent control in 100+ municipalities; one of the most tenant-friendly states.

Methodology + full state rankings →

ZIP-level market 08629

• Active inventory: 24
• Price-to-rent: 5.5×

Monthly cashflow live

• Estimated rent: $2,288 high
• Mortgage (P&I): −$786
• Tax from tax record: −$307 /mo · $3,687/yr
• Insurance: −$62
• HOA: −$0
• Vacancy / Maint / Mgmt: −$481
• Net cashflow: $652

Break-even live

Break-even rent $1,463

Max offer price $149,900

Occupancy floor 67%

Sensitivity live

Price	-10% $737	-5% $694	+0% $652	+5% $609	+10% $567
Rent	-10% $471	-5% $561	+0% $652	+5% $742	+10% $833
Rate	-1.0pp $727	-0.5pp $690	base $652	+0.5pp $613	+1.0pp $574

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: $37,475
• Closing costs: $4,497
• Reserves months: —
• Total cash needed: —

Rent comps 40 comps

Address	Beds	Baths	Sqft	Rent	$/sqft	DOM	Units	Dist
239 Ardmore Ave Trenton, NJ	4.0	2.0	1665	$2,750	$1.65	22d	1	0.06mi
417 Walnut Ave Trenton, NJ	3.0	1.0	992	$2,050	$2.07	22d	1	0.23mi
121 Columbus Ave Trenton, NJ	3.0	1.0	1050	$1,900	$1.81	22d	1	0.31mi
234 Walnut Ave Trenton, NJ	4.0	1.0	1480	$2,200	$1.49	22d	1	0.32mi
635 Chambers St Trenton, NJ	4.0	2.0	1312	$2,500	$1.91	15d	1	0.35mi
1165 E State St Trenton, NJ	3.0	1.0	900	$1,749	$1.94	15d	1	0.38mi
720 Monmouth St Unit 204 Trenton, NJ	2.0	1.0	1011	$1,750	$1.73	22d	1	0.41mi
428 Cleveland Ave Trenton, NJ	4.0	2.0	1400	$2,500	$1.79	22d	1	0.44mi
105 Walnut Ave Unit 1 Trenton, NJ	2.0	1.0	1200	$2,000	$1.67	22d	1	0.46mi
219 Woodlawn Ave Trenton, NJ	3.0	1.0	1456	$2,355	$1.62	15d	1	0.50mi
176 Division St Apt 106 Trenton, NJ	2.0	1.0	975	$1,700	$1.74	22d	1	0.65mi
340 Connecticut Ave Unit 2 Hamilton Township, NJ	3.0	1.0	1400	$2,850	$2.04	15d	1	0.65mi
340 Connecticut Ave Unit 1 Hamilton Township, NJ	2.0	1.0	1000	$2,500	$2.50	15d	1	0.65mi
42 Grant St Trenton, NJ	4.0	1.0	1000	$2,000	$2.00	15d	1	0.70mi
34 Southard St #2 Trenton, NJ	2.0	2.0	1808	$2,150	$1.19	22d	1	0.84mi
973 S Olden Ave Unit 2ND FLOOR Trenton, NJ	2.0	1.0	1664	$1,850	$1.11	22d	1	0.87mi
705 Anderson St Trenton, NJ	3.0	1.0	1132	$1,800	$1.59	15d	1	0.91mi
71 Clark St Trenton, NJ	1.0–2.0	1.0–2.0	975	$2,350	$2.41	15d	4	0.97mi
8 Joan Ter Trenton, NJ	3.0	2.0	1397	$3,250	$2.33	22d	1	0.98mi
255 Hollywood Dr Trenton, NJ	4.0	1.0	1650	$2,950	$1.79	22d	1	1.03mi
234 Howell St Trenton, NJ	3.0	3.0	1656	$3,600	$2.17	22d	1	1.05mi
203 Genesee St Unit 2 Trenton, NJ	2.0	1.0	1452	$1,700	$1.17	22d	1	1.06mi
1103 Division St Trenton, NJ	4.0	1.0	1296	$2,000	$1.54	22d	1	1.10mi
216 E State St Trenton, NJ	1.0–2.0	1.0	811	$1,895	$2.34	15d	2	1.11mi
21 Adella Ave Trenton, NJ	3.0	1.0	1280	$2,000	$1.56	15d	1	1.12mi
25 Adella Ave Trenton, NJ	3.0	1.0	1280	$2,050	$1.60	15d	1	1.12mi
125 Olive St Trenton, NJ	2.0–3.0	1.0–1.5	896	$1,392	$1.55	22d	1	1.14mi
416 Klagg Ave Trenton, NJ	3.0	1.0	1034	$2,300	$2.22	22d	1	1.15mi
134 Old Rose St Trenton, NJ	4.0	2.0	1212	$2,300	$1.90	22d	1	1.16mi
77 Race St Trenton, NJ	2.0	1.0	950	$1,700	$1.79	22d	1	1.20mi
210 Kuser Rd Trenton, NJ	3.0	1.5	1360	$2,700	$1.99	22d	1	1.21mi
1049 Genesee St Trenton, NJ	3.0	1.0	1270	$2,300	$1.81	22d	1	1.25mi
1132 Genesee St Unit 1132 Trenton, NJ	3.0	1.0	1198	$2,500	$2.09	22d	1	1.27mi
313 Home Ave Trenton, NJ	3.0	1.0	1112	$2,100	$1.89	15d	1	1.32mi
901 Brunswick Ave #7 Trenton, NJ	3.0	1.0	940	$2,800	$2.98	15d	1	1.37mi
1314 Princeton Ave Trenton, NJ	4.0	1.0	1092	$2,400	$2.20	15d	1	1.40mi
233 Virginia Ave Trenton, NJ	3.0	1.0	1302	$2,500	$1.92	14d	1	1.40mi
1078 Lalor St Unit 1 Trenton, NJ	2.0	1.0	1488	$1,895	$1.27	22d	1	1.41mi
1078 Lalor St Unit 2 Trenton, NJ	2.0	1.0	1488	$1,785	$1.20	22d	1	1.41mi
331 Ellis Ave Trenton, NJ	3.0	1.0	1190	$2,275	$1.91	22d	1	1.43mi

Listing history 15 events

1. 2025-06-17
   status Pending
2. 2025-05-30
   listed $149,900 Active
3. 2006-09-09
   soldstatus $150,000 83-char remark

   Show marketing remark (83 chars)

   * * * Great single family home in the city of Trenton. WON'T LAST!!! Must see it!

4. 2006-08-22
   soldstatus $150,000
5. 2006-08-09
   historical 83-char remark

   Show marketing remark (83 chars)

   * * * Great single family home in the city of Trenton. WON'T LAST!!! Must see it!

6. 2006-08-07
   listed $150,000 83-char remark

   Show marketing remark (83 chars)

   * * * Great single family home in the city of Trenton. WON'T LAST!!! Must see it!

7. 2006-06-30
   historical
8. 2006-03-30
   listed $159,000
9. 2005-10-20
   soldstatus $110,000
10. 2005-10-11
    soldstatus $110,000
11. 2005-07-06
    historical
12. 2005-05-17
    listed $110,000
13. 2001-07-31
    soldstatus $18,500
14. 2001-05-09
    listed $18,500
15. 1977-05-20
    soldstatus $21,000

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

Tax reassessment forecast NJ · Partial reset (capped growth)

• Current annual tax: $3,687 · $307/mo
• Projected year-2 tax: $3,710 · $309/mo
• Expected delta: +$23/yr (+$2/mo · 0.6%)

ⓘ Screening estimate from a state-policy table — verify with the county assessor before closing.

Climate risk First Street

• 🌊 Flood 6/10 Major FEMA zone X (unshaded) · 72% chance over 30 yrs
• 🔥 Wildfire 1/10 Low
• 🌡 Heat 6/10 Major 7 d/yr ≥102°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: $27,458
• − Mortgage interest: −$8,397
• − Property taxes: −$3,687
• − Insurance: −$750
• − Repairs & maintenance: −$2,197
• − Management: −$2,197
• − Depreciation: −$4,361
• Taxable income: $5,871
• Est. tax owed @ 24.0%: −$1,409
• After-tax cash flow: $6,413/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: Trenton Public School District
• NCES district ID: 3416290
• Math proficiency: 2% ▼ -8.00%
• Reading proficiency: 16% ▼ -4.00%
• Median HH income: $35,078
• Composite: 7.31/100
• National rank: #9956
• State rank: #471 of 472 in NJ

Livability — Trenton

• Score: 76/100
• State rank: #133
• US rank: #3533

Category grades

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

Schools grade is shown separately in the Schools card above.

Census & demographics

• Census place: Trenton, NJ
• City population: 177,819
• Population (ZIP): 13,015

Population outlook (Mercer County) Hauer SSP2

• Today (2025): 381,395 people
• By 2030: 384,640 · +0.9%
• By 2040: 391,431 · +2.6%
• By 2050: 397,845 · +4.3%
• By 2075: 417,281 · +9.4%
• By 2100: 420,327 · +10.2%

Race, ethnicity, and origin ACS 2023

• Neighborhood character: Diverse neighborhood (Simpson 0.61)
• Race & ethnicity: Hispanic / Latino 50% Black 36% White 11% Two or more races 6% Asian 2%
• Hispanic origin (detail): Mexican 2% Puerto Rican 8% Dominican 10%
• Common ancestry: Swiss 5% Hispanic 3%
• Foreign-born: 42% · Canada, Jamaica, Guatemala
• Languages at home: 44% English-only · Spanish 45% French/Haitian/Cajun 6% Other Indo-European 2%

Political lean MEDSL · Mercer

• 2024 margin: Solid D (+33.9) · D 65.9% · R 32.0% · Other 2.1%
• 2008→2024 swing: -2.2pp toward R · 2008: 36.1pp · 2024: 33.9pp
• All cycles: 2024: D+33.9 2020: D+40.0 2016: D+36.2 2012: D+36.8 2008: D+36.1

Not yet ingested

• Civics: —

Market trends

• HPI YoY: ▼ -331.65%
• Current HPI: 298.7405
• Rent YoY: —
• Metro: —
• State GDP YoY: ▲ 2.05%
• F500 in state: 34

Industry mix (Fortune 500 HQ in NJ)

Industry	F500 HQs	Revenue
▸Consumer Goods	3	$31B
▸Pharmaceuticals	2	$153B
▸Technology	2	$21B
▸Insurance	2	$20B
▸Healthcare	2	$19B
▸Financial Services	1	$70B

Price history

+613.8% since first listed

15 events — show timeline

• 2025-06-17 Pending — BRIGHT MLS
• 2025-05-30 Listed $149,900 BRIGHT MLS
• 2006-09-09 Sold (MLS) $150,000 BRIGHT MLS
• 2006-08-22 Sold (Public Records) $150,000 Public Records
• 2006-08-09 Listing Removed — BRIGHT MLS
• 2006-08-07 Listed $150,000 BRIGHT MLS
• 2006-06-30 Listing Removed — BRIGHT MLS
• 2006-03-30 Listed $159,000 BRIGHT MLS
• 2005-10-20 Sold (Public Records) $110,000 Public Records
• 2005-10-11 Sold (MLS) $110,000 BRIGHT MLS
• 2005-07-06 Listing Removed — BRIGHT MLS
• 2005-05-17 Listed $110,000 BRIGHT MLS
• 2001-07-31 Sold (MLS) $18,500 BRIGHT MLS
• 2001-05-09 Listed $18,500 BRIGHT MLS
• 1977-05-20 Sold (Public Records) $21,000 Public Records

Property tax history

-0.6%/yr

Latest (2025): $3,687 · +1.5% YoY. Source: county tax records.