6238 Willow Trace Dr · Bessemer, AL 35111

$334,900

5 bd · 3.0 ba · 2,511 sqft · SingleFamily · 34 Days on market

Built 2026 Good condition 6,490 sqft lot $133/sqft · 17% below area Est $406k · 17% under $42/mo HOA · 2% of rent

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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).

• ARV discount +15.0/15.0
• Cash flow +8.1/30.0
• Condition / age +4.0/5.0
• Livability +3.0/5.0
• 1% rule +2.7/10.0
• Rent growth +2.5/5.0
• DSCR +2.1/10.0
• Schools +1.4/10.0
• Appreciation +0.0/10.0

Listing remarks

Ask about our interest rates, paid closing cost and easily added options. The Hayden is a two-story plan with 5 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms in 2,511 square feet. The main level features a flex room adjacent to the foyer, ideal for a formal dining room or home office. The gourmet kitchen has an oversized island for extra seating and a large pantry, and it opens to the dining area and a spacious living room. A bedroom with a full bathroom completes the main level. Bedroom One is on the second level and offers a walk-in shower, private bathroom, double vanities and a walk-in closet.

Key facts

• 6,490 sq ft lot
• 2 garage spots
• Built 2026

What this means for you Summary

Snapshot

• This is a 5-bed/3.0-bath single-family listed at $335k. Condition is rated good.

Deal economics

• At list price, monthly cash flow is $-326 ($-4k/yr) — negative.
• To cash-flow at today's rent, offer at most $288k (14.1% below list).
• To meet the 1% rule (rent ≥ 1% of price), the offer needs to be $257k (23.3% below list).
• Recommended offer: $257k (23.3% below list) — sets the bar for 1% rule.

Location & tenants

• Location reads 59/100 on livability (#331 in AL) — a working-class tenant base; expect higher turnover. Strengths: commute A+, cost of living A+, housing A; Watch: crime F, amenities F, employment F.
• Bessemer City (suburban): math 3% / reading 19% proficiency, ranked #120 of 129 in AL (top 93%) — low school quality limits family demand, transient renter base, plan for 1-2y turnover; 87% free/reduced lunch — lower-income household profile, screen leases tightly.
• Zoned schools: Mcadory Elementary School (math 14% / reading 40%, grade F, #392 of 627 statewide, top 65%, 667 students, 61% FRL); Mcadory Middle School (math 2% / reading 33%, grade F, #199 of 257 statewide, top 77%, 854 students, 74% FRL); Mcadory High School (math 8% / reading 17%, grade F, #237 of 305 statewide, top 78%, 1,162 students, 72% FRL) — zoned schools average 69% FRL vs 87% district-wide (17 pts lower); this property's tenant base skews higher-income than the district average.
• Market conditions: 427 active listings in the ZIP; 5 comparable units currently listed for rent nearby; rentals lingering (median 62d on market — plan ~5-8 weeks vacancy on turnover, expect pricing pressure); 80% of comp listings sitting > 30 days — soft ceiling on asking rent; solid renter incomes; 2,114 units permitted in Jefferson County in 2024 (556 in 5+ unit buildings).
• This rent runs 36% of the median local income ($86k/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 $2k of loan paydown is wiped out by about $10k of value loss. Plan a longer hold.
• Jefferson County population projected to shrink 4% by 2050 — rents likely to lag national; underwrite the cash flow, not the appreciation.

Negotiation context

• It's been on market 34 days — a 3% lower offer ($325k) is reasonable based on typical stale-listing flexibility.

Recommended offer $256,969 (23.3% 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 34 days. Have you received any prior offers? Is the seller open to a 23% concession, seller financing, or rate buy-down credit?
3. What does the HOA fee cover, when was the last increase, and are there any pending special assessments or reserve-fund shortfalls?
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: 0.77% ✗
• Cap rate: 5.12%
• Cash-on-cash: -4.18%
• DSCR: 0.81
• GRM: 10.9

CMA / ARV

• ARV (median comp): $405,787
• List price: $334,900
• Delta: -16.24%
• Verdict: UNDERPRICED
• Comps: 20 within 1.0 mi

Show comp detail 6 sales within ~0.75 mi

Address	Dist	Beds/Ba	Sqft	Sold	Price	$/sf	Match
6286 Willow Trace Dr	0.07mi	5/3.0	2,511 (0%)	3mo	$344,900	$137	94
6301 Cove Ln	0.51mi	5/3.0	2,700 (+8%)	2mo	$358,000	$133	62
6387 Cove Ln	0.28mi	4/3.5 (-1)	2,604 (+4%)	20mo	$344,000	$132	57
5212 Vintage Way	0.41mi	4/3.0 (-1)	2,174 (-13%)	0mo	$329,900	$152	53
5528 Cathwick Trce	0.66mi	4/2.5 (-1)	2,332 (-7%)	4mo	$299,000	$128	47
6424 Cheshire Cove Dr	0.73mi	4/2.5 (-1)	2,800 (+12%)	15mo	$309,000	$110	27

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: -23.3%
• Equity multiple: 0.20×
• Total profit: $-74,989
• Equity at exit: $49,935

10-year hold

• IRR: -18.0%
• Equity multiple: 0.02×
• Total profit: $-91,802
• Equity at exit: $28,956

Cash invested: $93,772 (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 →

Balanced market Market conditions within 1.0 mi — comparable homes for sale

Active competition Active MLS

• For sale now: 6 active · 9 under contract
• Months of supply: 6.0 mo (17%/mo absorbed)
• Median asking: $337,400 ($147/sqft)
• Median days on market: 86 d
• This list price: 50% of active listings are priced below it
• ARV vs active asking: +10.1% above current asking $/sqft

Closed sales set the value; these active listings set current market conditions and a practical price ceiling.

ZIP-level market 35111

• Home prices YoY: -20.0%
• Active inventory: 427
• Price-to-rent: 10.9×

Monthly cashflow live

• Estimated rent: $2,570 high
• Mortgage (P&I): −$1,756
• Tax est. 1.5%: −$419 /mo · $5,024/yr
• Insurance: −$140
• HOA: −$42
• Vacancy / Maint / Mgmt: −$540
• Net cashflow: $-326

Break-even live

Break-even rent $2,983

Max offer price $287,676

Occupancy floor —

Sensitivity live

Price	-10% $-95	-5% $-211	+0% $-326	+5% $-442	+10% $-558
Rent	-10% $-529	-5% $-428	+0% $-326	+5% $-225	+10% $-123
Rate	-1.0pp $-158	-0.5pp $-241	base $-326	+0.5pp $-413	+1.0pp $-501

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: $83,725
• Closing costs: $10,047
• Club membership (one-time): —
• Reserves months: —
• Total cash needed: —

Rent comps 5 comps

Address	Beds	Baths	Sqft	Rent	$/sqft	DOM	Units	Dist
6062 Overlook Ln Bessemer, AL	4.0	2.5	2294	$2,605	$1.14	139d	1	1.05mi
4599 Woodford Cir Bessemer, AL	4.0	2.5	2346	$2,250	$0.96	61d	1	1.15mi
4599 Woodford Cir Bessemer, AL	4.0	2.5	2346	$2,100	$0.90	0d	1	1.15mi
4850 Woodford Way Bessemer, AL	4.0	2.5	2112	$2,280	$1.08	61d	1	1.19mi
6248 Letson Farms Dr Bessemer, AL	4.0	2.5	2300	$2,300	$1.00	106d	1	1.30mi

Listing history 28 events

1. 2026-09-23
   days on market $334,900 Active 34 DOM
2. 2026-09-22
   days on market $334,900 Active 33 DOM
3. 2026-09-21
   pricedays on market $334,900 Active 32 DOM
4. 2026-09-20
   days on market $339,900 Active 31 DOM
5. 2026-09-19
   days on market $339,900 Active 30 DOM
6. 2026-09-18
   days on market $339,900 Active 29 DOM
7. 2026-09-17
   days on market $339,900 Active 28 DOM
8. 2026-09-16
   days on market $339,900 Active 27 DOM
9. 2026-09-15
   days on market $339,900 Active 26 DOM
10. 2026-09-14
    days on market $339,900 Active 25 DOM
11. 2026-09-13
    days on market $339,900 Active 24 DOM
12. 2026-09-12
    days on market $339,900 Active 23 DOM
13. 2026-09-11
    pricedays on market $339,900 Active 22 DOM
14. 2026-09-05
    days on market $351,950 Active 16 DOM
15. 2026-09-04
    days on market $351,950 Active 15 DOM
16. 2026-09-03
    pricestatus $351,950 Active 14 DOM
17. 2026-08-05
    status $344,900 Pending 14 DOM
18. 2026-08-05
    days on market $344,900 Active 14 DOM
19. 2026-08-04
    days on market $344,900 Active 13 DOM
20. 2026-08-03
    days on market $344,900 Active 12 DOM
21. 2026-07-31
    days on market $344,900 Active 9 DOM
22. 2026-07-30
    days on market $344,900 Active 7 DOM
23. 2026-07-28
    days on market $344,900 Active 6 DOM
24. 2026-07-26
    days on market $344,900 Active 4 DOM
25. 2026-07-24
    days on market $344,900 Active 2 DOM
26. 2026-07-22
    statusdays on market $344,900 Active 1 DOM
27. 2026-06-10
    remarks 699-char remark
28. 2026-06-10
    listed $344,900 Pending

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

Taxation est. · year 1

• Rental income: $30,836
• − Mortgage interest: −$18,760
• − Property taxes: −$5,024
• − Insurance: −$1,674
• − Repairs & maintenance: −$2,467
• − Management: −$2,467
• − HOA: −$504
• − Depreciation: −$9,743
• Taxable loss: −$9,802
• Est. tax savings @ 24.0%: +$2,352
• After-tax cash flow: $-1,564/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.

Condition & rehab AI · 12 photos

Good 80/100 None rehab

This two-story home is in excellent condition with a modern kitchen, well-maintained exterior, and fresh interior paint. It offers a good balance of curb appeal and interior comfort, making it a solid investment.

Value-add opportunities

• Both Painting the exterior and interior walls — Fresh paint can enhance curb appeal and interior aesthetics. ↑
• Both Landscaping improvements — A well-maintained yard can increase both resale and rental value. ↑
• Both Adding smart home features — Smart home features can increase both resale and rental value by making the home more modern and convenient. ↑
• Resale Upgrading the kitchen appliances — Upgrading to more modern or energy-efficient appliances can increase the home's resale value. ↑
• Rental Adding a smart thermostat — A smart thermostat can help reduce energy costs and attract renters who value energy efficiency. ↑

F Composite school gradezoned avg 14/100

Zoned Schools

Elementary Westhills Elementary School F AL #486/627 Nat'l #35,051/41,679 Middle Bessemer City Middle School F AL #215/257 Nat'l #12,966/14,009 High Mcadory High School F AL #237/305 Nat'l #15,707/17,239

Schools (NCES district)

• District: Bessemer City
• NCES district ID: 0100330
• Math proficiency: 3% ▼ -18.00%
• Reading proficiency: 19% ▼ -3.00%
• Median HH income: $29,721
• Composite: 8.45/100
• National rank: #9905
• State rank: #120 of 129 in AL

D Composite livability gradescore 59/100

Livability — Bessemer

• Score: 59/100
• State rank: #331
• US rank: #20078

Category grades

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

Schools grade is shown separately in the Schools card above.

Census & demographics

• Census place: Bessemer, AL
• County: Tuscaloosa County · 669,185 people
• City population: 48,018
• Metro: Tuscaloosa, AL
• Population (ZIP): 20,342
• Household income: $86,463
• Rent vs Own: 10.8% rent · 89.2% own
• Severe rent burden: 4% of renters

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Population outlook (Jefferson County) Hauer SSP2

• Today (2025): 669,185 people
• By 2030: 669,694 · +0.1%
• By 2040: 661,388 · -1.2%
• By 2050: 643,086 · -3.9%
• By 2075: 577,267 · -13.7%
• By 2100: 474,758 · -29.1%

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Race, ethnicity, and origin ACS 2023

• Neighborhood character: Predominantly White (69%)
• Race & ethnicity: White 69% Black 24% Hispanic / Latino 3% Two or more races 3% Asian 1%
• Common ancestry: Lithuanian 4% Slovak 2% Italian 1%
• Foreign-born: 3% · Canada, China
• Languages at home: 93% English-only · Spanish 5%

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Political lean MEDSL · Jefferson

• 2024 margin: D (+10.4) · D 54.6% · R 44.2% · Other 1.2%
• 2008→2024 swing: +5.4pp toward D · 2008: 5.1pp · 2024: 10.4pp
• All cycles: 2024: D+10.4 2020: D+13.2 2016: D+7.2 2012: D+6.0 2008: D+5.1

Not yet ingested

• Civics: —

Market trends

• HPI YoY: ▼ -51.52%
• Current HPI: 206.3808
• Rent YoY: —
• Metro: Tuscaloosa, AL
• State GDP YoY: ▲ 2.94%
• F500 in state: 4

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Industry mix (Fortune 500 HQ in AL)

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

Price history

1 event — show timeline

• 2026-06-09 Listed $344,900 Greater Alabama MLS