5253 Golden Fern Ln · Columbus, OH 43228

$224,900

4 bd · 1.5 ba · 1,312 sqft · SingleFamily public records · 80 Days on market

Built 1979 8,276 sqft lot $171/sqft · 22% below area Est $289k · 22% under

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Why this score? — see what drove the C- 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 +14.5/30.0
• DSCR +4.4/10.0
• Livability +4.0/5.0
• Schools +3.8/10.0
• 1% rule +3.7/10.0
• Condition / age +2.5/5.0
• Rent growth +2.3/5.0
• Appreciation +0.0/10.0

Listing remarks MLS

Spacious 4-Bedroom Ranch in Cherry Creek! Welcome to this beautifully maintained, one-story residence offering over 1,300 square feet of functional living space. Perfectly situated on a generous corner lot, this home is an outstanding find for those seeking the convenience of single-level living combined with a versatile four-bedroom layout. The interior features a bright and airy atmosphere with updated flooring throughout the main living areas. The heart of the home is the spacious, dine-in kitchen, which comes fully equipped with a gas range and dishwasher--perfect for the home chef. The rare 4-bedroom configuration provides ample space for a growing family, a dedicated home office, or a hobby room. Practicality meets comfort with a dedicated laundry area (washer/dryer hookups included) and central air conditioning to keep you cool all summer long. Outside, the property boasts a large, level backyard featuring a storage shed for all your gardening tools and seasonal gear. The private driveway offers plenty of off-street parking. Located within the South-Western City School District, you are just over a mile from Prairie Norton Elementary and Westland High School. Enjoy quick access to I-270 and W. Broad Street, putting the shopping, dining, and entertainment of Downtown Columbus just minutes away.

Key facts

• Dine-in kitchen
• Private driveway
• Level backyard

Tags

• CORNER LOT
• DINE-IN KITCHEN
• DEDICATED LAUNDRY AREA
• LEVEL BACKYARD
• STORAGE SHED
• PRIVATE DRIVEWAY

What this means for you Summary

Snapshot

• This is a 4-bed/1.5-bath single-family listed at $225k.

Deal economics

• At list price, monthly cash flow is $48 ($581/yr) — positive.
• The deal already cash-flows at list — no discount required.
• To meet the 1% rule (rent ≥ 1% of price), the offer needs to be $196k (13.1% below list).
• Recommended offer: $196k (13.1% below list) — sets the bar for 1% rule.
• Cap rate 6.6% vs local median 3.8% 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 81/100 on livability (#97 in OH, #1,491 nationally) — a professional / high-income tenant draw. Strengths: commute A+, cost of living A+, housing A+; Watch: employment C-, crime F.
• South-Western City (suburban): math 40% / reading 48% proficiency, ranked #500 of 656 in OH (top 76%) — families likely to look elsewhere, expect single-tenant / working-renter base with shorter leases.
• Market conditions: Rents soft (-0.6%/yr); 192 active listings in the ZIP; 24 comparable units currently listed for rent nearby; rentals leasing fast (median 13d on market — plan ~1-2 weeks tenant-placement turnaround); 8,139 units permitted in Franklin County in 2024 (5,940 in 5+ unit buildings).
• This rent runs 38% 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 $2k of loan paydown is wiped out by about $7k of value loss. Plan a longer hold.
• Franklin County population projected at +34% by 2050 — long-run rental-demand tailwind backs the buy-and-hold thesis.

Negotiation context

• It's been on market 80 days — a 6% lower offer ($211k) is reasonable based on typical stale-listing flexibility.
• 3 sale attempts since 27y ago; this cycle's ask has dropped $35k (13%) from the opening price — seller is motivated, your offer sets the floor, not the list.

Recommended offer $195,519 (13.1% below list)

Questions for the listing agent

1. It's been on market 80 days. Have you received any prior offers? Is the seller open to a 13% concession, seller financing, or rate buy-down credit?
2. Built in 1979 — 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. 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?
6. 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.
7. 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.
8. 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: 0.87% ✗
• Cap rate: 6.55%
• Cash-on-cash: 0.92%
• DSCR: 1.04
• GRM: 9.6

CMA / ARV

• ARV (median comp): $289,390
• List price: $224,900
• Delta: -22.28%
• 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
926 Cherry Bud Dr	0.08mi	3/2.0 (-1)	1,328 (+1%)	1mo	$312,000	$235	86
5281 Silverberry Ct	0.06mi	4/2.0	1,234 (-6%)	8mo	$269,900	$219	79
689 Wesfall Ct	0.38mi	4/2.0	1,359 (+4%)	0mo	$295,000	$217	74
654 Pine Trace Ct	0.36mi	4/1.5	1,334 (+2%)	8mo	$285,000	$214	74
5006 Old Tree Ave	0.45mi	3/2.0 (-1)	1,344 (+2%)	5mo	$276,500	$206	64
5370 Cherry Creek Pkwy S	0.27mi	3/1.5 (-1)	1,178 (-10%)	4mo	$285,000	$242	62
5328 Cherry Bud Ct	0.15mi	3/2.5 (-1)	1,454 (+11%)	8mo	$280,000	$193	59
5436 Westgrove Dr	0.30mi	3/1.5 (-1)	1,178 (-10%)	8mo	$267,000	$227	58
4789 Dolan Pl	0.51mi	5/1.5 (+1)	1,228 (-6%)	7mo	$300,000	$244	55
432 Redmond Rd	0.71mi	3/1.0 (-1)	1,295 (-1%)	8mo	$207,000	$160	51
495 Daytona Rd	0.64mi	3/2.0 (-1)	1,399 (+7%)	3mo	$244,000	$174	50
859 Bisque Ct	0.71mi	3/2.0 (-1)	1,420 (+8%)	9mo	$310,000	$218	39

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 · 0.0% rent growth · sell at horizon

5-year hold

• IRR: -18.1%
• Equity multiple: 0.38×
• Total profit: $-39,096
• Equity at exit: $33,533

10-year hold

• IRR: -17.4%
• Equity multiple: 0.17×
• Total profit: $-52,243
• Equity at exit: $19,445

Cash invested: $62,972 (down + closing). Projections, not guarantees.

Landlord ↔ Tenant lean methodology

• Overall (STATE): 73 Landlord-Friendly
• State Ohio: 73 Landlord-Friendly · R+6
• County: — inherits STATE
• City: — inherits STATE

3-day notice; Cleveland / Columbus have some habitability code enforcement; otherwise landlord-leaning.

Methodology + full state rankings →

ZIP-level market 43228

• Rents YoY: -0.6%
• Active inventory: 192
• Price-to-rent: 9.6×

Monthly cashflow live

• Estimated rent: $1,955 high
• Mortgage (P&I): −$1,179
• Tax from tax record: −$223 /mo · $2,677/yr
• Insurance: −$94
• HOA: −$0
• Vacancy / Maint / Mgmt: −$411
• Net cashflow: $48

Break-even live

Break-even rent $1,894

Max offer price $224,900

Occupancy floor 93%

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: $56,225
• Closing costs: $6,747
• Reserves months: —
• Total cash needed: —

Rent comps 24 comps

Address	Beds	Baths	Sqft	Rent	$/sqft	DOM	Units	Dist
5335 Cherry Bud Ct Columbus, OH	3.0	2.0	1456	$2,298	$1.58	43d	1	0.17mi
859 Eliots Oak Rd Columbus, OH	3.0	1.0	1232	$1,950	$1.58	14d	1	0.23mi
4800 Hall Rd Columbus, OH	1.0–3.0	1.0–2.0	880	$1,289	$1.46	2d	24	0.46mi
5500 Floral Cir S Columbus, OH	1.0–3.0	1.0–2.0	762	$1,420	$1.86	3d	22	0.75mi
794 Wallinger Dr Galloway, OH	3.0	2.5	1428	$2,125	$1.49	23d	1	0.82mi
4510 Switchback Trl Columbus, OH	3.0	2.0	1244	$2,170	$1.74	4d	1	0.84mi
5095 Maple Valley Dr Columbus, OH	3.0	2.5	1709	$2,300	$1.35	21d	1	0.92mi
4573 Westport Rd Unit 670-106 Columbus, OH	3.0	1.5	1095	$1,417	$1.29	43d	1	0.95mi
4573 Westport Rd Unit 4507-107 Columbus, OH	3.0	1.5	1095	$1,417	$1.29	12d	1	0.95mi
4573 Westport Rd Unit 4507-303 Columbus, OH	4.0	2.0	1558	$1,897	$1.22	43d	1	0.95mi
4573 Westport Rd Unit 4567-101 Columbus, OH	3.0	1.5	1095	$1,701	$1.55	43d	1	0.95mi
1284 Falene Pl Galloway, OH	3.0	2.0	1510	$2,355	$1.56	2d	1	0.97mi
560 Corral Gate Ct Galloway, OH	3.0	2.0	1658	$2,286	$1.38	21d	1	1.00mi
1595 Georgesville Rd Columbus, OH	1.0–3.0	1.0–2.0	953	$1,900	$1.99	1d	1	1.02mi
5816 Oreily Dr Galloway, OH	3.0	2.5	1248	$2,300	$1.84	12d	1	1.03mi
1097 Leclerc Pl Galloway, OH	3.0	2.0	1850	$2,520	$1.36	4d	1	1.11mi
5591 Rustling Way LN Galloway, OH	1.0–3.0	1.0–2.5	962	$1,649	$1.71	1d	8	1.21mi
5761 Ricardo Dr Galloway, OH	3.0	2.0	1102	$2,010	$1.82	43d	1	1.22mi
4312 Westport Rd Columbus, OH	2.0–3.0	1.5–2.5	1476	$1,499	$1.02	1d	21	1.27mi
815 Galloway Rd Galloway, OH	1.0–3.0	1.0–2.0	953	$1,950	$2.05	1d	1	1.34mi
6203 Streaming Ave Galloway, OH	3.0	2.0	1159	$1,745	$1.51	12d	1	1.40mi
6160 Hall Rd Galloway, OH	1.0–3.0	1.0–2.0	953	$1,950	$2.05	1d	1	1.47mi
6245 Jolliff St Galloway, OH	3.0	2.5	1806	$2,455	$1.36	16d	1	1.49mi
1551 Covina Dr Columbus, OH	3.0	2.0	1218	$2,205	$1.81	2d	1	1.49mi

Listing history 24 events

1. 2026-06-18
   days on market $224,900 Active 80 DOM
2. 2026-06-17
   days on market $224,900 Active 79 DOM
3. 2026-06-16
   days on market $224,900 Active 78 DOM
4. 2026-06-15
   days on market $224,900 Active 77 DOM
5. 2026-06-13
   days on market $224,900 Active 75 DOM
6. 2026-06-10
   days on market $224,900 Active 71 DOM
7. 2026-06-08
   days on market $224,900 Active 70 DOM
8. 2026-06-07
   pricedays on market $224,900 Active 69 DOM
9. 2026-06-03
   days on market $234,900 Active 65 DOM
10. 2026-06-02
    days on market $234,900 Active 64 DOM
11. 2026-06-01
    days on market $234,900 Active 63 DOM
12. 2026-05-31
    days on market $234,900 Active 62 DOM
13. 2026-05-14
    price $244,900 1321-char remark

    Show marketing remark (1321 chars)

    Spacious 4-Bedroom Ranch in Cherry Creek! Welcome to this beautifully maintained, one-story residence offering over 1,300 square feet of functional living space. Perfectly situated on a generous corner lot, this home is an outstanding find for those seeking the convenience of single-level living combined with a versatile four-bedroom layout. The interior features a bright and airy atmosphere with updated flooring throughout the main living areas. The heart of the home is the spacious, dine-in kitchen, which comes fully equipped with a gas range and dishwasher--perfect for the home chef. The rare 4-bedroom configuration provides ample space for a growing family, a dedicated home office, or a hobby room. Practicality meets comfort with a dedicated laundry area (washer/dryer hookups included) and central air conditioning to keep you cool all summer long. Outside, the property boasts a large, level backyard featuring a storage shed for all your gardening tools and seasonal gear. The private driveway offers plenty of off-street parking. Located within the South-Western City School District, you are just over a mile from Prairie Norton Elementary and Westland High School. Enjoy quick access to I-270 and W. Broad Street, putting the shopping, dining, and entertainment of Downtown Columbus just minutes away.

14. 2026-04-24
    price $254,900 1321-char remark

    Show marketing remark (1321 chars)

    Spacious 4-Bedroom Ranch in Cherry Creek! Welcome to this beautifully maintained, one-story residence offering over 1,300 square feet of functional living space. Perfectly situated on a generous corner lot, this home is an outstanding find for those seeking the convenience of single-level living combined with a versatile four-bedroom layout. The interior features a bright and airy atmosphere with updated flooring throughout the main living areas. The heart of the home is the spacious, dine-in kitchen, which comes fully equipped with a gas range and dishwasher--perfect for the home chef. The rare 4-bedroom configuration provides ample space for a growing family, a dedicated home office, or a hobby room. Practicality meets comfort with a dedicated laundry area (washer/dryer hookups included) and central air conditioning to keep you cool all summer long. Outside, the property boasts a large, level backyard featuring a storage shed for all your gardening tools and seasonal gear. The private driveway offers plenty of off-street parking. Located within the South-Western City School District, you are just over a mile from Prairie Norton Elementary and Westland High School. Enjoy quick access to I-270 and W. Broad Street, putting the shopping, dining, and entertainment of Downtown Columbus just minutes away.

15. 2026-03-31
    listed $259,900 Active 1321-char remark

    Show marketing remark (1321 chars)

    Spacious 4-Bedroom Ranch in Cherry Creek! Welcome to this beautifully maintained, one-story residence offering over 1,300 square feet of functional living space. Perfectly situated on a generous corner lot, this home is an outstanding find for those seeking the convenience of single-level living combined with a versatile four-bedroom layout. The interior features a bright and airy atmosphere with updated flooring throughout the main living areas. The heart of the home is the spacious, dine-in kitchen, which comes fully equipped with a gas range and dishwasher--perfect for the home chef. The rare 4-bedroom configuration provides ample space for a growing family, a dedicated home office, or a hobby room. Practicality meets comfort with a dedicated laundry area (washer/dryer hookups included) and central air conditioning to keep you cool all summer long. Outside, the property boasts a large, level backyard featuring a storage shed for all your gardening tools and seasonal gear. The private driveway offers plenty of off-street parking. Located within the South-Western City School District, you are just over a mile from Prairie Norton Elementary and Westland High School. Enjoy quick access to I-270 and W. Broad Street, putting the shopping, dining, and entertainment of Downtown Columbus just minutes away.

16. 2022-11-03
    soldstatus $205,000
17. 2010-10-08
    soldstatus $33,100 95-char remark

    Show marketing remark (95 chars)

    CASE # 413-339280 HUD OWNED SOLD ''AS-IS''. UPTO 5% TO SELLING BROKER. MUST HAVE NAID # TO BID.

18. 2010-09-10
    historical 95-char remark

    Show marketing remark (95 chars)

    CASE # 413-339280 HUD OWNED SOLD ''AS-IS''. UPTO 5% TO SELLING BROKER. MUST HAVE NAID # TO BID.

19. 2010-08-13
    listed $49,000 95-char remark

    Show marketing remark (95 chars)

    CASE # 413-339280 HUD OWNED SOLD ''AS-IS''. UPTO 5% TO SELLING BROKER. MUST HAVE NAID # TO BID.

20. 1999-06-08
    soldstatus $82,000
21. 1999-06-04
    soldstatus $82,000
22. 1999-04-25
    historical
23. 1999-04-19
    listed $82,900
24. 1980-08-01
    soldstatus $46,900

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

Tax reassessment forecast OH · Partial reset (capped growth)

• Current annual tax: $2,677 · $223/mo
• Projected year-2 tax: $3,093 · $258/mo
• Expected delta: +$416/yr (+$35/mo · 15.5%)

ⓘ 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 1/10 Low
• 🌡 Heat 4/10 Moderate 7 d/yr ≥100°F today · 18 d/yr by 30 yrs out
• 💨 Wind 2/10 Low 100% chance of damaging wind over 30 yrs
• 🫁 Air quality 2/10 Low 1 unhealthy d/yr today · 2 by 30 yrs out

Taxation est. · year 1

• Rental income: $23,462
• − Mortgage interest: −$12,598
• − Property taxes: −$2,677
• − Insurance: −$1,124
• − Repairs & maintenance: −$1,877
• − Management: −$1,877
• − Depreciation: −$6,543
• Taxable loss: −$3,234
• Est. tax savings @ 24.0%: +$776
• After-tax cash flow: $1,357/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: South-Western City
• NCES district ID: 3904480
• Math proficiency: 40% ▼ -18.00%
• Reading proficiency: 48% ▼ -10.00%
• Median HH income: $51,689
• Composite: 37.95/100
• National rank: #4305
• State rank: #500 of 656 in OH

Livability — Columbus

• Score: 81/100
• State rank: #97
• US rank: #1491

Category grades

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

Schools grade is shown separately in the Schools card above.

Census & demographics

• Census place: Columbus, OH
• County: Franklin County · 1,351,780 people
• City population: 612,189
• Metro: Columbus, OH
• Population (ZIP): 59,077
• Household income: $61,713
• Rent vs Own: 55.8% rent · 44.2% own
• Severe rent burden: 3284.0

Population outlook (Franklin County) Hauer SSP2

• Today (2025): 1,456,139 people
• By 2030: 1,556,890 · +6.9%
• By 2040: 1,757,349 · +20.7%
• By 2050: 1,950,539 · +34.0%
• By 2075: 2,376,171 · +63.2%
• By 2100: 2,636,796 · +81.1%

Race, ethnicity, and origin ACS 2023

• Neighborhood character: Diverse neighborhood (Simpson 0.64)
• Race & ethnicity: White 54% Black 23% Hispanic / Latino 14% Two or more races 11% Asian 3%
• Hispanic origin (detail): Mexican 8% Dominican 1%
• Common ancestry: Slovak 2% Italian 1% Romanian 1%
• Foreign-born: 19% · Canada, Jamaica
• Languages at home: 74% English-only · Spanish 12% Other Indo-European 1% Other Asian/Pacific 1%

Political lean MEDSL · Franklin

• 2024 margin: Strong D (+28.4) · D 63.7% · R 35.3% · Other 1.0%
• 2008→2024 swing: +7.7pp toward D · 2008: 20.7pp · 2024: 28.4pp
• All cycles: 2024: D+28.4 2020: D+31.4 2016: D+25.9 2012: D+21.7 2008: D+20.7

Not yet ingested

• Civics: —

Market trends

• HPI YoY: ▼ -245.97%
• Current HPI: 234.1992
• Rent YoY: ▼ -0.63%
• Metro: Columbus, OH
• State GDP YoY: ▲ 1.98%
• F500 in state: 48

Industry mix (Fortune 500 HQ in OH)

Industry	F500 HQs	Revenue
▸Insurance	3	$145B
▸Industrial Machinery	3	$49B
▸Financial Services	3	$24B
▸Consumer Goods	2	$93B
▸Aerospace / Defense	2	$47B
▸Utilities	2	$33B

Price history

+422.2% since first listed

12 events — show timeline

• 2026-05-14 Price Changed $244,900 CBRMLS
• 2026-04-24 Price Changed $254,900 CBRMLS
• 2026-03-31 Listed $259,900 CBRMLS
• 2022-11-03 Sold (Public Records) $205,000 Public Records
• 2010-10-08 Sold (MLS) $33,100 CBRMLS
• 2010-09-10 Listing Removed — CBRMLS
• 2010-08-13 Listed $49,000 CBRMLS
• 1999-06-08 Sold (Public Records) $82,000 Public Records
• 1999-06-04 Sold (MLS) $82,000 CBRMLS
• 1999-04-25 Listing Removed — CBRMLS
• 1999-04-19 Listed $82,900 CBRMLS
• 1980-08-01 Sold (Public Records) $46,900 Public Records

Property tax history

+4.8%/yr

Latest (2024): $2,677 · +1.8% YoY. Source: county tax records.