517 W Lexington Ave · Elkhart, IN 46516

$225,000

5 bd · 4.0 ba · 2,379 sqft · MultiFamily public records · 140 Days on market

Built 1925 0.25 ac lot $95/sqft · 68% above area

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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 +3.4/5.0
• Rent growth +2.5/5.0
• Condition / age +2.5/5.0
• Schools +1.8/10.0
• Appreciation +0.0/10.0

Multi-family units

County records classify this as Multi-Family (2-4 Unit). Listing-text estimate: 3 units. confirmed

Listing remarks MLS

Great income producer! Triplex in Elkhart on a corner lot featuring 3 large units, 3 attached garages, a brick woodburning fireplace on the main level a common laundry area on the main level and new furnaces. Close to downtown, shopping and restaurants.

Key facts

• Common laundry area
• Corner lot
• Close to downtown

Tags

• CORNER LOT
• BRICK WOODBURNING FIREPLACE
• COMMON LAUNDRY AREA
• CLOSE TO DOWNTOWN

What this means for you Summary

Snapshot

• This is a 3 × 4-bed/3.0-bath units multifamily listed at $225k.

Deal economics

• At list price, monthly cash flow is $2k ($18k/yr) — positive. Per door: $504/mo.
• The deal already cash-flows at list — no discount required.
• Meets the 1% rule at list price ($4k rent vs $225k).
• Recommended offer: $198k (12.0% below list) — sets the bar for market timing.
• Cap rate 14.7% vs local median 4.0% in Elkhart — 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 68/100 on livability (#224 in IN) — a middle-class / working-renter tenant base. Strengths: cost of living A+, housing A+, health & safety A+; Watch: amenities C-, schools F, crime F.
• Elkhart Community Schools (urban): math 18% / reading 25% proficiency, ranked #271 of 301 in IN (top 90%) — low school quality limits family demand, transient renter base, plan for 1-2y turnover.
• Market conditions: 146 active listings in the ZIP; 1 comparable units currently listed for rent nearby; 484 units permitted in Elkhart County in 2024 (136 in 5+ unit buildings).
• At $4,096/mo this rent would consume 87% of the median local household income ($56k/yr) (locally 995% of renters already pay >50% of income on rent) — very limited rent-growth headroom before tenants either downsize or default.

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.
• Elkhart County population projected at +7% by 2050 — modest demand growth; plan on rents tracking national, not racing it.
• At projected returns (-3.0% appreciation + 3.0% rent growth), your $63k cash investment doubles in ~5 years — after that, you're playing with house money.

Negotiation context

• It's been on market 140 days — a 12% lower offer ($198k) is reasonable based on typical stale-listing flexibility.
• 2 sale attempts since 4y 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.
• Current owner paid $185k; 22% above their basis — modest negotiation headroom, anchor on the comps not their cost.

Risks & watch-outs

• Watch-outs: flood insurance adds $56/mo; built in 1925 — expect roof / HVAC / electrical / plumbing capex.
• Climate carrying-cost: severe flood risk — expect insurance premiums to compound above CPI over the hold.

Recommended offer $198,000 (12.0% below list)

Questions for the listing agent

1. It's been on market 140 days. Have you received any prior offers? Is the seller open to a 12% concession, seller financing, or rate buy-down credit?
2. Can we see the unit-by-unit rent roll, current vacancy, and any below-market leases? What's the average tenancy length?
3. What capital expenditures (roof, boiler, parking lot, exteriors) have been made in the last 5 years, and what's planned in the next 2?
4. Built in 1925 — when were the roof, HVAC, electrical panel, plumbing, and water heater last replaced?
5. What's the actual annual flood-insurance premium (NFIP or private), and is the property in a SFHA with mandatory coverage?
6. Why hasn't it sold? Are there any deal-killer items the seller is aware of (foundation, flood, title, zoning, code violations)?
7. Is there a deadline driving the sale (1031 exchange, divorce, estate, relocation)? That informs how much negotiation room exists.
8. 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?
9. 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?
10. 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.
11. 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.
12. How much new apartment / multifamily construction is in the pipeline within 1–3 miles? Heavy new supply (>2% of stock underway) typically softens rents 12–24 months out; light construction supports rent growth.

Investment metrics

• 1% rule: 1.82% ✓
• Cap rate: 14.65%
• Cash-on-cash: 29.86%
• DSCR: 2.33
• GRM: 4.6

CMA / ARV

• ARV (median comp): $133,164
• List price: $225,000
• Delta: 68.96%
• Verdict: OVERPRICED
• Comps: 20 within 1.0 mi

Show comp detail 4 sales within ~0.75 mi

Address	Dist	Beds/Ba	Sqft	Sold	Price	$/sf	Match
207 N 2nd St	0.33mi	4/4.0 (-1)	2,442 (+3%)	4mo	$111,100	$45	72
529 W Marion St	0.23mi	4/4.0 (-1)	2,477 (+4%)	11mo	$125,000	$50	68
607 W Marion St	0.23mi	4/4.0 (-1)	2,028 (-15%)	5mo	$95,000	$47	56
313/315 N Riverside Dr	0.37mi	6/2.0 (+1)	2,448 (+3%)	12mo	$212,000	$87	55

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: 23.2%
• Equity multiple: 1.95×
• Total profit: $60,017
• Equity at exit: $33,548

10-year hold

• IRR: 31.1%
• Equity multiple: 3.81×
• Total profit: $176,951
• Equity at exit: $19,454

Cash invested: $63,000 (down + closing). Projections, not guarantees.

Landlord ↔ Tenant lean methodology

• Overall (STATE): 90 Strongly Landlord-Friendly
• State Indiana: 90 Strongly Landlord-Friendly · R+11
• County: — inherits STATE
• City: — inherits STATE

10-day pay-or-quit; landlord-favorable; preempted.

Methodology + full state rankings →

ZIP-level market 46516

• Active inventory: 146
• Price-to-rent: 13.7×

Monthly cashflow live

• Estimated rent: $4,096 medium
• Mortgage (P&I): −$1,180
• Tax from tax record: −$394 /mo · $4,733/yr
• Insurance: −$94
• Flood insurance flood zone: −$56 /mo · $666/yr
• HOA: −$0
• Vacancy / Maint / Mgmt: −$860
• Net cashflow: $1,512

Break-even live

Break-even rent $2,182

Max offer price $225,000

Occupancy floor 58%

3-unit breakdown (identical units grouped — click to expand)

Units	Beds	Baths	Est. rent
▸ 3× units	4	3	$4,095
Total (3 units)			$4,096

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: $56,250
• Closing costs: $6,750
• Reserves months: —
• Total cash needed: —

Rent comps 1 comps

Address	Beds	Baths	Sqft	Rent	$/sqft	DOM	Units	Dist
721 N Michigan St Elkhart, IN	4.0	2.0	1952	$2,499	$1.28	21d	1	0.68mi

Listing history 24 events

1. 2026-06-19
   days on market $225,000 Active 140 DOM
2. 2026-06-18
   days on market $225,000 Active 139 DOM
3. 2026-06-17
   days on market $225,000 Active 138 DOM
4. 2026-06-16
   days on market $225,000 Active 137 DOM
5. 2026-06-15
   days on market $225,000 Active 136 DOM
6. 2026-06-14
   days on market $225,000 Active 134 DOM
7. 2026-06-13
   days on market $225,000 Active 133 DOM
8. 2026-06-10
   days on market $225,000 Active 131 DOM
9. 2026-06-09
   days on market $225,000 Active 130 DOM
10. 2026-06-08
    days on market $225,000 Active 129 DOM
11. 2026-06-07
    days on market $225,000 Active 128 DOM
12. 2026-06-05
    days on market $225,000 Active 125 DOM
13. 2026-06-03
    days on market $225,000 Active 124 DOM
14. 2026-06-02
    days on market $225,000 Active 123 DOM
15. 2026-06-01
    days on market $225,000 Active 122 DOM
16. 2026-05-31
    days on market $225,000 Active 121 DOM
17. 2026-05-30
    days on market $225,000 Active 120 DOM
18. 2026-01-30
    listed $225,000 Active 253-char remark

    Show marketing remark (253 chars)

    Great income producer! Triplex in Elkhart on a corner lot featuring 3 large units, 3 attached garages, a brick woodburning fireplace on the main level a common laundry area on the main level and new furnaces. Close to downtown, shopping and restaurants.

19. 2022-12-11
    historical
20. 2022-07-14
    soldstatus $185,000 Closed 370-char remark

    Show marketing remark (370 chars)

    This property greets you with a open mason wrap porch and has 3 large units, featuring 3 attached garages, no one has to be out in the elements. Hardwood flooring throughout, a brick wood burning fireplace in Main Level unit. Common laundry area on ML. All appliances are included, the tenants pay their own utilities. Please allow at least 24 hours notice for tenants.

21. 2022-05-23
    historical 370-char remark

    Show marketing remark (370 chars)

    This property greets you with a open mason wrap porch and has 3 large units, featuring 3 attached garages, no one has to be out in the elements. Hardwood flooring throughout, a brick wood burning fireplace in Main Level unit. Common laundry area on ML. All appliances are included, the tenants pay their own utilities. Please allow at least 24 hours notice for tenants.

22. 2022-01-31
    listed $210,000 370-char remark

    Show marketing remark (370 chars)

    This property greets you with a open mason wrap porch and has 3 large units, featuring 3 attached garages, no one has to be out in the elements. Hardwood flooring throughout, a brick wood burning fireplace in Main Level unit. Common laundry area on ML. All appliances are included, the tenants pay their own utilities. Please allow at least 24 hours notice for tenants.

23. 2003-01-31
    soldstatus $108,000
24. 2003-01-31
    soldstatus $108,000

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

Tax reassessment forecast IN · Partial reset (capped growth)

• Current annual tax: $4,733 · $394/mo
• Projected year-2 tax: $4,733 · $394/mo
• Expected delta: $0/yr ($0/mo · 0.0%)

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

Climate risk First Street

• 🌊 Flood 8/10 Severe FEMA zone X (unshaded) · 99% chance over 30 yrs
• 🔥 Wildfire 1/10 Low
• 🌡 Heat 2/10 Low 7 d/yr ≥101°F today · 16 d/yr by 30 yrs out
• 💨 Wind 2/10 Low
• 🫁 Air quality 3/10 Moderate 2 unhealthy d/yr today · 3 by 30 yrs out

Taxation est. · year 1

• Rental income: $49,152
• − Mortgage interest: −$12,603
• − Property taxes: −$4,733
• − Insurance: −$1,792
• − Repairs & maintenance: −$3,932
• − Management: −$3,932
• − Depreciation: −$6,545
• Taxable income: $15,614
• Est. tax owed @ 24.0%: −$3,747
• After-tax cash flow: $14,399/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: Elkhart Community Schools
• NCES district ID: 1803270
• Math proficiency: 18% ▼ -12.00%
• Reading proficiency: 25% ▼ -9.00%
• Median HH income: $42,881
• Composite: 18.45/100
• National rank: #8928
• State rank: #271 of 301 in IN

Livability — Elkhart

• Score: 68/100
• State rank: #224
• US rank: #9852

Category grades

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

Schools grade is shown separately in the Schools card above.

Census & demographics

• Census place: Elkhart, IN
• County: Elkhart County · 107,928 people
• City population: 74,260
• Metro: Elkhart-Goshen, IN
• Population (ZIP): 31,871
• Household income: $56,492
• Rent vs Own: 37.3% rent · 62.7% own
• Severe rent burden: 995.0

Population outlook (Elkhart County) Hauer SSP2

• Today (2025): 213,761 people
• By 2030: 218,103 · +2.0%
• By 2040: 225,381 · +5.4%
• By 2050: 229,447 · +7.3%
• By 2075: 232,856 · +8.9%
• By 2100: 214,088 · +0.2%

Race, ethnicity, and origin ACS 2023

• Neighborhood character: Diverse neighborhood (Simpson 0.56)
• Race & ethnicity: White 60% Hispanic / Latino 26% Black 9% Two or more races 8% Asian 1%
• Hispanic origin (detail): Mexican 15%
• Common ancestry: Romanian 2% Iranian 2% Lithuanian 2%
• Foreign-born: 15% · Canada
• Languages at home: 77% English-only · Spanish 19% Other Indo-European 3%

Political lean MEDSL · Elkhart

• 2024 margin: Solid R (+32.4) · D 33.1% · R 65.5% · Other 1.4%
• 2008→2024 swing: -21.2pp toward R · 2008: -11.2pp · 2024: -32.4pp
• All cycles: 2024: R+32.4 2020: R+28.1 2016: R+32.4 2012: R+26.5 2008: R+11.2

Not yet ingested

• Civics: —

Market trends

• HPI YoY: ▼ -233.42%
• Current HPI: 239.2508
• Rent YoY: —
• Metro: Elkhart-Goshen, IN
• State GDP YoY: ▲ 2.90%
• F500 in state: 18

Industry mix (Fortune 500 HQ in IN)

Industry	F500 HQs	Revenue
▸Industrial Machinery	2	$37B
▸Healthcare	1	$177B
▸Pharmaceuticals	1	$45B
▸Metals / Steel	1	$18B
▸Agriculture	1	$17B
▸Packaging	1	$12B

Price history

+108.3% since first listed

7 events — show timeline

• 2026-01-30 Listed $225,000 IRMLS
• 2022-12-11 Rental Removed — RENT.
• 2022-07-14 Sold (MLS) $185,000 IRMLS
• 2022-05-23 Delisted — IRMLS
• 2022-01-31 Listed $210,000 IRMLS
• 2003-01-31 Sold (Public Records) $108,000 Public Records
• 2003-01-31 Sold (Public Records) $108,000 Public Records

Property tax history

-0.5%/yr

Latest (2025): $4,733 · +22.2% YoY. Source: county tax records.