552 Elizabeth Crest Rd · Chattanooga, TN 37421

$285,000

4 bd · 3.0 ba · 2,096 sqft · SingleFamily public records · 16 Days on market

Built 1973 0.29 ac lot Est $459k · 38% 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).

• Cash flow +16.2/30.0
• ARV discount +15.0/15.0
• DSCR +5.0/10.0
• Livability +3.9/5.0
• 1% rule +3.4/10.0
• Schools +2.7/10.0
• Condition / age +2.5/5.0
• Rent growth +2.2/5.0
• Appreciation +0.0/10.0

Listing remarks

Location, location, location -- and this one delivers. Nestled in a quiet, established neighborhood on Chattanooga's east side, 552 Elizabeth Crest Rd puts you in the heart of the East Hamilton school district, widely regarded as one of the best in the city. Your kids will be zoned for West View Elementary, East Hamilton Middle, and East Hamilton High School -- a triple threat that makes this address as valuable as the home itself. The home itself offers tremendous livable space with room to grow. Upstairs you'll find 3 bedrooms and 2 full baths, while the full basement adds a bonus bedroom and bathroom -- perfect for guests, a teen suite, a home office, or rental potential. Pull into your

Key facts

• 0.29 acre lot
• 2 garage spots
• Built 1973

Property features AI

Finance

• Other: Subdivision: Sandidge Forest

Exterior

• Parking: Attached garage with 2 spaces; Driveway; Garage door opener; Basement access to parking
• Security: Smoke detectors
• Utilities: Public water; Septic tank sewer; Electricity connected; Natural gas connected; Cable and phone connected; Water connected
• Home design: Single-family residence; One story; House
• Construction: Brick and other exterior materials; Shingle roof; Block foundation; Built as a house
• Exterior features: Private yard; Corner lot; Gentle sloping, rectangular parcel; Paved city street frontage; Publicly maintained road

Interior

• Kitchen: Refrigerator; Gas range with down draft; Dishwasher
• Bedrooms: Master bedroom located downstairs
• Bathrooms: 3 full bathrooms
• Heating & cooling: Central heating (natural gas); Central electric cooling; Ceiling fans
• Interior features: Ceiling fans; Entrance foyer; Laminate countertops; Walk-in closets; Master suite on main level; Finished full basement
• Laundry & utility: Laundry closet on lower level; Gas water heater

What this means for you Summary

Snapshot

• This is a 4-bed/3.0-bath single-family listed at $285k.

Deal economics

• At list price, monthly cash flow is $154 ($2k/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 $239k (16.0% below list).
• Recommended offer: $239k (16.0% below list) — sets the bar for 1% rule.
• Cap rate 6.9% vs local median 3.4% in Chattanooga — 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 78/100 on livability (#3 in TN, #2,582 nationally) — a middle-class / working-renter tenant base. Strengths: amenities A+, commute A+, cost of living A+; Watch: employment D+, crime F.
• Hamilton County (urban): math 31% / reading 31% proficiency, ranked #42 of 139 in TN (top 30%) — families likely to look elsewhere, expect single-tenant / working-renter base with shorter leases.
• Zoned schools: Westview Elementary (math 66% / reading 63%, grade B, #41 of 952 statewide, top 5%, 610 students, 0% FRL); Ooltewah Middle School (math 20% / reading 21%, grade F, #194 of 333 statewide, top 59%, 519 students, 0% FRL); Ooltewah High School (math 9% / reading 39%, grade F, #144 of 332 statewide, top 43%, 1,266 students, 0% FRL) — zoned schools average 0% FRL vs 52% district-wide (52 pts lower); this property's tenant base skews higher-income than the district average.
• Market conditions: Rents soft (-1.0%/yr); 577 active listings in the ZIP; 5 comparable units currently listed for rent nearby; rentals at typical pace (median 16d on market — plan ~3-4 weeks tenant-placement turnaround); solid renter incomes; 2,133 units permitted in Hamilton County in 2024 (405 in 5+ unit buildings).
• This rent runs 35% of the median local income ($83k/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 $9k of value loss. Plan a longer hold.
• Hamilton County population projected at +23% by 2050 — long-run rental-demand tailwind backs the buy-and-hold thesis.

Negotiation context

• It's been on market 16 days — a 2% lower offer ($281k) is reasonable based on typical stale-listing flexibility.
• Current owner paid $127k; list at $285k implies a 124% gain — meaningful room to come down on a strong offer.

Risks & watch-outs

• Climate carrying-cost: extreme-heat days projected 7→19/yr by 2055 (HVAC capex compounding) — expect insurance premiums to compound above CPI over the hold.

Recommended offer $239,473 (16.0% below list)

Questions for the listing agent

1. Built in 1973 — 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: 0.84% ✗
• Cap rate: 6.94%
• Cash-on-cash: 2.31%
• DSCR: 1.10
• GRM: 9.9

CMA / ARV

• ARV (on-the-fly): $459,024
• Comps found: 9

Show comp detail 9 sales within ~0.75 mi

Address	Dist	Beds/Ba	Sqft	Sold	Price	$/sf	Match
533 Elizabeth Crest Rd	0.15mi	3/2.5 (-1)	1,984 (-5%)	20mo	$275,000	$139	61
1013 Wedgewood Dr	0.40mi	4/2.5	2,240 (+7%)	15mo	$384,900	$172	55
9431 E Brainerd Rd	0.51mi	3/2.0 (-1)	2,054 (-2%)	11mo	$450,000	$219	55
902 Cattails Dr	0.37mi	3/2.5 (-1)	2,392 (+14%)	7mo	$544,000	$227	47
1448 Dew Drop Xing	0.75mi	4/2.5	2,340 (+12%)	7mo	$581,000	$248	38
9776 Cobblecreek Way	0.56mi	3/2.5 (-1)	1,800 (-14%)	10mo	$529,000	$294	35
9237 Loch Haven Cv	0.46mi	3/3.0 (-1)	2,334 (+11%)	24mo	$524,900	$225	35
79 Meadowstone Cir	0.67mi	3/2.0 (-1)	1,873 (-11%)	21mo	$385,000	$206	25
12 Briarwood Dr	0.72mi	3/2.0 (-1)	1,800 (-14%)	21mo	$377,500	$210	17

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: -15.7%
• Equity multiple: 0.45×
• Total profit: $-43,517
• Equity at exit: $42,494

10-year hold

• IRR: -12.8%
• Equity multiple: 0.34×
• Total profit: $-52,842
• Equity at exit: $24,642

Cash invested: $79,800 (down + closing). Projections, not guarantees.

Landlord ↔ Tenant lean methodology

• Overall (STATE): 87 Strongly Landlord-Friendly
• State Tennessee: 87 Strongly Landlord-Friendly · R+13
• County: — inherits STATE
• City: — inherits STATE

14-day notice (URLTA); generally landlord-favorable; Nashville court paced moderate.

Methodology + full state rankings →

ZIP-level market 37421

• Rents YoY: -1.0%
• Active inventory: 577
• Price-to-rent: 9.9×

Monthly cashflow live

• Estimated rent: $2,395 high
• Mortgage (P&I): −$1,495
• Tax from tax record: −$125 /mo · $1,498/yr
• Insurance: −$119
• HOA: −$0
• Vacancy / Maint / Mgmt: −$503
• Net cashflow: $154

Break-even live

Break-even rent $2,200

Max offer price $285,000

Occupancy floor 89%

Sensitivity live

Price	-10% $315	-5% $234	+0% $154	+5% $73	+10% $-8
Rent	-10% $-35	-5% $59	+0% $154	+5% $248	+10% $343
Rate	-1.0pp $297	-0.5pp $226	base $154	+0.5pp $80	+1.0pp $5

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: $71,250
• Closing costs: $8,550
• Reserves months: —
• Total cash needed: —

Rent comps 5 comps

Address	Beds	Baths	Sqft	Rent	$/sqft	DOM	Units	Dist
9422 Fuller Rd Chattanooga, TN	3.0	2.0	2500	$2,400	$0.96	15d	1	0.16mi
1165 Fuller Glen Cir Chattanooga, TN	4.0	2.5	2229	$2,595	$1.16	15d	1	0.88mi
216 Brently Woods Dr Chattanooga, TN	3.0	3.0	1440	$2,300	$1.60	25d	1	1.05mi
14 Fawn Ln Ringgold, GA	3.0	2.0	2640	$2,523	$0.96	45d	1	1.19mi
9732 Haven Port Ln Ooltewah, TN	4.0	2.5	2502	$2,600	$1.04	15d	1	1.28mi

Listing history 4 events

1. 2026-05-23
   status Pending
2. 2026-05-18
   price $285,000
3. 2026-05-07
   listed $290,000 Active
4. 2004-05-14
   soldstatus $127,200

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

Tax reassessment forecast TN · Resets to sale price

• Current annual tax: $1,498 · $125/mo
• Projected year-2 tax: $2,024 · $169/mo
• Expected delta: +$526/yr (+$44/mo · 35.1%)

ⓘ 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 4/10 Moderate
• 🌡 Heat 6/10 Major 7 d/yr ≥104°F today · 19 d/yr by 30 yrs out
• 💨 Wind 4/10 Moderate 9% chance of damaging wind over 30 yrs
• 🫁 Air quality 3/10 Moderate 2 unhealthy d/yr today · 2 by 30 yrs out

Taxation est. · year 1

• Rental income: $28,737
• − Mortgage interest: −$15,964
• − Property taxes: −$1,498
• − Insurance: −$1,425
• − Repairs & maintenance: −$2,299
• − Management: −$2,299
• − Depreciation: −$8,291
• Taxable loss: −$3,039
• Est. tax savings @ 24.0%: +$729
• After-tax cash flow: $2,574/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: Hamilton County
• NCES district ID: 4701590
• Math proficiency: 31% ▼ -10.00%
• Reading proficiency: 31% ▼ -3.00%
• Median HH income: $47,456
• Composite: 26.8/100
• National rank: #7122
• State rank: #42 of 139 in TN

Livability — Chattanooga

• Score: 78/100
• State rank: #3
• US rank: #2582

Category grades

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

Schools grade is shown separately in the Schools card above.

Census & demographics

• County: Hamilton County · 312,777 people
• City population: 131,999
• Metro: Chattanooga, TN-GA
• Population (ZIP): 52,985
• Household income: $82,517
• Rent vs Own: 39.8% rent · 60.2% own
• Severe rent burden: 1975.0

Population outlook (Hamilton County) Hauer SSP2

• Today (2025): 393,784 people
• By 2030: 412,983 · +4.9%
• By 2040: 449,502 · +14.1%
• By 2050: 484,341 · +23.0%
• By 2075: 565,746 · +43.7%
• By 2100: 618,394 · +57.0%

Race, ethnicity, and origin ACS 2023

• Neighborhood character: Diverse neighborhood (Simpson 0.56)
• Race & ethnicity: White 61% Black 23% Hispanic / Latino 8% Two or more races 6% Asian 5%
• Hispanic origin (detail): Mexican 5%
• Common ancestry: Italian 2% Slovak 2% Serbian 2%
• Foreign-born: 9% · Canada, South Korea, Vietnam
• Languages at home: 88% English-only · Spanish 6% Other Indo-European 2% Other Asian/Pacific 1%

Political lean MEDSL · Hamilton

• 2024 margin: R (+13.1) · D 42.7% · R 55.7% · Other 1.6%
• 2008→2024 swing: -1.2pp toward R · 2008: -11.8pp · 2024: -13.1pp
• All cycles: 2024: R+13.1 2020: R+9.7 2016: R+16.6 2012: R+14.8 2008: R+11.8

Not yet ingested

• Civics: —

Market trends

• HPI YoY: ▼ -316.60%
• Current HPI: 237.6897
• Rent YoY: ▼ -1.04%
• Metro: Chattanooga, TN-GA
• State GDP YoY: ▲ 2.78%
• F500 in state: 22

Industry mix (Fortune 500 HQ in TN)

Industry	F500 HQs	Revenue
▸Healthcare	3	$91B
▸Retail	3	$72B
▸Transportation / Logistics	1	$88B
▸Paper / Packaging	1	$19B
▸Insurance	1	$13B
▸Energy	1	$12B

Price history

+124.1% since first listed

4 events — show timeline

• 2026-05-23 Pending — GCAR
• 2026-05-18 Price Changed $285,000 GCAR
• 2026-05-07 Listed $290,000 GCAR
• 2004-05-14 Sold (Public Records) $127,200 Public Records

Property tax history

+4.0%/yr

Latest (2025): $1,498 · +20.0% YoY. Source: county tax records.