3 bd · 2.5 ba ·
1,520 sqft ·
Built 1975
· Townhouse
· Active
· 113 DOM
Cashflow @ list (25.0% down · 7.5%)
Estimated rent
$2,201/mo
Mortgage (P&I)
−$524
Tax + insurance
−$166
HOA
−$725
Vac / Maint / Mgmt
−$462
Net cashflow
$324/mo
Annual
$3,884/yr
Cap rate
10.18%
Cash-on-cash
13.88%
DSCR
1.62
1% rule
2.20%
Cash to close
$27,972
Investor read
This is a 3-bed/2.5-bath townhouse listed at $100k. Condition is rated good.
At list price, monthly cash flow is $324 ($4k/yr) — positive.
The deal already cash-flows at list — no discount required.
Meets the 1% rule at list price ($2k rent vs $100k).
It's been on market 113 days — a 9% lower offer ($91k) is reasonable based on typical stale-listing flexibility.
Recommended offer: $91k (9.0% below list) — sets the bar for market timing.
Local home prices are declining (-3.0%/yr); year-one equity from $691 of loan paydown is wiped out by about $3k of value loss. Plan a longer hold.
Location reads 67/100 on livability (#78 in AL) — a middle-class / working-renter tenant base. Strengths: commute A+, cost of living A+, housing A+; Watch: amenities C-, crime F, employment F.
Jefferson County (suburban): math 9% / reading 32% proficiency, ranked #104 of 129 in AL (top 81%) — low school quality limits family demand, transient renter base, plan for 1-2y turnover.
Zoned schools: Grantswood Community School (math 8% / reading 34%, grade F, #451 of 627 statewide, top 72%, 418 students, 52% FRL); Irondale Middle School (math 2% / reading 35%, grade F, #195 of 257 statewide, top 76%, 467 students, 58% FRL); Shades Valley High School (math 29% / reading 39%, grade F, #53 of 305 statewide, top 18%, 1,200 students, 68% FRL).
Watch-outs: HOA is 33% of rent.
Market conditions: Rents rising (+2.6%/yr); 199 active listings in the ZIP; 36 comparable units currently listed for rent nearby; rentals lingering (median 63d on market — plan ~5-8 weeks vacancy on turnover, expect pricing pressure); 53% of comp listings sitting > 30 days — soft ceiling on asking rent; 2,114 units permitted in Jefferson County in 2024 (556 in 5+ unit buildings).
Jefferson County population projected to shrink 4% by 2050 — rents likely to lag national; underwrite the cash flow, not the appreciation.
3 sale attempts; this cycle's ask has dropped $10k (9%) from the opening price — seller is motivated, your offer sets the floor, not the list.
At projected returns (-3.0% appreciation + 2.6% rent growth), your $28k cash investment doubles in ~9 years — after that, you're playing with house money.
Climate carrying-cost: major wind risk, 27% chance of damaging wind over 30y; extreme-heat days projected 7→19/yr by 2055 (HVAC capex compounding) — expect insurance premiums to compound above CPI over the hold.
Cap rate 10.2% vs local median 6.1% in Birmingham — 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.
This rent runs 35% of the median local income ($75k/yr) — at the standard rent-burdened threshold; future hikes will face affordability resistance.
Questions for listing agent
It's been on market 113 days. Have you received any prior offers? Is the seller open to a 9% concession, seller financing, or rate buy-down credit?
Built in 1975 — when were the roof, HVAC, electrical panel, plumbing, and water heater last replaced?
What does the HOA fee cover, when was the last increase, and are there any pending special assessments or reserve-fund shortfalls?
Why hasn't it sold? Are there any deal-killer items the seller is aware of (foundation, flood, title, zoning, code violations)?
Is there a deadline driving the sale (1031 exchange, divorce, estate, relocation)? That informs how much negotiation room exists.
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?
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?
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.
CashFlowRE · CFR-9Z0VHNBQHCQTFN
· Data 10 h agocashflowre.app · 2026-05-29