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4544 Elmbank Ave
D+ Composite 49.49
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).

  • Cash flow +19.8/30.0
  • ARV discount +7.5/15.0
  • DSCR +6.3/10.0
  • 1% rule +4.0/10.0
  • Appreciation +3.3/10.0
  • Rent growth +2.5/5.0
  • Livability +2.5/5.0
  • Condition / age +2.5/5.0
  • Schools +1.2/10.0

$120,000

4544 Elmbank Ave · St. Louis, MO 63115
3 bd · 1.0 ba · 1,014 sqft · SingleFamily public records · 91 Days on market
Built 1955 5,536 sqft lot $118/sqft · 258% above area

🖨 Deal sheet (PDF) 📄 Offer letter ✓ Due diligence

Listing remarks MLS

Move-in ready and easy to care for! This charming brick home features nice updates throughout, a comfortable layout and spacious bedrooms with plenty of room to relax. The newer roof and windows add value and peace of mind. Enjoy the convenience of a parking pad in the back. A great opportunity for a first-time homebuyer or owner-occupant, with strong potential for investors as well. Conveniently located with easy access to everything St. Louis has to offer. Schedule your showing today!

Key facts

  • 5,536 sq ft lot
  • Built 1955
  • Listed 90 days

Neighborhood map

Property Rental comp Retail Transit Schools Stadiums Fortune 500 · Circle radius: 3.0 mi
Loading POIs…

What this means for you Summary

Snapshot

  • This is a 3-bed/1.0-bath single-family listed at $120k.

Deal economics

  • At list price, monthly cash flow is $142 ($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 $108k (9.7% below list).
  • Recommended offer: $108k (9.7% below list) — sets the bar for 1% rule.
  • Cap rate 7.7% vs local median 5.0% in St. Louis — 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: area grade D — affects rentability + tenant quality, not the cash-flow math above.
  • St. Louis City (urban): math 10% / reading 18% proficiency, ranked #312 of 324 in MO (top 96%) — low school quality limits family demand, transient renter base, plan for 1-2y turnover; 80% free/reduced lunch — lower-income household profile, screen leases tightly.
  • Zoned schools: Nahed Chapman New American Aca (math 2% / reading 2%, grade F, #1,099 of 1,115 statewide, top 100%, 335 students, 99% FRL); Gateway Middle (math 0% / reading 8%, grade F, #389 of 391 statewide, top 100%, 506 students, 99% FRL); Sumner High (math 2% / reading 2%, grade F, #520 of 521 statewide, top 100%, 264 students, 99% FRL) — zoned schools average 99% FRL vs 80% district-wide (19 pts higher); higher-poverty schools than district average — tighter screening recommended.
  • Market conditions: 99 active listings in the ZIP; 20 comparable units currently listed for rent nearby; rentals lingering (median 45d on market — plan ~5-8 weeks vacancy on turnover, expect pricing pressure); 60% of comp listings sitting > 30 days — soft ceiling on asking rent; lower-income renter base — watch delinquency; 294 units permitted in St. Louis city in 2024 (227 in 5+ unit buildings).
  • This rent runs 42% of the median local income ($31k/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 $830 of loan paydown is wiped out by about $4k of value loss. Plan a longer hold.
  • St. Louis County population projected to shrink 6% by 2050 — rents likely to lag national; underwrite the cash flow, not the appreciation.

Negotiation context

  • It's been on market 91 days — a 9% lower offer ($109k) is reasonable based on typical stale-listing flexibility.
  • Current owner paid $17k; list at $120k implies a 598% gain — meaningful room to come down on a strong offer.

Risks & watch-outs

  • Watch-outs: built in 1955 — expect roof / HVAC / electrical / plumbing capex.
  • Climate carrying-cost: extreme-heat days projected 7→21/yr by 2055 (HVAC capex compounding) — expect insurance premiums to compound above CPI over the hold.
Recommended offer $108,372 (9.7% below list)

Questions for the listing agent

  1. It's been on market 91 days. Have you received any prior offers? Is the seller open to a 10% concession, seller financing, or rate buy-down credit?
  2. Built in 1955 — 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. 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?
  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
0.90%
Cap rate
7.71%
Cash-on-cash
5.07%
DSCR
1.23
GRM
9.2

CMA / ARV

ARV (median comp)
$33,503
List price
$120,000
Delta
258.18%
Verdict
OVERPRICED
Comps
20 within 1.0 mi
Show comp detail 12 sales within ~0.75 mi
Address Dist Beds/Ba Sqft Sold Price $/sf Match
4610 Lexington Ave 0.16mi 3/1.5 945 (-7%) 8mo $35,000 $37 73
4729 Margaretta Ave 0.51mi 2/1.0 (-1) 982 (-3%) 2mo $9,900 $10 64
4501 San Francisco Ave 0.36mi 4/1.5 (+1) 1,066 (+5%) 8mo $150,000 $141 61
4610 Penrose St 0.67mi 3/1.5 1,053 (+4%) 3mo $80,000 $76 58
3114 Clarence Ave 0.41mi 3/1.0 925 (-9%) 10mo $39,900 $43 58
4650 Saint Louis Ave 0.25mi 2/1.0 (-1) 902 (-11%) 10mo $20,000 $22 56
4275 E Ashland Ave 0.57mi 2/1.0 (-1) 938 (-8%) 2mo $99,900 $107 54
4607 Lee Ave 0.62mi 3/1.5 912 (-10%) 4mo $25,000 $27 49
4859 Sacramento Ave 0.53mi 2/1.0 (-1) 1,104 (+9%) 11mo $54,900 $50 47
4844 Northland Ave 0.56mi 3/1.0 1,128 (+11%) 10mo $58,500 $52 46
4853 Lee Ave 0.75mi 2/1.0 (-1) 1,092 (+8%) 3mo $29,900 $27 45
4547 Bessie Ave 0.75mi 2/1.0 (-1) 906 (-11%) 4mo $39,500 $44 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 · 3.0% rent growth · sell at horizon

5-year hold
IRR
-8.5%
Equity multiple
0.69×
Total profit
$-10,464
Equity at exit
$17,892
10-year hold
IRR
1.0%
Equity multiple
1.07×
Total profit
$2,302
Equity at exit
$10,375

Cash invested: $33,600 (down + closing). Projections, not guarantees.

Landlord ↔ Tenant lean methodology

Overall (STATE)
81 Strongly Landlord-Friendly
State Missouri
81 Strongly Landlord-Friendly · R+10
County
— inherits STATE
City
— inherits STATE
Generally landlord-friendly; St Louis has some habitability requirements.

ZIP-level market 63115

Home prices YoY
-2.6%
Active inventory
99
Price-to-rent
9.2×

Monthly cashflow live

Estimated rent
$1,084 high interval (Pro) →
Mortgage (P&I)
$629
Tax from tax record
$35 /mo · $420/yr
Insurance
$50
HOA
$0
Vacancy / Maint / Mgmt
$228
Net cashflow
$142

Break-even live

Break-even rent $904
Max offer price $120,000
Occupancy floor 82%

Sensitivity live

Price -10% $210 -5% $176 +0% $142 +5% $108 +10% $74
Rent -10% $56 -5% $99 +0% $142 +5% $185 +10% $227
Rate -1.0pp $202 -0.5pp $172 base $142 +0.5pp $111 +1.0pp $79

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
$30,000
Closing costs
$3,600
Reserves months
Total cash needed

Loan-product check · same deal, 3 products live

Conventional

25% down · 7.5% · 30yr

Down + closing
Monthly P&I
Monthly cashflow
DSCR
Eligible?

Personal DTI + credit; lowest rate.

DSCR

20% down · 8.5% · 30yr

Down + closing
Monthly P&I
Monthly cashflow
DSCR
Eligible?

No personal income docs; deal must DSCR.

Hard money

10% down · 12.0% · 12mo

Down + closing
Monthly P&I
Monthly cashflow
DSCR
Eligible?

Short-term bridge; refi at stabilization.

Rent comps 20 comps

AddressBedsBaths SqftRent$/sqft DOM Units Dist
4627 Maffitt Ave Saint Louis, MO 2.0 1.0 704 $795 $1.13 45d 1 0.30mi
4642 Farlin Ave Unit 1F St. Louis, MO 2.0 1.0 1056 $800 $0.76 45d 1 0.46mi
4378 Cottage Ave St. Louis, MO 2.0 1.5 950 $924 $0.97 0d 5 0.54mi
4040 Shreve Ave Saint Louis, MO 3.0 1.0 1201 $1,250 $1.04 45d 1 0.56mi
4497 Lee Ave Saint Louis, MO 3.0 2.0 1012 $1,000 $0.99 18d 1 0.61mi
4493 Bessie Ave Saint Louis, MO 3.0 1.0 880 $1,250 $1.42 45d 1 0.73mi
2603 Belle Glade Ave Saint Louis, MO 2.0 1.0 945 $800 $0.85 6d 1 0.87mi
4223 Red Bud Ave Unit 1F St. Louis, MO 2.0 1.0 1167 $895 $0.77 45d 1 0.90mi
4847 Calvin Ave Saint Louis, MO 3.0 2.0 1000 $1,473 $1.47 3d 1 0.92mi
1708 Annie Malone Dr Saint Louis, MO 3.0 1.5 924 $1,500 $1.62 45d 1 0.95mi
1232 N Euclid Ave Saint Louis, MO 3.0 1.5 982 $1,395 $1.42 45d 1 1.14mi
2831 Abner Pl Unit 7 St. Louis, MO 2.0 1.0 968 $1,250 $1.29 25d 1 1.22mi
4919 Thekla Ave Saint Louis, MO 2.0 1.0 931 $700 $0.75 45d 1 1.26mi
5333 Patton Ave St. Louis, MO 3.0 1.5 1262 $1,250 $0.99 45d 1 1.32mi
763 Walton Ave Unit 763 St. Louis, MO 2.0 1.0 1100 $1,100 $1.00 45d 1 1.36mi
1965 Arlington Ave Saint Louis, MO 3.0 1.0 980 $1,300 $1.33 6d 1 1.37mi
1420 Union Blvd Unit 2F St. Louis, MO 2.0 1.0 1096 $995 $0.91 45d 1 1.45mi
4400 Delmar Blvd St. Louis, MO 3.0 1.0 1450 $1,600 $1.10 45d 1 1.46mi
5345 Wells Ave Unit 2ND St. Louis, MO 3.0 1.0 1127 $1,095 $0.97 25d 1 1.49mi
5203 Page Blvd Unit 5201 1st Floor St. Louis, MO 2.0 1.0 1000 $750 $0.75 16d 1 1.50mi

Listing history 19 events

  1. 2026-06-21
    days on market $120,000 Active 91 DOM
  2. 2026-06-18
    days on market $120,000 Active 88 DOM
  3. 2026-06-17
    days on market $120,000 Active 87 DOM
  4. 2026-06-16
    days on market $120,000 Active 86 DOM
  5. 2026-06-15
    days on market $120,000 Active 85 DOM
  6. 2026-06-13
    days on market $120,000 Active 83 DOM
  7. 2026-06-09
    days on market $120,000 Active 79 DOM
  8. 2026-06-08
    days on market $120,000 Active 78 DOM
  9. 2026-06-08
    days on market $120,000 Active 77 DOM
  10. 2026-06-05
    days on market $120,000 Active 74 DOM
  11. 2026-06-03
    days on market $120,000 Active 73 DOM
  12. 2026-06-02
    days on market $120,000 Active 72 DOM
  13. 2026-06-02
    price $120,000 Active 71 DOM
  14. 2026-06-01
    days on market $125,000 Active 71 DOM
  15. 2026-05-31
    days on market $125,000 Active 70 DOM
  16. 2026-03-23
    listed $125,000 Active 491-char remark
    Show marketing remark (491 chars)

    Move-in ready and easy to care for! This charming brick home features nice updates throughout, a comfortable layout and spacious bedrooms with plenty of room to relax. The newer roof and windows add value and peace of mind. Enjoy the convenience of a parking pad in the back. A great opportunity for a first-time homebuyer or owner-occupant, with strong potential for investors as well. Conveniently located with easy access to everything St. Louis has to offer. Schedule your showing today!

  17. 2026-03-16
    historical $125,000 491-char remark
    Show marketing remark (491 chars)

    Move-in ready and easy to care for! This charming brick home features nice updates throughout, a comfortable layout and spacious bedrooms with plenty of room to relax. The newer roof and windows add value and peace of mind. Enjoy the convenience of a parking pad in the back. A great opportunity for a first-time homebuyer or owner-occupant, with strong potential for investors as well. Conveniently located with easy access to everything St. Louis has to offer. Schedule your showing today!

  18. 2010-12-22
    soldstatus
  19. 2007-04-23
    soldstatus $17,200

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

Tax reassessment forecast MO · Resets to sale price

Current annual tax
$420 · $35/mo
Projected year-2 tax
$1,164 · $97/mo
Expected delta
+$744/yr (+$62/mo · 177.3%)

ⓘ 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 5/10 Major 7 d/yr ≥107°F today · 21 d/yr by 30 yrs out
  • 💨 Wind 2/10 Low 100% chance of damaging wind over 30 yrs
  • 🫁 Air quality 4/10 Moderate 5 unhealthy d/yr today · 6 by 30 yrs out

Nearby sold comps map

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Walkable amenities ~0.75 mi

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Taxation est. · year 1

Rental income
$13,005
− Mortgage interest
−$6,722
− Property taxes
−$420
− Insurance
−$600
− Repairs & maintenance
−$1,040
− Management
−$1,040
− Depreciation
−$3,491
Taxable loss
−$309
combined federal + state — saved on this device
Est. tax savings @ 24.0%
+$74
After-tax cash flow
$1,776/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
St. Louis City
NCES district ID
2929280
Math proficiency
10% ▼ -6.00%
Reading proficiency
18% ▼ -3.00%
Median HH income
$35,685
Composite
11.54/100
National rank
#9699
State rank
#312 of 324 in MO

Livability — St. Louis

No livability data for this city. (Only ~50 U.S. cities are tracked.)

Census & demographics

Census place
St. Louis, MO
County
Saint Louis City · 254,015 people
City population
283,259
Metro
St. Louis, MO-IL
Population (ZIP)
14,488
Household income
$30,622
Rent vs Own
57.7% rent · 42.3% own
Severe rent burden
1655.0

Population outlook (St. Louis County) Hauer SSP2

Today (2025)
315,737 people
By 2030
313,865 · -0.6%
By 2040
305,439 · -3.3%
By 2050
296,529 · -6.1%
By 2075
271,028 · -14.2%
By 2100
255,359 · -19.1%

Race, ethnicity, and origin ACS 2023

Neighborhood character
Predominantly Black (95%)
Race & ethnicity
Black 95% White 2% Two or more races 2%
Foreign-born
0%

Political lean MEDSL · St. Louis

2024 margin
Solid D (+64.7) · D 81.4% · R 16.7% · Other 2.0%
2008→2024 swing
-3.5pp toward R · 2008: 68.2pp · 2024: 64.7pp
All cycles
2024: D+64.7 2020: D+66.2 2016: D+63.7 2012: D+66.6 2008: D+68.2

Not yet ingested

Civics

Market trends

HPI YoY
▼ -3.42%
Current HPI
127.3403
Rent YoY
Metro
St. Louis, MO-IL
State GDP YoY
▲ 1.84%
F500 in state
20

Industry mix (Fortune 500 HQ in MO)

Industry F500 HQs Revenue

Price history

+626.7% since first listed
4 events — show timeline
  • 2026-03-23 Listed $125,000 MARIS as Distributed by MLS Grid
  • 2026-03-16 Coming Soon $125,000 MARIS as Distributed by MLS Grid
  • 2010-12-22 Sold (Public Records) Public Records
  • 2007-04-23 Sold (Public Records) $17,200 Public Records

Property tax history

-1.1%/yr

Latest (2024): $420 · +4.8% YoY. Source: county tax records.

Cash-flow waterfall

monthly

Sold comps — $/sqft

last 12 mo · ≤1 mi

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