226 Amber Ave · Calera, AL 35040

$242,290

3 bd · 2.0 ba · 1,143 sqft · SingleFamily · 60 Days on market

Built 2026 Excellent condition 7,840 sqft lot Garage $212/sqft · at area comps Est $245k · at est. $19/mo HOA · 1% of rent

---

Why this score? — see what drove the F 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 +8.1/15.0
• Cash flow +7.5/30.0
• Condition / age +5.0/5.0
• Rent growth +3.4/5.0
• Livability +3.0/5.0
• 1% rule +2.3/10.0
• Schools +2.3/10.0
• DSCR +1.6/10.0
• Appreciation +0.0/10.0

Listing remarks MLS

At the heart of this new single-level home is a welcoming living room ideal for gatherings and a peninsula-style kitchen to craft delicious meals. The owner's suite is a serene retreat and situated at the opposite side of the home from the two secondary bedrooms, granting homeowners maximum privacy. Rounding out the space is a two-car garage at the front to provide versatile storage space.

Key facts

• Covered front porch
• Large living room
• Blinds included

Tags

• COVERED FRONT PORCH
• FRONT YARD LANDSCAPING
• LARGE LIVING ROOM
• WASHER DRYER INCLUDED
• REFRIGERATOR INCLUDED
• BLINDS INCLUDED

What this means for you Summary

Snapshot

• This is a 3-bed/2.0-bath single-family listed at $242k. Condition is rated excellent.

Deal economics

• At list price, monthly cash flow is $-302 ($-4k/yr) — negative.
• To cash-flow at today's rent, offer at most $199k (18.0% below list).
• To meet the 1% rule (rent ≥ 1% of price), the offer needs to be $176k (27.3% below list).
• Recommended offer: $176k (27.3% below list) — sets the bar for 1% rule.

Location & tenants

• Location reads 59/100 on livability (#325 in AL) — a working-class tenant base; expect higher turnover. Strengths: cost of living A+, housing A+, employment A-; Watch: amenities F, commute F, health & safety F.
• Shelby County (suburban): math 30% / reading 58% proficiency, ranked #16 of 129 in AL (top 12%) — families likely to look elsewhere, expect single-tenant / working-renter base with shorter leases.
• Zoned schools: Calera Elementary (752 students, 64% FRL); Calera Middle (math 9% / reading 45%, grade F, #147 of 257 statewide, top 58%, 755 students, 61% FRL); Calera High (math 18% / reading 21%, grade F, #169 of 305 statewide, top 59%, 1,066 students, 59% FRL) — zoned schools average 62% FRL vs 26% district-wide (36 pts higher); higher-poverty schools than district average — tighter screening recommended.
• Zoned-school proficiency averages 23% at this address vs 44% district-wide (-21 pts) — the specific schools serving this property underperform the Shelby County average; the district grade overstates school quality for this exact location.
• Market conditions: Rents rising (+3.7%/yr); 427 active listings in the ZIP; 12 comparable units currently listed for rent nearby; rentals lingering (median 42d on market — plan ~5-8 weeks vacancy on turnover, expect pricing pressure); 75% of comp listings sitting > 30 days — soft ceiling on asking rent; solid renter incomes; 987 units permitted in Shelby County in 2024 (0 in 5+ unit buildings).

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.
• Shelby 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 60 days — a 3% lower offer ($235k) is reasonable based on typical stale-listing flexibility.
• 3 sale attempts 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.

Recommended offer $176,191 (27.3% below list)

Questions for the listing agent

1. What do current leases actually rent for vs. the listed asking? Can we see a recent rent roll and the last 12 months of T-12 income?
2. It's been on market 60 days. Have you received any prior offers? Is the seller open to a 27% concession, seller financing, or rate buy-down credit?
3. What does the HOA fee cover, when was the last increase, and are there any pending special assessments or reserve-fund shortfalls?
4. Is there a deadline driving the sale (1031 exchange, divorce, estate, relocation)? That informs how much negotiation room exists.
5. Schools are D-rated, which usually means shorter tenancies and higher turnover. Who's the typical renter profile here, and what's been the actual vacancy rate?
6. 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?
7. 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.
8. 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.
9. 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: 0.73% ✗
• Cap rate: 4.80%
• Cash-on-cash: -5.33%
• DSCR: 0.76
• GRM: 11.5

CMA / ARV

• ARV (median comp): $245,380
• List price: $242,290
• Delta: -2.69%
• Verdict: FAIR
• Comps: 20 within 1.0 mi

Show comp detail 12 sales within ~0.75 mi

Address	Dist	Beds/Ba	Sqft	Sold	Price	$/sf	Match
817 Ashford Dr	0.31mi	3/2.0	1,143 (0%)	3mo	$213,620	$187	83
609 Klynes Dr	0.32mi	3/2.0	1,143 (0%)	3mo	$230,000	$201	82
283 Amber Ave	0.13mi	3/2.0	1,209 (+6%)	3mo	$232,000	$192	81
608 Klynes Dr	0.39mi	3/2.0	1,143 (0%)	3mo	$230,000	$201	79
813 Ashford Dr	0.31mi	3/2.0	1,068 (-7%)	3mo	$211,620	$198	72
877 Ashford Dr	0.31mi	3/2.0	1,068 (-7%)	4mo	$209,900	$197	72
252 18th St	0.36mi	3/1.5	1,215 (+6%)	3mo	$192,000	$158	69
625 Klynes Dr	0.44mi	3/2.0	1,209 (+6%)	4mo	$229,555	$190	67
821 Ashford Dr	0.31mi	3/2.0	1,012 (-12%)	3mo	$206,500	$204	64
1003 Meriweather Dr	0.69mi	3/2.0	1,177 (+3%)	4mo	$225,000	$191	59
117 Renwick Ln	0.46mi	3/2.0	1,269 (+11%)	4mo	$230,000	$181	56
232 Hampton Dr	0.73mi	3/2.0	1,274 (+12%)	2mo	$235,000	$184	45

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 · 3.67% rent growth · sell at horizon

5-year hold

• IRR: -24.6%
• Equity multiple: 0.16×
• Total profit: $-57,230
• Equity at exit: $36,126

10-year hold

• IRR: -18.4%
• Equity multiple: -0.02×
• Total profit: $-69,433
• Equity at exit: $20,949

Cash invested: $67,841 (down + closing). Projections, not guarantees.

Landlord ↔ Tenant lean methodology

• Overall (STATE): 90 Strongly Landlord-Friendly
• State Alabama: 90 Strongly Landlord-Friendly · R+15
• County: — inherits STATE
• City: — inherits STATE

Right-to-evict in 7 days for non-payment; no rent control; preempted statewide; courts move quickly.

Methodology + full state rankings →

Buyer's market Market conditions within 1.0 mi — comparable homes for sale

Active competition Active MLS

• For sale now: 31 active · 16 under contract
• Months of supply: 6.4 mo (16%/mo absorbed)
• Median asking: $253,590 ($188/sqft)
• Median days on market: 170 d
• This list price: 29% of active listings are priced below it
• ARV vs active asking: +14.0% above current asking $/sqft

Closed sales set the value; these active listings set current market conditions and a practical price ceiling.

ZIP-level market 35040

• Home prices YoY: -16.5%
• Rents YoY: 3.7%
• Active inventory: 427
• Price-to-rent: 11.5×

Monthly cashflow live

• Estimated rent: $1,762 high
• Mortgage (P&I): −$1,271
• Tax est. 1.5%: −$303 /mo · $3,634/yr
• Insurance: −$101
• HOA: −$19
• Vacancy / Maint / Mgmt: −$370
• Net cashflow: $-302

Break-even live

Break-even rent $2,144

Max offer price $198,662

Occupancy floor —

Sensitivity live

Price	-10% $-134	-5% $-218	+0% $-302	+5% $-385	+10% $-469
Rent	-10% $-441	-5% $-371	+0% $-302	+5% $-232	+10% $-162
Rate	-1.0pp $-179	-0.5pp $-240	base $-302	+0.5pp $-364	+1.0pp $-428

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: $60,572
• Closing costs: $7,269
• Club membership (one-time): —
• Reserves months: —
• Total cash needed: —

Rent comps 12 comps

Address	Beds	Baths	Sqft	Rent	$/sqft	DOM	Units	Dist
1114 Emerald Ridge Dr Calera, AL	3.0	2.0	1166	$1,476	$1.27	46d	1	0.13mi
1925 2nd Ave Calera, AL	3.0	1.5	1005	$1,618	$1.61	33d	1	0.31mi
817 Ashford Dr Calera, AL	3.0	2.0	1143	$1,895	$1.66	72d	1	0.31mi
813 Ashford Dr Calera, AL	3.0	2.0	1068	$2,084	$1.95	39d	1	0.31mi
821 Ashford Dr Calera, AL	3.0	2.0	1012	$1,895	$1.87	72d	1	0.31mi
884 Camden Loop Calera, AL	3.0	2.0	1143	$1,595	$1.40	17d	1	0.35mi
127 Renwick Ln Calera, AL	3.0	2.0	1395	$1,501	$1.08	72d	1	0.45mi
512 Camden Cove Cir Calera, AL	3.0	2.0	1500	$1,700	$1.13	41d	1	0.67mi
512 Camden Cove Cir Calera, AL	3.0	2.0	1500	$1,700	$1.13	39d	1	0.67mi
108 Flagstone Ln Calera, AL	3.0	2.0	1278	$1,385	$1.08	25d	1	0.79mi
208 Hampton Dr Calera, AL	3.0	2.0	1293	$1,738	$1.34	65d	1	0.80mi
500 Margaret Ln Calera, AL	3.0	2.0	1337	$1,653	$1.24	19d	1	0.88mi

Property features AI

Finance

• Other: Subdivision: Camden ParkLot number 102Lot size approximately 0.18 acresProperty not in a flood plain
• HOA & community: Annual association fee of $225 covering common grounds maintenance and managementMonthly garbage fee of $25

Exterior

• Parking: Attached front-entry garage with 2 parking spaces on main level
• Utilities: Public waterConnected sewerUnderground utilitiesInternet available (AT&T or Spectrum)
• Home design: Single-family home (under construction)Per building plan square footage
• Construction: One-side brick and vinyl siding exteriorSlab foundation
• Exterior features: Front porchOpen patioSidewalks and street lights in neighborhoodNot waterfrontNo poolNo garden or deck

Interior

• Kitchen: Solid surface and stone countertopsBreakfast bar and eating areaPantryBuilt-in dishwasherBuilt-in microwaveGarbage disposalSelf-cleaning ovenGas stoveRefrigerator includedSome stainless appliances
• Bedrooms: Master bedroom on main levelTwo additional bedrooms on main levelWalk-in closetsLinen closet
• Flooring: Hardwood laminateVinyl flooring
• Bathrooms: Two full bathroomsMaster bathroom with double showerTub/shower combo in secondary bath
• Heating & cooling: Gas heatingCentral cooling
• Interior features: 9-foot plus ceilingsRecessed lightingAll window treatments remain
• Laundry & utility: Main-level laundry roomWasher hookupElectric dryer hookupGas water heaterPull-down attic access

Listing history 50 events

1. 2026-08-08
   days on market $242,290 Active 60 DOM
2. 2026-08-07
   days on market $242,290 Active 59 DOM
3. 2026-08-06
   days on market $242,290 Active 58 DOM
4. 2026-08-05
   days on market $242,290 Active 57 DOM
5. 2026-08-04
   days on market $242,290 Active 56 DOM
6. 2026-08-03
   days on market $242,290 Active 55 DOM
7. 2026-08-01
   price $242,290 Active 52 DOM
8. 2026-07-31
   days on market $240,290 Active 52 DOM
9. 2026-07-30
   days on market $240,290 Active 51 DOM
10. 2026-07-30
    days on market $240,290 Active 50 DOM
11. 2026-07-28
    days on market $240,290 Active 49 DOM
12. 2026-07-24
    days on market $240,290 Active 45 DOM
13. 2026-07-23
    days on market $240,290 Active 44 DOM
14. 2026-07-22
    days on market $240,290 Active 43 DOM

    Show marketing remark (392 chars)

    At the heart of this new single-level home is a welcoming living room ideal for gatherings and a peninsula-style kitchen to craft delicious meals. The owner's suite is a serene retreat and situated at the opposite side of the home from the two secondary bedrooms, granting homeowners maximum privacy. Rounding out the space is a two-car garage at the front to provide versatile storage space.

15. 2026-07-21
    days on market $240,290 Active 42 DOM
16. 2026-07-20
    days on market $240,290 Active 41 DOM
17. 2026-07-19
    days on market $240,290 Active 39 DOM
18. 2026-07-18
    days on market $240,290 Active 38 DOM
19. 2026-07-16
    days on market $240,290 Active 37 DOM
20. 2026-07-15
    days on market $240,290 Active 36 DOM
21. 2026-07-14
    days on market $240,290 Active 35 DOM

    Show marketing remark (392 chars)

    At the heart of this new single-level home is a welcoming living room ideal for gatherings and a peninsula-style kitchen to craft delicious meals. The owner's suite is a serene retreat and situated at the opposite side of the home from the two secondary bedrooms, granting homeowners maximum privacy. Rounding out the space is a two-car garage at the front to provide versatile storage space.

22. 2026-07-13
    days on market $240,290 Active 34 DOM
23. 2026-07-13
    days on market $240,290 Active 33 DOM
24. 2026-07-11
    days on market $240,290 Active 32 DOM
25. 2026-07-10
    days on market $240,290 Active 31 DOM
26. 2026-07-09
    days on market $240,290 Active 30 DOM
27. 2026-07-07
    days on market $240,290 Active 28 DOM
28. 2026-07-06
    days on market $240,290 Active 27 DOM
29. 2026-07-05
    days on market $240,290 Active 26 DOM
30. 2026-07-04
    price $240,290 Active 24 DOM
31. 2026-07-03
    days on market $238,790 Active 24 DOM
32. 2026-07-02
    days on market $238,790 Active 23 DOM
33. 2026-07-01
    days on market $238,790 Active 22 DOM
34. 2026-06-30
    days on market $238,790 Active 21 DOM
35. 2026-06-29
    days on market $238,790 Active 20 DOM
36. 2026-06-28
    days on market $238,790 Active 19 DOM
37. 2026-06-27
    days on market $238,790 Active 18 DOM
38. 2026-06-27
    days on market $238,790 Active 17 DOM
39. 2026-06-25
    days on market $238,790 Active 15 DOM
40. 2026-06-22
    days on market $238,790 Active 13 DOM
41. 2026-06-21
    days on market $238,790 Active 12 DOM
42. 2026-06-18
    days on market $238,790 Active 9 DOM
43. 2026-06-17
    days on market $238,790 Active 8 DOM
44. 2026-06-16
    days on market $238,790 Active 7 DOM

    Show marketing remark (392 chars)

    At the heart of this new single-level home is a welcoming living room ideal for gatherings and a peninsula-style kitchen to craft delicious meals. The owner's suite is a serene retreat and situated at the opposite side of the home from the two secondary bedrooms, granting homeowners maximum privacy. Rounding out the space is a two-car garage at the front to provide versatile storage space.

45. 2026-06-15
    days on market $238,790 Active 6 DOM
46. 2026-06-13
    days on market $238,790 Active 4 DOM
47. 2026-06-13
    days on market $238,790 Active 3 DOM
48. 2026-06-10
    remarks 616-char remark
49. 2026-06-10
    days on marketlisting id $238,790 Active 1 DOM
50. 2026-06-09
    days on market $238,790 Active 62 DOM

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

Taxation est. · year 1

• Rental income: $21,143
• − Mortgage interest: −$13,572
• − Property taxes: −$3,634
• − Insurance: −$1,211
• − Repairs & maintenance: −$1,691
• − Management: −$1,691
• − HOA: −$228
• − Depreciation: −$7,048
• Taxable loss: −$7,934
• Est. tax savings @ 24.0%: +$1,904
• After-tax cash flow: $-1,714/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.

Condition & rehab AI · 1 photo

Excellent 100/100 None rehab

This single-family home is in excellent condition with no visible repairs or maintenance needed. It offers a good return on investment with updates that can significantly increase its resale and rental value.

Value-add opportunities

• Both Painting exterior and interior — Enhances curb appeal and interior aesthetics ↑
• Both Landscaping improvements — Enhances curb appeal and adds value ↑
• Both New flooring in bathrooms — Improves aesthetics and functionality ↑
• Both New kitchen backsplash — Enhances kitchen aesthetics and functionality ↑

F Composite school gradezoned avg 23/100

Zoned Schools

Elementary Calera Elementary Middle Calera Middle F AL #147/257 Nat'l #9,793/14,009 High Calera High F AL #169/305 Nat'l #14,491/17,239

Schools (NCES district)

• District: Shelby County
• NCES district ID: 0103030
• Math proficiency: 30% ▼ -28.00%
• Reading proficiency: 58% ▲ 2.00%
• Median HH income: $66,672
• Composite: 39.29/100
• National rank: #3995
• State rank: #16 of 129 in AL

D Composite livability gradescore 59/100

Livability — Calera

• Score: 59/100
• State rank: #325
• US rank: #19917

Category grades

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

Schools grade is shown separately in the Schools card above.

Census & demographics

• Census place: Calera, AL
• County: Shelby County · 237,024 people
• City population: 19,304
• Metro: Birmingham-Hoover, AL
• Population (ZIP): 19,304
• Household income: $84,554
• Rent vs Own: 21.1% rent · 78.9% own
• Severe rent burden: 6% of renters

---

Population outlook (Shelby County) Hauer SSP2

• Today (2025): 237,024 people
• By 2030: 249,868 · +5.4%
• By 2040: 272,778 · +15.1%
• By 2050: 291,062 · +22.8%
• By 2075: 326,049 · +37.6%
• By 2100: 335,870 · +41.7%

---

Race, ethnicity, and origin ACS 2023

• Neighborhood character: Diverse neighborhood (Simpson 0.56)
• Race & ethnicity: White 59% Black 30% Hispanic / Latino 9% Two or more races 3%
• Hispanic origin (detail): Mexican 7%
• Common ancestry: Slovak 3% Italian 1% Serbian 1%
• Foreign-born: 6% · Canada, China
• Languages at home: 91% English-only · Spanish 6% Arabic 1% Chinese 1%

---

Political lean MEDSL · Shelby

• 2024 margin: Solid R (+40.9) · D 29.0% · R 69.9% · Other 1.1%
• 2008→2024 swing: +12.6pp toward D · 2008: -53.4pp · 2024: -40.9pp
• All cycles: 2024: R+40.9 2020: R+40.4 2016: R+50.3 2012: R+55.6 2008: R+53.4

Not yet ingested

• Civics: —

Market trends

• HPI YoY: ▼ -43.58%
• Current HPI: 220.2843
• Rent YoY: ▲ 3.67%
• Metro: Birmingham-Hoover, AL
• State GDP YoY: ▲ 2.94%
• F500 in state: 4

---

Industry mix (Fortune 500 HQ in AL)

Industry	F500 HQs	Revenue
▸Financial Services	1	$8B
▸Healthcare	1	$5B

Property features AI

Finance

• Other: Subdivision: Camden ParkLot number 102Lot size approximately 0.18 acresProperty not in a flood plain
• HOA & community: Annual association fee of $225 covering common grounds maintenance and managementMonthly garbage fee of $25

Exterior

• Parking: Attached front-entry garage with 2 parking spaces on main level
• Utilities: Public waterConnected sewerUnderground utilitiesInternet available (AT&T or Spectrum)
• Home design: Single-family home (under construction)Per building plan square footage
• Construction: One-side brick and vinyl siding exteriorSlab foundation
• Exterior features: Front porchOpen patioSidewalks and street lights in neighborhoodNot waterfrontNo poolNo garden or deck

Interior

• Kitchen: Solid surface and stone countertopsBreakfast bar and eating areaPantryBuilt-in dishwasherBuilt-in microwaveGarbage disposalSelf-cleaning ovenGas stoveRefrigerator includedSome stainless appliances
• Bedrooms: Master bedroom on main levelTwo additional bedrooms on main levelWalk-in closetsLinen closet
• Flooring: Hardwood laminateVinyl flooring
• Bathrooms: Two full bathroomsMaster bathroom with double showerTub/shower combo in secondary bath
• Heating & cooling: Gas heatingCentral cooling
• Interior features: 9-foot plus ceilingsRecessed lightingAll window treatments remain
• Laundry & utility: Main-level laundry roomWasher hookupElectric dryer hookupGas water heaterPull-down attic access

Price history

+2.9% since first listed

10 events — show timeline

• 2026-07-22 Price Changed $242,290 Zillow
• 2026-07-14 Price Changed $241,290 Zillow
• 2026-07-14 Relisted — Zillow
• 2026-07-04 Price Changed $240,290 Greater Alabama MLS
• 2026-06-16 Delisted — Zillow
• 2026-06-09 Listed $238,790 Greater Alabama MLS
• 2026-05-26 Price Changed $238,790 Zillow
• 2026-04-23 Price Changed $232,790 Zillow
• 2026-04-16 Price Changed $229,790 Zillow
• 2026-04-08 Listed $235,540 Zillow