218 Mulberry Pl · Forestdale, AL 35214

$144,900

3 bd · 2.0 ba · 1,748 sqft · SingleFamily public records · 6 Days on market

Built 1965 0.47 ac lot Est $191k · 24% 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 +19.0/30.0
• ARV discount +15.0/15.0
• DSCR +6.0/10.0
• 1% rule +4.3/10.0
• Livability +2.9/5.0
• Rent growth +2.7/5.0
• Condition / age +2.5/5.0
• Schools +1.8/10.0
• Appreciation +0.0/10.0

Listing remarks

Welcome to a charming single-family home in Birmingham, AL 35214, with 1438 square feet of living space with 3 bedrooms and 2 full bathrooms. Built in 1965, this well-located property sits on a spacious near half-acre lot in an established neighborhood, providing a peaceful residential setting with mature surroundings and plenty of outdoor potential. Inside, the home features a functional layout with generous living areas, comfortable bedroom sizes, and a fireplace that adds warmth and character. The exterior showcases a traditional wood and brick design, complemented by off-street parking for convenience. Ideally situated, the property offers easy access to local schools, shopping, dining,

Key facts

• Off street parking
• 0.47 acre lot
• Built 1965

Tags

• SPACIOUS NEAR HALF ACRE LOT
• GENEROUS LIVING AREAS
• OFF STREET PARKING
• EASY ACCESS TO LOCAL SCHOOLS
• EASY ACCESS TO SHOPPING
• EASY ACCESS TO DINING

Property features AI

Finance

• Other: Lot size approximately 0.47 acres; Subdivision: Darren Estates
• HOA & community: No association fee

Exterior

• Parking: Driveway parking; Off-street parking
• Utilities: Public water; Electric water heater; Internet service available
• Home design: Brick-over-foundation construction; Basement foundation; Existing (previously built) property
• Construction: Brick-over-foundation exterior; Basement foundation; Finished basement with poured concrete walls
• Exterior features: Fenced yard; Porch; BBQ area; Paved road access

Interior

• Kitchen: Laminate countertops; Dishwasher (built-in), refrigerator, electric stove
• Bedrooms: Master bedroom on main level; Additional bedrooms on main level (total of 3 bedrooms)
• Flooring: Carpet flooring
• Bathrooms: Two full bathrooms with tub/shower combos
• Heating & cooling: Electric forced-air heating; Central cooling
• Interior features: Finished full basement with poured concrete walls; Brick fireplace in the living room; Ceilings: other (see remarks); No additional interior features listed
• Laundry & utility: Main-level laundry with washer hookup; Dryer hookups for both electric and gas

What this means for you Summary

Snapshot

• This is a 3-bed/2.0-bath single-family listed at $145k.

Deal economics

• At list price, monthly cash flow is $151 ($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 $134k (7.3% below list).
• Recommended offer: $134k (7.3% below list) — sets the bar for 1% rule.

Location & tenants

• Location reads 58/100 on livability (#367 in AL) — a working-class tenant base; expect higher turnover. Strengths: cost of living A+, housing A+; Watch: employment D+, amenities F, commute 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: Minor High School (math 4% / reading 8%, grade F, #275 of 305 statewide, top 90%, 915 students, 84% FRL) — zoned schools average 84% FRL vs 49% district-wide (35 pts higher); higher-poverty schools than district average — tighter screening recommended.
• Zoned-school proficiency averages 6% at this address vs 20% district-wide (-15 pts) — the specific schools serving this property underperform the Jefferson County average; the district grade overstates school quality for this exact location.
• Market conditions: Rents flat; 116 active listings in the ZIP; 13 comparable units currently listed for rent nearby; rentals at typical pace (median 19d on market — plan ~3-4 weeks tenant-placement turnaround); 2,114 units permitted in Jefferson County in 2024 (556 in 5+ unit buildings).

Forward outlook

• Local home prices are declining (-3.0%/yr); year-one equity from $1k of loan paydown is wiped out by about $4k of value loss. Plan a longer hold.
• Jefferson County population projected to shrink 4% by 2050 — rents likely to lag national; underwrite the cash flow, not the appreciation.

Negotiation context

• Only 6 days on market — expect competitive offers; lowballing is unlikely to land.

Risks & watch-outs

• 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.

Recommended offer $134,371 (7.3% below list)

Questions for the listing agent

1. Built in 1965 — 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 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?
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. 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: 0.93% ✗
• Cap rate: 7.54%
• Cash-on-cash: 4.46%
• DSCR: 1.20
• GRM: 9.0

CMA / ARV

• ARV (on-the-fly): $190,532
• Comps found: 12

Show comp detail 12 sales within ~0.75 mi

Address	Dist	Beds/Ba	Sqft	Sold	Price	$/sf	Match
2133 Arcadia Rd	0.17mi	3/2.0	1,770 (+1%)	5mo	$207,000	$117	86
360 Merrywood Dr	0.39mi	3/2.5	1,737 (-1%)	16mo	$204,000	$117	65
2057 Forestdale Blvd	0.38mi	3/2.0	1,880 (+8%)	6mo	$147,450	$78	64
533 Lanewood Dr	0.61mi	3/2.0	1,682 (-4%)	2mo	$190,000	$113	63
308 Echo Dr	0.55mi	3/2.0	1,618 (-7%)	5mo	$100,000	$62	58
2008 Roberta Rd	0.25mi	3/2.0	1,972 (+13%)	11mo	$215,000	$109	58
628 Heflin Ave E	0.63mi	4/3.0 (+1)	1,753 (+0%)	8mo	$76,000	$43	55
288 Merrywood Dr	0.47mi	3/2.5	1,912 (+9%)	10mo	$229,000	$120	52
375 Clinton St	0.33mi	4/2.0 (+1)	1,500 (-14%)	9mo	$155,000	$103	48
2021 Hanchey Rd	0.59mi	4/2.0 (+1)	1,566 (-10%)	8mo	$160,000	$102	43
420 Heflin Ave	0.63mi	4/1.5 (+1)	1,774 (+2%)	24mo	$200,000	$113	41
1740 Roberta Rd	0.37mi	2/1.0 (-1)	1,512 (-14%)	22mo	$85,405	$56	33

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 · 0.74% rent growth · sell at horizon

5-year hold

• IRR: -11.7%
• Equity multiple: 0.58×
• Total profit: $-16,896
• Equity at exit: $21,605

10-year hold

• IRR: -6.0%
• Equity multiple: 0.65×
• Total profit: $-14,203
• Equity at exit: $12,528

Cash invested: $40,572 (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 →

ZIP-level market 35214

• Home prices YoY: -20.0%
• Rents YoY: 0.7%
• Active inventory: 116
• Price-to-rent: 9.0×

Monthly cashflow live

• Estimated rent: $1,344 high
• Mortgage (P&I): −$760
• Tax from tax record: −$90 /mo · $1,085/yr
• Insurance: −$60
• HOA: −$0
• Vacancy / Maint / Mgmt: −$282
• Net cashflow: $151

Break-even live

Break-even rent $1,153

Max offer price $144,900

Occupancy floor 84%

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: $36,225
• Closing costs: $4,347
• Reserves months: —
• Total cash needed: —

Rent comps 13 comps

Address	Beds	Baths	Sqft	Rent	$/sqft	DOM	Units	Dist
1712 Riderwood Trl Birmingham, AL	3.0	1.0	1456	$1,150	$0.79	16d	1	0.39mi
1533 Choctaw Dr Birmingham, AL	3.0	1.0	1241	$1,175	$0.95	43d	1	0.73mi
308 Cimmaron Dr Birmingham, AL	3.0	2.0	1479	$1,250	$0.85	43d	1	0.76mi
328 Cimmaron Dr Birmingham, AL	3.0	1.0	1472	$1,100	$0.75	43d	1	0.81mi
656 Kenwood Dr Birmingham, AL	3.0	1.0	1252	$1,175	$0.94	16d	1	0.89mi
779 Heflin Ave E Birmingham, AL	3.0	1.5	1052	$1,100	$1.05	19d	1	1.09mi
2410 Roberta Rd Birmingham, AL	3.0	2.0	1560	$1,586	$1.02	21d	1	1.16mi
634 Broken Bow Cir Birmingham, AL	3.0	2.0	1890	$1,625	$0.86	19d	1	1.22mi
161 Cindy Ln Birmingham, AL	3.0	2.0	1388	$1,425	$1.03	23d	1	1.22mi
305 Rose Hill Rd Birmingham, AL	3.0	1.5	1285	$1,200	$0.93	10d	1	1.38mi
828 Clover Dr Birmingham, AL	3.0	2.0	2028	$1,500	$0.74	1d	1	1.41mi
905 Lynndale Ln Birmingham, AL	4.0	2.0	1625	$1,550	$0.95	1d	1	1.42mi
1647 Cherry Ave Birmingham, AL	3.0	2.0	1079	$1,150	$1.07	11d	1	1.48mi

Listing history 6 events

1. 2026-06-18
   days on market $144,900 Active 6 DOM
2. 2026-06-17
   days on market $144,900 Active 5 DOM
3. 2026-06-16
   days on market $144,900 Active 4 DOM
4. 2026-06-15
   days on market $144,900 Active 3 DOM
5. 2026-06-13
   remarks 699-char remark
6. 2026-06-13
   listed $144,900 Active 1 DOM

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

Tax reassessment forecast AL · Resets to sale price

• Current annual tax: $1,085 · $90/mo
• Projected year-2 tax: $1,085 · $90/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 1/10 Low FEMA zone X (unshaded) · 0% chance over 30 yrs
• 🔥 Wildfire 2/10 Low
• 🌡 Heat 6/10 Major 7 d/yr ≥106°F today · 19 d/yr by 30 yrs out
• 💨 Wind 6/10 Major 27% chance of damaging wind over 30 yrs
• 🫁 Air quality 4/10 Moderate 4 unhealthy d/yr today · 8 by 30 yrs out

Taxation est. · year 1

• Rental income: $16,125
• − Mortgage interest: −$8,117
• − Property taxes: −$1,085
• − Insurance: −$724
• − Repairs & maintenance: −$1,290
• − Management: −$1,290
• − Depreciation: −$4,215
• Taxable loss: −$597
• Est. tax savings @ 24.0%: +$143
• After-tax cash flow: $1,954/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: Jefferson County
• NCES district ID: 0101920
• Math proficiency: 9% ▼ -24.00%
• Reading proficiency: 32% ▼ -5.00%
• Median HH income: $51,712
• Composite: 18.4/100
• National rank: #8937
• State rank: #104 of 129 in AL

Livability — Forestdale

• Score: 58/100
• State rank: #367
• US rank: #21236

Category grades

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

Schools grade is shown separately in the Schools card above.

Census & demographics

• Census place: Forestdale, AL
• County: Jefferson County · 527,445 people
• City population: 17,027
• Metro: Birmingham-Hoover, AL
• Population (ZIP): 17,027
• Household income: $56,383
• Rent vs Own: 35.4% rent · 64.6% own
• Severe rent burden: 578.0

Population outlook (Jefferson County) Hauer SSP2

• Today (2025): 669,185 people
• By 2030: 669,694 · +0.1%
• By 2040: 661,388 · -1.2%
• By 2050: 643,086 · -3.9%
• By 2075: 577,267 · -13.7%
• By 2100: 474,758 · -29.1%

Race, ethnicity, and origin ACS 2023

• Neighborhood character: Predominantly Black (77%)
• Race & ethnicity: Black 77% White 18% Two or more races 2%
• Foreign-born: 1% · Canada
• Languages at home: 98% English-only · Spanish 2%

Political lean MEDSL · Jefferson

• 2024 margin: D (+10.4) · D 54.6% · R 44.2% · Other 1.2%
• 2008→2024 swing: +5.4pp toward D · 2008: 5.1pp · 2024: 10.4pp
• All cycles: 2024: D+10.4 2020: D+13.2 2016: D+7.2 2012: D+6.0 2008: D+5.1

Not yet ingested

• Civics: —

Market trends

• HPI YoY: ▼ -54.48%
• Current HPI: 218.5233
• Rent YoY: ▲ 0.74%
• 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

Price history

+326.2% since first listed

6 events — show timeline

• 2026-06-12 Listed $144,900 Greater Alabama MLS
• 2024-03-12 Sold (Public Records) $417,784,000 Public Records
• 2018-06-19 Sold (Public Records) $70,000 Public Records
• 2007-05-02 Sold (Public Records) $92,900 Public Records
• 1987-04-10 Sold (Public Records) $49,500 Public Records
• 1980-10-01 Sold (Public Records) $34,000 Public Records

Property tax history

+9.6%/yr

Latest (2025): $1,085 · +0.7% YoY. Source: county tax records.