897 Polk Ave · Akron, OH 44314

$99,000

3 bd · 1.0 ba · 1,646 sqft · SingleFamily public records · 22 Days on market

Built 1925 4,800 sqft lot Est $117k · 15% under

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Why this score? — see what drove the B 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 +28.4/30.0
• ARV discount +14.4/15.0
• DSCR +10.0/10.0
• 1% rule +8.2/10.0
• Livability +4.0/5.0
• Rent growth +3.5/5.0
• Condition / age +2.5/5.0
• Schools +2.1/10.0
• Appreciation +0.0/10.0

Listing remarks MLS

Great Invest Opportunity. This colonial features 4 bedrooms; full bath; and finished 3rd floor. Kitchen offers ample cabinetry and counter space with eat in kitchen area. Living Room with decorative stone fireplace. Formal Dining Room. Full Basement for extra storage. Bring your decorating ideas and make this your home!! Schedule your showing Today and submit your offer.

Key facts

• Cozy stone fireplace
• Eat-in kitchen
• Fourth bedroom

Tags

• FOURTH BEDROOM
• EAT-IN KITCHEN
• AMPLE STORAGE
• COZY STONE FIREPLACE

Property features AI

Exterior

• Parking: Driveway parking
• Utilities: Public water; Public sewer
• Home design: Two-story home
• Construction: Cedar and shingle siding; Asphalt fiberglass roof; Built per public records
• Exterior features: Driveway

Interior

• Kitchen: Eat-in kitchen with breakfast bar
• Bedrooms: Multiple bedrooms on upper levels; one bedroom connects to a sun room; One bedroom located on the third level (attic/upper level)
• Flooring: Wood flooring in main living areas, dining room, bedrooms, and kitchen; Ceramic tile in bathroom; Concrete flooring in lower-level areas
• Bathrooms: One full bathroom; Oversized, updated bathroom
• Heating & cooling: Forced-air heating powered by gas
• Interior features: Cozy stone fireplace; Built-in storage in the dining room; Full basement
• Laundry & utility: Lower-level laundry room

What this means for you Summary

Snapshot

• This is a 3-bed/1.0-bath single-family listed at $99k.

Deal economics

• At list price, monthly cash flow is $321 ($4k/yr) — positive.
• The deal already cash-flows at list — no discount required.
• Meets the 1% rule at list price ($1k rent vs $99k).
• Recommended offer: $98k (1.5% below list) — sets the bar for market timing.
• Cap rate 10.2% vs local median 6.6% in Akron — 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 81/100 on livability (#104 in OH, #1,591 nationally) — a professional / high-income tenant draw. Strengths: amenities A+, commute A+, cost of living A+; Watch: crime F, employment F.
• Akron City (urban): math 22% / reading 30% proficiency, ranked #602 of 656 in OH (top 92%) — low school quality limits family demand, transient renter base, plan for 1-2y turnover; 66% free/reduced lunch — lower-income household profile, screen leases tightly.
• Market conditions: Rents rising (+3.9%/yr); 104 active listings in the ZIP; 20 comparable units currently listed for rent nearby; rentals at typical pace (median 24d on market — plan ~3-4 weeks tenant-placement turnaround); 40% of comp listings sitting > 30 days — soft ceiling on asking rent; 1,114 units permitted in Summit County in 2024 (397 in 5+ unit buildings).
• This rent runs 33% of the median local income ($47k/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 $684 of loan paydown is wiped out by about $3k of value loss. Plan a longer hold.
• Summit County population projected to shrink 6% by 2050 — rents likely to lag national; underwrite the cash flow, not the appreciation.
• At projected returns (-3.0% appreciation + 3.9% rent growth), your $28k cash investment doubles in ~8 years — after that, you're playing with house money.

Negotiation context

• It's been on market 22 days — a 2% lower offer ($98k) is reasonable based on typical stale-listing flexibility.
• 9 sale attempts since 25y ago; this cycle's ask has dropped $16k (14%) from the opening price — seller is motivated, your offer sets the floor, not the list.
• Current owner paid $17k; list at $99k implies a 491% gain — meaningful room to come down on a strong offer.

Risks & watch-outs

• Watch-outs: built in 1925 — expect roof / HVAC / electrical / plumbing capex.

Recommended offer $97,515 (1.5% below list)

Questions for the listing agent

1. Built in 1925 — 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. 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?
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: 1.32% ✓
• Cap rate: 10.18%
• Cash-on-cash: 13.89%
• DSCR: 1.62
• GRM: 6.3

CMA / ARV

• ARV (on-the-fly): $116,866
• Comps found: 12

Show comp detail 12 sales within ~0.75 mi

Address	Dist	Beds/Ba	Sqft	Sold	Price	$/sf	Match
898 Iona Ave	0.03mi	4/2.0 (+1)	1,698 (+3%)	6mo	$51,000	$30	79
867 Battles Ave	0.09mi	4/1.5 (+1)	1,597 (-3%)	6mo	$111,900	$70	78
962 Iona Ave	0.12mi	3/1.0	1,443 (-12%)	2mo	$132,000	$91	72
2016 13th St SW	0.15mi	3/1.0	1,828 (+11%)	6mo	$87,300	$48	70
1037 Harpster Ave	0.32mi	3/2.5	1,739 (+6%)	1mo	$175,000	$101	69
2060 6th St SW	0.53mi	3/1.5	1,716 (+4%)	1mo	$160,000	$93	66
721 Polk Ave	0.34mi	3/1.5	1,500 (-9%)	4mo	$70,000	$47	64
2238 7th St SW	0.56mi	4/1.0 (+1)	1,721 (+5%)	7mo	$93,000	$54	56
2246 7th St SW	0.57mi	3/1.5	1,487 (-10%)	5mo	$106,000	$71	51
2070 6th St SW	0.52mi	3/1.0	1,440 (-12%)	6mo	$142,500	$99	50
2190 21st St SW	0.38mi	4/1.0 (+1)	1,403 (-15%)	7mo	$123,000	$88	47
2271 5th St SW	0.70mi	2/2.0 (-1)	1,508 (-8%)	3mo	$95,000	$63	42

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 · 3.91% rent growth · sell at horizon

5-year hold

• IRR: 5.2%
• Equity multiple: 1.20×
• Total profit: $5,634
• Equity at exit: $14,761

10-year hold

• IRR: 15.5%
• Equity multiple: 2.31×
• Total profit: $36,425
• Equity at exit: $8,560

Cash invested: $27,720 (down + closing). Projections, not guarantees.

Landlord ↔ Tenant lean methodology

• Overall (STATE): 73 Landlord-Friendly
• State Ohio: 73 Landlord-Friendly · R+6
• County: — inherits STATE
• City: — inherits STATE

3-day notice; Cleveland / Columbus have some habitability code enforcement; otherwise landlord-leaning.

Methodology + full state rankings →

ZIP-level market 44314

• Rents YoY: 3.9%
• Active inventory: 104
• Price-to-rent: 6.3×

Monthly cashflow live

• Estimated rent: $1,310 high
• Mortgage (P&I): −$519
• Tax from tax record: −$154 /mo · $1,844/yr
• Insurance: −$41
• HOA: −$0
• Vacancy / Maint / Mgmt: −$275
• Net cashflow: $321

Break-even live

Break-even rent $904

Max offer price $99,000

Occupancy floor 71%

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: $24,750
• Closing costs: $2,970
• Reserves months: —
• Total cash needed: —

Rent comps 20 comps

Address	Beds	Baths	Sqft	Rent	$/sqft	DOM	Units	Dist
875 Harrison Ave Akron, OH	3.0	1.0	1157	$1,150	$0.99	14d	1	0.08mi
773 Montana Ave Akron, OH	3.0	1.5	1128	$1,195	$1.06	23d	1	0.26mi
2163 13th St SW Akron, OH	3.0	2.5	1480	$1,150	$0.78	43d	1	0.27mi
2160 12th St SW Akron, OH	3.0	1.0	1445	$1,300	$0.90	43d	1	0.28mi
1029 Harpster Ave Akron, OH	4.0	1.0	1403	$1,250	$0.89	14d	1	0.33mi
2211 18th St SW Akron, OH	3.0	1.0	1332	$1,250	$0.94	14d	1	0.33mi
721 Polk Ave Akron, OH	3.0	1.5	1500	$1,600	$1.07	23d	1	0.34mi
2222 12th St SW Akron, OH	3.0	1.5	1270	$1,050	$0.83	43d	1	0.38mi
2250 11th St SW Akron, OH	3.0	1.0	1308	$1,350	$1.03	14d	1	0.45mi
720 Florida Ave Akron, OH	4.0	1.0	1124	$1,500	$1.33	14d	1	0.55mi
760 Lakewood Blvd Akron, OH	3.0	2.0	1398	$1,150	$0.82	23d	1	0.62mi
527 Brady Ave Akron, OH	3.0	1.5	1416	$1,395	$0.99	43d	1	0.73mi
1304 Kellogg Ave Akron, OH	2.0	2.0	1148	$2,000	$1.74	14d	1	0.77mi
1292 W Wilbeth Rd Akron, OH	3.0	1.0	1248	$1,200	$0.96	21d	1	0.93mi
1171 La Croix Ave Unit 2 Akron, OH	2.0	1.0	1267	$975	$0.77	43d	1	1.14mi
1161 La Croix Ave Akron, OH	3.0	1.0	1452	$1,200	$0.83	23d	1	1.15mi
1313 Manchester Rd Akron, OH	3.0	1.0	1221	$1,200	$0.98	21d	1	1.16mi
685 Longview Ave Akron, OH	3.0	1.0	1100	$1,150	$1.05	43d	1	1.17mi
1127 Victory St Unit 1129 Akron, OH	3.0	1.0	1368	$950	$0.69	43d	1	1.30mi
1494 Diagonal Rd Akron, OH	3.0	1.0	1064	$1,495	$1.41	43d	1	1.46mi

Listing history 38 events

1. 2026-06-18
   days on market $99,000 Active 22 DOM
2. 2026-06-18
   price $99,000 Active 21 DOM
3. 2026-06-17
   days on market $114,900 Active 21 DOM
4. 2026-06-16
   days on market $114,900 Active 20 DOM
5. 2026-06-15
   days on market $114,900 Active 19 DOM
6. 2026-06-14
   days on market $114,900 Active 17 DOM
7. 2026-06-13
   days on market $114,900 Active 16 DOM
8. 2026-06-10
   days on market $114,900 Active 14 DOM
9. 2026-06-09
   days on market $114,900 Active 13 DOM
10. 2026-06-08
    days on market $114,900 Active 12 DOM
11. 2026-06-07
    days on market $114,900 Active 11 DOM
12. 2026-06-05
    days on market $114,900 Active 8 DOM
13. 2026-06-03
    days on market $114,900 Active 7 DOM
14. 2026-06-02
    days on market $114,900 Active 6 DOM
15. 2026-06-01
    days on market $114,900 Active 5 DOM
16. 2026-05-31
    days on market $114,900 Active 4 DOM
17. 2026-05-31
    days on market $114,900 Active 3 DOM
18. 2026-05-27
    listed $114,900 Active
19. 2020-07-08
    historical
20. 2020-07-01
    historical Contingent
21. 2020-06-19
    status Active
22. 2020-06-11
    historical Contingent
23. 2020-06-08
    price $42,000
24. 2020-05-10
    listed $50,000 Active
25. 2016-07-15
    soldstatus $16,750 Sold 373-char remark

    Show marketing remark (373 chars)

    Great Invest Opportunity. This colonial features 4 bedrooms; full bath; and finished 3rd floor. Kitchen offers ample cabinetry and counter space with eat in kitchen area. Living Room with decorative stone fireplace. Formal Dining Room. Full Basement for extra storage. Bring your decorating ideas and make this your home!! Schedule your showing Today and submit your offer.

26. 2016-06-16
    status Pending 373-char remark

    Show marketing remark (373 chars)

    Great Invest Opportunity. This colonial features 4 bedrooms; full bath; and finished 3rd floor. Kitchen offers ample cabinetry and counter space with eat in kitchen area. Living Room with decorative stone fireplace. Formal Dining Room. Full Basement for extra storage. Bring your decorating ideas and make this your home!! Schedule your showing Today and submit your offer.

27. 2016-06-10
    historical Contingent 373-char remark

    Show marketing remark (373 chars)

    Great Invest Opportunity. This colonial features 4 bedrooms; full bath; and finished 3rd floor. Kitchen offers ample cabinetry and counter space with eat in kitchen area. Living Room with decorative stone fireplace. Formal Dining Room. Full Basement for extra storage. Bring your decorating ideas and make this your home!! Schedule your showing Today and submit your offer.

28. 2016-06-05
    listed $16,900 Active 373-char remark

    Show marketing remark (373 chars)

    Great Invest Opportunity. This colonial features 4 bedrooms; full bath; and finished 3rd floor. Kitchen offers ample cabinetry and counter space with eat in kitchen area. Living Room with decorative stone fireplace. Formal Dining Room. Full Basement for extra storage. Bring your decorating ideas and make this your home!! Schedule your showing Today and submit your offer.

29. 2009-04-22
    historical
30. 2008-10-22
    listed $62,900
31. 2007-09-30
    historical
32. 2007-06-01
    listed $69,000
33. 2007-04-06
    historical
34. 2006-10-06
    listed $69,900
35. 2002-12-30
    historical
36. 2002-06-25
    listed $67,500
37. 2002-02-28
    historical
38. 2001-08-30
    listed $65,000

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

Tax reassessment forecast OH · Partial reset (capped growth)

• Current annual tax: $1,844 · $154/mo
• Projected year-2 tax: $1,844 · $154/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 1/10 Low
• 🌡 Heat 3/10 Moderate 7 d/yr ≥97°F today · 17 d/yr by 30 yrs out
• 💨 Wind 1/10 Low
• 🫁 Air quality 2/10 Low 0 unhealthy d/yr today · 1 by 30 yrs out

Taxation est. · year 1

• Rental income: $15,719
• − Mortgage interest: −$5,546
• − Property taxes: −$1,844
• − Insurance: −$495
• − Repairs & maintenance: −$1,257
• − Management: −$1,257
• − Depreciation: −$2,880
• Taxable income: $2,439
• Est. tax owed @ 24.0%: −$585
• After-tax cash flow: $3,264/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: Akron City
• NCES district ID: 3904348
• Math proficiency: 22% ▼ -17.00%
• Reading proficiency: 30% ▼ -12.00%
• Median HH income: $33,811
• Composite: 21.31/100
• National rank: #8383
• State rank: #602 of 656 in OH

Livability — Akron

• Score: 81/100
• State rank: #104
• US rank: #1591

Category grades

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

Schools grade is shown separately in the Schools card above.

Census & demographics

• Census place: Akron, OH
• County: Summit County · 440,783 people
• City population: 174,375
• Metro: Akron, OH
• Population (ZIP): 17,885
• Household income: $47,468
• Rent vs Own: 48.0% rent · 52.0% own
• Severe rent burden: 975.0

Population outlook (Summit County) Hauer SSP2

• Today (2025): 546,583 people
• By 2030: 544,028 · -0.5%
• By 2040: 531,363 · -2.8%
• By 2050: 514,923 · -5.8%
• By 2075: 481,765 · -11.9%
• By 2100: 432,265 · -20.9%

Race, ethnicity, and origin ACS 2023

• Neighborhood character: Predominantly White (69%)
• Race & ethnicity: White 69% Black 16% Two or more races 12% Hispanic / Latino 3% Asian 3%
• Common ancestry: Slovak 2% Romanian 2% Lithuanian 1%
• Foreign-born: 3% · India, Canada, Philippines
• Languages at home: 96% English-only · Chinese 2% Russian/Polish/Slavic 1% Spanish 1%

Political lean MEDSL · Summit

• 2024 margin: Lean D (+7.0) · D 53.0% · R 46.0%
• 2008→2024 swing: -9.6pp toward R · 2008: 16.6pp · 2024: 7.0pp
• All cycles: 2024: D+7.0 2020: D+9.6 2016: D+8.2 2012: D+14.8 2008: D+16.6

Not yet ingested

• Civics: —

Market trends

• HPI YoY: ▼ -166.61%
• Current HPI: 151.066
• Rent YoY: ▲ 3.91%
• Metro: Akron, OH
• State GDP YoY: ▲ 1.98%
• F500 in state: 48

Industry mix (Fortune 500 HQ in OH)

Industry	F500 HQs	Revenue
▸Insurance	3	$145B
▸Industrial Machinery	3	$49B
▸Financial Services	3	$24B
▸Consumer Goods	2	$93B
▸Aerospace / Defense	2	$47B
▸Utilities	2	$33B

Price history

+76.8% since first listed

21 events — show timeline

• 2026-05-27 Listed $114,900 MLSNOW
• 2020-07-08 Listing Removed — MLSNOW
• 2020-07-01 Contingent — MLSNOW
• 2020-06-19 Relisted — MLSNOW
• 2020-06-11 Contingent — MLSNOW
• 2020-06-08 Price Changed $42,000 MLSNOW
• 2020-05-10 Listed $50,000 MLSNOW
• 2016-07-15 Sold (MLS) $16,750 MLSNOW
• 2016-06-16 Pending — MLSNOW
• 2016-06-10 Contingent — MLSNOW
• 2016-06-05 Listed $16,900 MLSNOW
• 2009-04-22 Listing Removed — MLSNOW
• 2008-10-22 Listed $62,900 MLSNOW
• 2007-09-30 Listing Removed — MLSNOW
• 2007-06-01 Listed $69,000 MLSNOW
• 2007-04-06 Listing Removed — MLSNOW
• 2006-10-06 Listed $69,900 MLSNOW
• 2002-12-30 Listing Removed — MLSNOW
• 2002-06-25 Listed $67,500 MLSNOW
• 2002-02-28 Listing Removed — MLSNOW
• 2001-08-30 Listed $65,000 MLSNOW

Property tax history

-6.5%/yr

Latest (2025): $1,844 · -8.2% YoY. Source: county tax records.