2509 Carson St

McKeesport, PA 15132

$60,000B-

3 bd · 1.0 ba · 1,534 sqft · Built 1880 · SingleFamily · Active · 202 DOM

Cashflow @ list (25.0% down · 7.5%)

• Estimated rent: $1,284/mo
• Mortgage (P&I): −$315
• Tax + insurance: −$184
• HOA: −$0
• Vac / Maint / Mgmt: −$270
• Net cashflow: $516/mo
• Annual: $6,188/yr
• Cap rate: 16.61%
• Cash-on-cash: 36.83%
• DSCR: 2.64
• 1% rule: 2.14%
• Cash to close: $16,800

Investor read

• This is a 3-bed/1.0-bath single-family listed at $60k. Condition is rated fair.
• At list price, monthly cash flow is $516 ($6k/yr) — positive.
• The deal already cash-flows at list — no discount required.
• Meets the 1% rule at list price ($1k rent vs $60k).
• It's been on market 202 days — a 12% lower offer ($53k) is reasonable based on typical stale-listing flexibility.
• Recommended offer: $53k (12.0% below list) — sets the bar for market timing.
• Local home prices are declining (-3.0%/yr); year-one equity from $415 of loan paydown is wiped out by about $2k of value loss. Plan a longer hold.
• Location reads 66/100 on livability (#1,089 in PA) — a middle-class / working-renter tenant base. Strengths: commute A+, cost of living A+, housing A+; Watch: health & safety D, crime F, amenities F.
• Mckeesport Area SD (suburban): math 11% / reading 28% proficiency, ranked #499 of 539 in PA (top 93%) — 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.
• Zoned schools: Founders Hall Middle Sch (math 2% / reading 26%, grade F, #480 of 512 statewide, top 94%, 695 students, 100% FRL); Mckeesport Area Shs (math 22% / reading 30%, grade F, #372 of 437 statewide, top 86%, 1,045 students, 78% FRL) — zoned schools average 89% FRL vs 66% district-wide (23 pts higher); higher-poverty schools than district average — tighter screening recommended.
• Watch-outs: property tax is 3.2% of price; built in 1880 — expect roof / HVAC / electrical / plumbing capex.
• Market conditions: 177 active listings in the ZIP; 22 comparable units currently listed for rent nearby; rentals lingering (median 82d on market — plan ~5-8 weeks vacancy on turnover, expect pricing pressure); 59% of comp listings sitting > 30 days — soft ceiling on asking rent; lower-income renter base — watch delinquency; 2,996 units permitted in Allegheny County in 2024 (1,588 in 5+ unit buildings).
• 2 sale attempts since 12y ago 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.
• Current owner paid $18k; list at $60k implies a 224% gain — meaningful room to come down on a strong offer.
• At projected returns (-3.0% appreciation + 3.0% rent growth), your $17k cash investment doubles in ~4 years — after that, you're playing with house money.
• Cap rate 16.6% vs local median 10.2% in McKeesport — 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 44% of the median local income ($35k/yr) — at the standard rent-burdened threshold; future hikes will face affordability resistance.

Questions for listing agent

• It's been on market 202 days. Have you received any prior offers? Is the seller open to a 12% concession, seller financing, or rate buy-down credit?
• Have any recent inspections been done? Can we get a copy of the seller's disclosures and any deferred-maintenance estimates?
• Built in 1880 — when were the roof, HVAC, electrical panel, plumbing, and water heater last replaced?
• Property tax is high relative to price — has the assessment been appealed recently, and will the sale trigger a re-assessment?
• 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 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?
• 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?

Repairs flagged (vision-AI assessment)

• Major: roof — The roof appears to be in poor condition, with visible wear and tear.
• Major: exterior siding — The exterior siding shows signs of wear and discoloration, and the paint appears faded.
• Major: flooring — The flooring in the interior appears to be carpeted and in poor condition.
• Major: interior walls — The interior walls show signs of wear and discoloration.