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4 Saint Johns Pl 5-Plex
B+ Composite 77.92
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 +30.0/30.0
  • ARV discount +15.0/15.0
  • DSCR +10.0/10.0
  • 1% rule +8.5/10.0
  • Livability +3.9/5.0
  • Condition / age +3.8/5.0
  • Rent growth +3.6/5.0
  • Schools +3.3/10.0
  • Appreciation +0.0/10.0

$545,000

4 Saint Johns Pl · Buffalo, NY 14201
20 bd · None ba · 5,386 sqft · MultiFamily · 42 Days on market
Built 1870 Good condition 4,445 sqft lot $101/sqft · 34% below area Est $831k · 34% under

🖨 Deal sheet 📄 Offer letter ✓ Due diligence

Multi-family units

County records classify this as Multi-Family (5+ Unit). Listing-text estimate: 5 units. confirmed

5+ unit building — per-unit beds/baths from public records are typically unavailable; the breakdown below (if shown) is an estimate from the listing text.

Listing remarks MLS

Exceptional 5 unit opportunity on the desirable street of Saint Johns Place in the heart of Allentown! This well-maintained 5-unit property consists of one studio, three one bedroom apartments and a two bedroom owners unit on the top floor, offering a strong and flexible unit mix. Boasting an 1870 built date, the property still maintains many charming characteristics- a colorful and vibrant exterior, stained glass and natural woodwork, and high ceilings inside. Inside each unit, many updates have been done including newer kitchen cabinets, appliances-including dishwashers, updated bathrooms, and updated flooring. This property is investor ready showing a solid cap rate or the perfect place to have your tenants pay your mortgage while you occupy the top floor as an owner's suite. The two garage offers a rare and valuable amenity in this area—providing added convenience and rental appeal. Whether you’re looking to expand your portfolio or owner-occupy while generating income, this property presents a compelling opportunity with upside potential through rent growth and value-add improvements. All in one of Buffalo’s most vibrant and desirable neighborhoods!

Key facts

  • 4,445 sq ft lot
  • 2 parking spots
  • Built 1870

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 4×1bd/1ba + 1×2bd/1ba units multifamily listed at $545k. Condition is rated good.

Deal economics

  • At list price, monthly cash flow is $2k ($24k/yr) — positive. Per door: $406/mo.
  • The deal already cash-flows at list — no discount required.
  • Meets the 1% rule at list price ($7k rent vs $545k).
  • Recommended offer: $529k (3.0% below list) — sets the bar for market timing.
  • Cap rate 10.8% vs local median 8.0% in Buffalo — 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 77/100 on livability (#195 in NY, #3,011 nationally) — a middle-class / working-renter tenant base. Strengths: commute A+, housing A+, health & safety A+; Watch: crime F, employment D-.
  • Buffalo City School District (urban): math 41% / reading 40% proficiency, ranked #535 of 590 in NY (top 91%) — families likely to look elsewhere, expect single-tenant / working-renter base with shorter leases; 75% free/reduced lunch — lower-income household profile, screen leases tightly.
  • Market conditions: Rents rising fast (+4.3%/yr); 56 active listings in the ZIP; lower-income renter base — watch delinquency; 1,244 units permitted in Erie County in 2024 (563 in 5+ unit buildings).
  • At $7,337/mo this rent would consume 217% of the median local household income ($41k/yr) (locally 1213% of renters already pay >50% of income on rent) — very limited rent-growth headroom before tenants either downsize or default.

Forward outlook

  • Local home prices are declining (-3.0%/yr); year-one equity from $4k of loan paydown is wiped out by about $16k of value loss. Plan a longer hold.
  • At projected returns (-3.0% appreciation + 4.3% rent growth), your $153k cash investment doubles in ~7 years — after that, you're playing with house money.

Negotiation context

  • It's been on market 42 days — a 3% lower offer ($529k) is reasonable based on typical stale-listing flexibility.
  • 4 sale attempts since 16y ago; this cycle's ask has dropped $30k (5%) from the opening price — seller is motivated, your offer sets the floor, not the list.
  • Current owner paid $444k; 23% above their basis — modest negotiation headroom, anchor on the comps not their cost.

Risks & watch-outs

  • Watch-outs: built in 1870 — expect roof / HVAC / electrical / plumbing capex.
Recommended offer $528,650 (3.0% below list)

Questions for the listing agent

  1. It's been on market 42 days. Have you received any prior offers? Is the seller open to a 3% concession, seller financing, or rate buy-down credit?
  2. Can we see the unit-by-unit rent roll, current vacancy, and any below-market leases? What's the average tenancy length?
  3. What capital expenditures (roof, boiler, parking lot, exteriors) have been made in the last 5 years, and what's planned in the next 2?
  4. Built in 1870 — when were the roof, HVAC, electrical panel, plumbing, and water heater last replaced?
  5. Is there a deadline driving the sale (1031 exchange, divorce, estate, relocation)? That informs how much negotiation room exists.
  6. 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?
  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 apartment / multifamily construction is in the pipeline within 1–3 miles? Heavy new supply (>2% of stock underway) typically softens rents 12–24 months out; light construction supports rent growth.

Investment metrics

1% rule
1.35%
Cap rate
10.76%
Cash-on-cash
15.96%
DSCR
1.71
GRM
6.2

CMA / ARV

ARV (median comp)
$830,952
List price
$545,000
Delta
-34.41%
Verdict
UNDERPRICED
Comps
20 within 1.0 mi

Projected returns pro-forma

-3.0% appreciation · 4.28% rent growth · sell at horizon

5-year hold
IRR
8.3%
Equity multiple
1.33×
Total profit
$50,649
Equity at exit
$81,261
10-year hold
IRR
18.6%
Equity multiple
2.65×
Total profit
$251,332
Equity at exit
$47,122

Cash invested: $152,600 (down + closing). Projections, not guarantees.

Landlord ↔ Tenant lean methodology

Overall (STATE)
15 Strongly Tenant-Friendly
State New York
15 Strongly Tenant-Friendly · D+10
County
— inherits STATE
City
— inherits STATE
NYC rent stabilization (~1M units); 2019 HSTPA strengthened tenant rights; courts deeply backlogged.

ZIP-level market 14201

Home prices YoY
-19.1%
Rents YoY
4.3%
Active inventory
56
Price-to-rent
31.3×

Monthly cashflow live

Estimated rent
$7,337 high interval (Pro) →
Mortgage (P&I)
$2,858
Tax est. 1.5%
$681 /mo · $8,175/yr
Insurance
$227
HOA
$0
Vacancy / Maint / Mgmt
$1,541
Net cashflow
$2,030

Break-even live

Break-even rent $4,768
Max offer price $545,000
Occupancy floor 67%

5-unit breakdown (identical units grouped — click to expand)

UnitsBedsBathsEst. rent
1× unit 2 1 $1,541
Total (5 units) $7,337

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
$136,250
Closing costs
$16,350
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.

Listing history 21 events

  1. 2026-06-18
    days on market $545,000 Active 42 DOM
  2. 2026-06-17
    days on market $545,000 Active 41 DOM
  3. 2026-06-16
    days on market $545,000 Active 40 DOM
  4. 2026-06-15
    days on market $545,000 Active 39 DOM
  5. 2026-06-13
    days on market $545,000 Active 37 DOM
  6. 2026-06-13
    days on market $545,000 Active 36 DOM
  7. 2026-06-10
    days on market $545,000 Active 34 DOM
  8. 2026-06-09
    days on market $545,000 Active 33 DOM
  9. 2026-06-08
    days on market $545,000 Active 32 DOM
  10. 2026-06-07
    days on market $545,000 Active 31 DOM
  11. 2026-06-03
    days on market $545,000 Active 27 DOM
  12. 2026-06-02
    pricedays on market $545,000 Active 26 DOM
  13. 2026-06-01
    days on market $575,000 Active 25 DOM
  14. 2026-05-31
    days on market $575,000 Active 24 DOM
  15. 2026-05-07
    listed $575,000 Active 1190-char remark
    Show marketing remark (1190 chars)

    Exceptional 5 unit opportunity on the desirable street of Saint Johns Place in the heart of Allentown! This well-maintained 5-unit property consists of one studio, three one bedroom apartments and a two bedroom owners unit on the top floor, offering a strong and flexible unit mix. Boasting an 1870 built date, the property still maintains many charming characteristics- a colorful and vibrant exterior, stained glass and natural woodwork, and high ceilings inside. Inside each unit, many updates have been done including newer kitchen cabinets, appliances-including dishwashers, updated bathrooms, and updated flooring. This property is investor ready showing a solid cap rate or the perfect place to have your tenants pay your mortgage while you occupy the top floor as an owner's suite. The two garage offers a rare and valuable amenity in this area—providing added convenience and rental appeal. Whether you’re looking to expand your portfolio or owner-occupy while generating income, this property presents a compelling opportunity with upside potential through rent growth and value-add improvements. All in one of Buffalo’s most vibrant and desirable neighborhoods!

  16. 2016-04-20
    soldstatus $444,000 Closed Sale or Rented
  17. 2015-12-30
    historical Under Contract- Do Not Show
  18. 2015-06-05
    listed $479,000 Active
  19. 2014-09-18
    listed $489,000
  20. 2010-11-09
    soldstatus $75,000
  21. 2010-08-30
    listed $99,900

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

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 ≥91°F today · 15 d/yr by 30 yrs out
  • 💨 Wind 1/10 Low
  • 🫁 Air quality 4/10 Moderate 4 unhealthy d/yr today · 9 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
$88,044
− Mortgage interest
−$30,528
− Property taxes
−$8,175
− Insurance
−$2,725
− Repairs & maintenance
−$7,044
− Management
−$7,044
− Depreciation
−$15,855
Taxable income
$16,674
combined federal + state — saved on this device
Est. tax owed @ 24.0%
−$4,002
After-tax cash flow
$20,357/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 · 2 photos

Good 75/100 Cosmetic rehab

This 5-unit property is investor-ready with updated interiors and a well-maintained exterior. Minor cosmetic improvements can further enhance its curb appeal and value.

Value-add opportunities

  • Both Paint exterior — Enhances curb appeal and value
  • Both Landscaping improvements — Enhances curb appeal and value
  • Both Replace worn flooring — Improves aesthetics and functionality

Renovation cost estimate screening

Value-add ROI direction

  • Both Paint exterior — Enhances curb appeal and value
  • Both Landscaping improvements — Enhances curb appeal and value
  • Both Replace worn flooring — Improves aesthetics and functionality

ⓘ Cost ranges are severity-bucket heuristics (US national rule-of-thumb). Get contractor quotes + a written scope before underwriting a rehab budget.

Schools (NCES district)

District
Buffalo City School District
NCES district ID
3605850
Math proficiency
41% ▲ 11.00%
Reading proficiency
40% ▲ 7.00%
Median HH income
$31,665
Composite
33.17/100
National rank
#5544
State rank
#535 of 590 in NY

Livability — Buffalo

Score
77/100
State rank
#195
US rank
#3011

Category grades

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

Schools grade is shown separately in the Schools card above.

Census & demographics

Census place
Buffalo, NY
County
Erie County · 714,559 people
City population
440,021
Metro
Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY
Population (ZIP)
12,369
Household income
$40,512
Rent vs Own
76.4% rent · 23.6% own
Severe rent burden
1213.0

Population outlook (Erie County) Hauer SSP2

Today (2025)
933,037 people
By 2030
935,181 · +0.2%
By 2040
928,531 · -0.5%
By 2050
905,725 · -2.9%
By 2075
834,037 · -10.6%
By 2100
708,033 · -24.1%

Race, ethnicity, and origin ACS 2023

Neighborhood character
Diverse neighborhood (Simpson 0.66)
Race & ethnicity
White 42% Hispanic / Latino 36% Black 16% Two or more races 12% Asian 2% Native American 1%
Hispanic origin (detail)
Mexican 4% Puerto Rican 30% Dominican 1%
Common ancestry
Romanian 7% Subsaharan African 2% Slovak 1%
Foreign-born
8% · Canada, China
Languages at home
69% English-only · Spanish 24% Arabic 2% Other Indo-European 1%

Political lean MEDSL · Erie

2024 margin
Lean D (+9.7) · D 54.8% · R 45.2%
2008→2024 swing
-7.9pp toward R · 2008: 17.5pp · 2024: 9.7pp
All cycles
2024: D+9.7 2020: D+14.7 2016: D+4.8 2012: D+15.6 2008: D+17.5

Not yet ingested

Civics

Market trends

HPI YoY
▼ -68.73%
Current HPI
290.2643
Rent YoY
▲ 4.28%
Metro
Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY
State GDP YoY
▲ 2.60%
F500 in state
92

Industry mix (Fortune 500 HQ in NY)

Industry F500 HQs Revenue

Price history

+475.6% since first listed
7 events — show timeline
  • 2026-05-07 Listed $575,000 WNYREIS
  • 2016-04-20 Sold (MLS) $444,000 WNYREIS
  • 2015-12-30 Contingent WNYREIS
  • 2015-06-05 Listed $479,000 WNYREIS
  • 2014-09-18 Listed $489,000 WNYREIS
  • 2010-11-09 Sold (MLS) $75,000 WNYREIS
  • 2010-08-30 Listed $99,900 WNYREIS

Cash-flow waterfall

monthly

Sold comps — $/sqft

last 12 mo · ≤1 mi

Loading sold comps…