257 Cornell Ave · Calumet City, IL 60409

$180,000

3 bd · 2.0 ba · 1,298 sqft · SingleFamily public records · 149 Days on market

Built 1981 6,316 sqft lot Est $152k · 19% over

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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 +26.7/30.0
• DSCR +9.2/10.0
• 1% rule +7.2/10.0
• Rent growth +4.0/5.0
• Livability +3.6/5.0
• Condition / age +2.5/5.0
• Schools +0.7/10.0
• ARV discount +0.0/15.0
• Appreciation +0.0/10.0

Listing remarks MLS

Take a look at this beautifully updated split level featuring 4 bedrooms & 3 baths. 2 Car attached garage. This property has many updates throughout. This is a GEM, a definite must see. w/ new flooring throughout, updated kitchen and baths and much much more! Agent Owned

Key facts

• 6,316 sq ft lot
• 2 garage spots
• Built 1981

Property features AI

Finance

• Other: Property is not currently leased; Possession at closing; Earnest money is held
• HOA & community: No master association fees required; Neighborhood features include sidewalks, street lights, and paved streets

Exterior

• Parking: 2-car garage (attached, owned) with garage door opener; Additional parking for a total of 4 vehicles; Concrete driveway and side driveway
• Security: Owned garage (provides enclosed parking)
• Utilities: Public water; Public sewer
• Home design: Detached single-family home; Split-level / bi-level layout; Fee simple ownership; Commuter bus access nearby
• Construction: Built approximately 41–50 years ago; Brick and wood siding exterior; Asphalt roof
• Exterior features: Patio; Outdoor grill; Fenced yard; Corner lot; Lot dimensions approximately 50 x 121 x 49 x 121

Interior

• Kitchen: Kitchen (main level)
• Bedrooms: 4 bedrooms total; Master bedroom (second level); Bedroom 2 (second level); Bedroom 3 (second level); Bedroom 4 (lower level)
• Flooring: Carpet flooring
• Bathrooms: 3 full bathrooms; Separate shower in at least one bath; Basement bathroom(s) present
• Heating & cooling: Natural gas forced-air heating; Central air conditioning
• Interior features: Finished partial basement; 8 total rooms; Wood-burning fireplace in the family room; Recreation room (lower); Foyer (main); Dining room combined with living room; Family room; Living room (main)
• Laundry & utility: Laundry room (lower level)

What this means for you Summary

Snapshot

• This is a 3-bed/2.0-bath single-family listed at $180k.

Deal economics

• At list price, monthly cash flow is $489 ($6k/yr) — positive.
• The deal already cash-flows at list — no discount required.
• Meets the 1% rule at list price ($2k rent vs $180k).
• Recommended offer: $158k (12.0% below list) — sets the bar for market timing.

Location & tenants

• Location reads 71/100 on livability (#330 in IL) — a middle-class / working-renter tenant base. Strengths: commute A+, cost of living A+, housing A+; Watch: employment C-, crime D-, amenities F.
• Thornton Twp Hsd 205 (suburban): math 7% / reading 8% proficiency, ranked #594 of 620 in IL (top 96%) — low school quality limits family demand, transient renter base, plan for 1-2y turnover.
• Zoned schools: Thornton Township High School (math 7% / reading 7%, grade F, #605 of 693 statewide, top 87%, 1,628 students, 0% FRL).
• Market conditions: Rents rising fast (+6.2%/yr); 198 active listings in the ZIP; 25 comparable units currently listed for rent nearby; rentals leasing fast (median 12d on market — plan ~1-2 weeks tenant-placement turnaround); 6,272 units permitted in Cook County in 2024 (4,658 in 5+ unit buildings).
• At $2,193/mo this rent would consume 48% of the median local household income ($55k/yr) (locally 2415% 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 $1k of loan paydown is wiped out by about $5k of value loss. Plan a longer hold.
• At projected returns (-3.0% appreciation + 6.2% rent growth), your $50k cash investment doubles in ~8 years — after that, you're playing with house money.

Negotiation context

• It's been on market 149 days — a 12% lower offer ($158k) is reasonable based on typical stale-listing flexibility.
• 3 sale attempts since 6y ago; this cycle's ask is 29% above the opening price — seller raised mid-cycle; expect resistance to lowballs.
• Current owner paid $145k; 24% above their basis — modest negotiation headroom, anchor on the comps not their cost.

Recommended offer $158,400 (12.0% below list)

Questions for the listing agent

1. It's been on market 149 days. Have you received any prior offers? Is the seller open to a 12% concession, seller financing, or rate buy-down credit?
2. Why hasn't it sold? Are there any deal-killer items the seller is aware of (foundation, flood, title, zoning, code violations)?
3. Is there a deadline driving the sale (1031 exchange, divorce, estate, relocation)? That informs how much negotiation room exists.
4. Schools are F-rated, which usually means shorter tenancies and higher turnover. Who's the typical renter profile here, and what's been the actual vacancy rate?
5. Crime grade is D 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?
6. 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.
7. 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.
8. 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: 1.22% ✓
• Cap rate: 9.55%
• Cash-on-cash: 11.63%
• DSCR: 1.52
• GRM: 6.8

CMA / ARV

• ARV (on-the-fly): $151,866
• Comps found: 12

Show comp detail 12 sales within ~0.75 mi

Address	Dist	Beds/Ba	Sqft	Sold	Price	$/sf	Match
14521 Kenwood Ave	0.39mi	3/2.5	1,249 (-4%)	1mo	$215,000	$172	73
14441 Dante Ave	0.30mi	3/1.5	1,210 (-7%)	6mo	$204,000	$169	67
317 Madison Ave	0.17mi	3/1.0	1,152 (-11%)	3mo	$67,200	$58	67
14737 Blackstone Ave	0.28mi	3/1.5	1,425 (+10%)	5mo	$150,000	$105	65
14447 University Ave	0.65mi	3/1.0	1,300 (+0%)	6mo	$75,000	$58	61
1429 Kasten Dr	0.26mi	3/1.0	1,123 (-14%)	4mo	$119,000	$106	58
14613 Dante Ave	0.26mi	3/1.5	1,112 (-14%)	5mo	$95,000	$85	58
14238 Woodlawn Ave	0.73mi	3/2.0	1,261 (-3%)	6mo	$250,000	$198	56
14842 Shepard Dr	0.53mi	3/1.5	1,141 (-12%)	2mo	$135,000	$118	52
14814 Woodlawn Ave	0.66mi	3/1.0	1,234 (-5%)	6mo	$175,000	$142	52
14808 Dorchester Ave	0.44mi	4/2.0 (+1)	1,452 (+12%)	5mo	$170,500	$117	51
14700 Avalon Ave	0.55mi	3/1.5	1,128 (-13%)	4mo	$125,000	$111	47

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 · 6.17% rent growth · sell at horizon

5-year hold

• IRR: 4.6%
• Equity multiple: 1.18×
• Total profit: $9,203
• Equity at exit: $26,839

10-year hold

• IRR: 16.8%
• Equity multiple: 2.58×
• Total profit: $79,831
• Equity at exit: $15,563

Cash invested: $50,400 (down + closing). Projections, not guarantees.

Landlord ↔ Tenant lean methodology

• Overall (STATE): 43 Moderately Tenant-Leaning
• State Illinois: 43 Moderately Tenant-Leaning · D+7
• County: — inherits STATE
• City: — inherits STATE

Chicago RTLO is among the strongest tenant ordinances in the Midwest; downstate is more landlord-friendly.

Methodology + full state rankings →

ZIP-level market 60409

• Home prices YoY: -27.6%
• Rents YoY: 6.2%
• Active inventory: 198
• Price-to-rent: 6.8×

Monthly cashflow live

• Estimated rent: $2,193 high
• Mortgage (P&I): −$944
• Tax est. 1.5%: −$225 /mo · $2,700/yr
• Insurance: −$75
• HOA: −$0
• Vacancy / Maint / Mgmt: −$461
• Net cashflow: $489

Break-even live

Break-even rent $1,575

Max offer price $180,000

Occupancy floor 73%

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: $45,000
• Closing costs: $5,400
• Reserves months: —
• Total cash needed: —

Rent comps 25 comps

Address	Beds	Baths	Sqft	Rent	$/sqft	DOM	Units	Dist
14610 Blackstone Ave Dolton, IL	3.0	1.0	1017	$2,400	$2.36	6d	1	0.22mi
1429 Kasten Dr Dolton, IL	3.0	1.0	1600	$2,500	$1.56	1d	1	0.25mi
14738 Blackstone Ave Dolton, IL	3.0	1.0	1017	$2,400	$2.36	10d	1	0.31mi
1860 State St Calumet City, IL	3.0	1.0	1100	$1,800	$1.64	17d	1	0.33mi
409 Madison Ave Unit 2 Calumet City, IL	3.0	1.5	1200	$1,795	$1.50	3d	1	0.37mi
14716 Dorchester Ave Dolton, IL	3.0	2.0	1250	$2,800	$2.24	19d	1	0.38mi
405 Clyde Ave Calumet City, IL	3.0	1.0	973	$2,300	$2.36	1d	1	0.46mi
14433 Woodlawn Ave Dolton, IL	4.0	2.0	1300	$2,000	$1.54	18d	1	0.58mi
101 Oglesby Ave Calumet City, IL	2.0	1.0	1000	$1,800	$1.80	19d	1	0.64mi
101 Oglesby Ave Calumet City, IL	2.0	1.0	1000	$1,800	$1.80	22d	1	0.64mi
101 Oglesby Ave Calumet City, IL	2.0	1.0	1100	$1,800	$1.64	12d	1	0.64mi
250 Yates Ave Unit 1616 Dolton 1E Calumet City, IL	2.0	1.0	875	$1,465	$1.67	7d	1	0.66mi
14518 S Hoxie Ave Chicago, IL	3.0	1.5	1128	$2,450	$2.17	1d	1	0.85mi
660 Clyde Ave Calumet City, IL	3.0	1.5	1400	$1,750	$1.25	3d	1	0.98mi
15231 Hastings Dr Dolton, IL	4.0	1.5	1487	$2,146	$1.44	7d	1	0.99mi
659 Paxton Ave Calumet City, IL	3.0	2.0	1255	$2,461	$1.96	10d	1	1.04mi
15400 Merrill Ave South Holland, IL	4.0	2.0	1508	$3,330	$2.21	22d	1	1.07mi
14500 Cottage Grove Ave Unit 3 Dolton, IL	2.0	1.0	1000	$1,475	$1.48	24d	1	1.10mi
2605 E Martha Pl Chicago, IL	2.0	2.0	1353	$1,860	$1.37	22d	1	1.19mi
14817 Champlain Ave Dolton, IL	2.0	1.0	980	$2,430	$2.48	22d	1	1.29mi
14916 Langley Ave Dolton, IL	3.0	1.5	1418	$2,500	$1.76	24d	1	1.29mi
14305 Irving Ave Unit 2 Dolton, IL	3.0	1.0	1100	$2,200	$2.00	24d	1	1.36mi
671 Saginaw Ave Calumet City, IL	3.0	2.0	1250	$2,276	$1.82	10d	1	1.39mi
15707 Dante Dr South Holland, IL	3.0	2.0	1800	$2,950	$1.64	2d	1	1.39mi
2790 E State St Apt 2E Burnham, IL	3.0	2.0	1100	$1,695	$1.54	24d	1	1.42mi

Listing history 27 events

1. 2026-06-18
   days on market $180,000 Active 149 DOM
2. 2026-06-17
   days on market $180,000 Active 148 DOM
3. 2026-06-16
   days on market $180,000 Active 147 DOM
4. 2026-06-15
   days on market $180,000 Active 146 DOM
5. 2026-06-13
   days on market $180,000 Active 144 DOM
6. 2026-06-13
   days on market $180,000 Active 143 DOM
7. 2026-06-10
   remarks 699-char remark
8. 2026-06-10
   pricestatus $180,000 Active 140 DOM
9. 2026-06-09
   days on market $175,000 Contingent - Continue to Show 140 DOM
10. 2026-06-08
    days on market $175,000 Contingent - Continue to Show 139 DOM
11. 2026-06-07
    days on market $175,000 Contingent - Continue to Show 138 DOM
12. 2026-06-04
    days on market $175,000 Contingent - Continue to Show 135 DOM
13. 2026-06-03
    days on market $175,000 Contingent - Continue to Show 134 DOM
14. 2026-06-02
    days on market $175,000 Contingent - Continue to Show 133 DOM
15. 2026-06-01
    days on market $175,000 Contingent - Continue to Show 132 DOM
16. 2026-05-31
    days on market $175,000 Contingent - Continue to Show 131 DOM
17. 2026-03-20
    status Active
18. 2026-03-20
    price $175,000
19. 2026-02-03
    historical Contingent - Continue to Show
20. 2026-01-20
    listed $140,000 Active
21. 2020-10-16
    soldstatus $145,000
22. 2020-07-10
    soldstatus $145,900 Closed Sale 279-char remark

    Show marketing remark (279 chars)

    Take a look at this beautifully updated split level featuring 4 bedrooms & 3 baths. 2 Car attached garage. This property has many updates throughout. This is a GEM, a definite must see. w/ new flooring throughout, updated kitchen and baths and much much more! Agent Owned

23. 2020-05-26
    status Contingent 279-char remark

    Show marketing remark (279 chars)

    Take a look at this beautifully updated split level featuring 4 bedrooms & 3 baths. 2 Car attached garage. This property has many updates throughout. This is a GEM, a definite must see. w/ new flooring throughout, updated kitchen and baths and much much more! Agent Owned

24. 2020-04-27
    listed $159,900 New 279-char remark

    Show marketing remark (279 chars)

    Take a look at this beautifully updated split level featuring 4 bedrooms & 3 baths. 2 Car attached garage. This property has many updates throughout. This is a GEM, a definite must see. w/ new flooring throughout, updated kitchen and baths and much much more! Agent Owned

25. 2004-04-07
    soldstatus $166,000
26. 1988-05-04
    soldstatus $87,000
27. 1980-02-21
    soldstatus $69,000

ⓘ 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 ≥101°F today · 15 d/yr by 30 yrs out
• 💨 Wind 2/10 Low 0% chance of damaging wind over 30 yrs
• 🫁 Air quality 4/10 Moderate 4 unhealthy d/yr today · 5 by 30 yrs out

Taxation est. · year 1

• Rental income: $26,317
• − Mortgage interest: −$10,083
• − Property taxes: −$2,700
• − Insurance: −$900
• − Repairs & maintenance: −$2,105
• − Management: −$2,105
• − Depreciation: −$5,236
• Taxable income: $3,187
• Est. tax owed @ 24.0%: −$765
• After-tax cash flow: $5,099/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: Thornton Twp Hsd 205
• NCES district ID: 1738970
• Math proficiency: 7% ▬ 0.00%
• Reading proficiency: 8% ▼ -2.00%
• Median HH income: $43,392
• Composite: 6.92/100
• National rank: #9976
• State rank: #594 of 620 in IL

Livability — Calumet City

• Score: 71/100
• State rank: #330
• US rank: #6552

Category grades

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

Schools grade is shown separately in the Schools card above.

Census & demographics

• Census place: Calumet City, IL
• County: Cook County · 4,486,803 people
• City population: 35,100
• Metro: Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI
• Population (ZIP): 35,100
• Household income: $55,369
• Rent vs Own: 44.3% rent · 55.7% own
• Severe rent burden: 2415.0

Population outlook (Cook County) Hauer SSP2

• Today (2025): 5,347,519 people
• By 2030: 5,357,703 · +0.2%
• By 2040: 5,324,924 · -0.4%
• By 2050: 5,230,762 · -2.2%
• By 2075: 4,785,735 · -10.5%
• By 2100: 4,188,836 · -21.7%

Race, ethnicity, and origin ACS 2023

• Neighborhood character: Predominantly Black (74%)
• Race & ethnicity: Black 74% Hispanic / Latino 15% White 7% Two or more races 4%
• Hispanic origin (detail): Mexican 14%
• Common ancestry: Romanian 2%
• Foreign-born: 9% · Canada
• Languages at home: 83% English-only · Spanish 14%

Political lean MEDSL · Cook

• 2024 margin: Solid D (+42.0) · D 70.4% · R 28.4% · Other 1.2%
• 2008→2024 swing: -11.4pp toward R · 2008: 53.4pp · 2024: 42.0pp
• All cycles: 2024: D+42.0 2020: D+50.3 2016: D+53.0 2012: D+49.4 2008: D+53.4

Not yet ingested

• Civics: —

Market trends

• HPI YoY: ▼ -75.01%
• Current HPI: 197.2137
• Rent YoY: ▲ 6.17%
• Metro: Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI
• State GDP YoY: ▲ 1.59%
• F500 in state: 60

Industry mix (Fortune 500 HQ in IL)

Industry	F500 HQs	Revenue
▸Insurance	4	$201B
▸Consumer Goods	4	$87B
▸Industrial Machinery	3	$64B
▸Healthcare	2	$55B
▸Retail / Pharmacy	1	$148B
▸Agriculture / Food	1	$86B

Price history

+153.6% since first listed

11 events — show timeline

• 2026-03-20 Relisted — MRED as Distributed by MLS Grid
• 2026-03-20 Price Changed $175,000 MRED as Distributed by MLS Grid
• 2026-02-03 Contingent — MRED as Distributed by MLS Grid
• 2026-01-20 Listed $140,000 MRED as Distributed by MLS Grid
• 2020-10-16 Sold (Public Records) $145,000 Public Records
• 2020-07-10 Sold (MLS) $145,900 MRED as Distributed by MLS Grid
• 2020-05-26 Pending — MRED as Distributed by MLS Grid
• 2020-04-27 Listed $159,900 MRED as Distributed by MLS Grid
• 2004-04-07 Sold (Public Records) $166,000 Public Records
• 1988-05-04 Sold (Public Records) $87,000 Public Records
• 1980-02-21 Sold (Public Records) $69,000 Public Records

Property tax history

+4.5%/yr

Latest (2023): $9,169 · +50.0% YoY. Source: county tax records.