96-98 Brown St · Pittsfield, MA 01201

$229,900

6 bd · 2.0 ba · 3,048 sqft · MultiFamily public records · 16 Days on market

Built 1920 0.25 ac lot Est $302k · 24% 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 +30.0/30.0
• ARV discount +15.0/15.0
• 1% rule +10.0/10.0
• DSCR +10.0/10.0
• Rent growth +4.4/5.0
• Livability +3.8/5.0
• Condition / age +2.5/5.0
• Schools +2.3/10.0
• Appreciation +0.0/10.0

Multi-family units

County records classify this as Multi-Family (2-4 Unit). Listing-text estimate: 2 units. confirmed

Listing remarks MLS

Second floor completely renovated. First floor needs carpentry finish and some electrical. Both units have decks. Nice fenced yard. 1st floor is owner occupied.

Key facts

• Fresh paint
• New roof
• New windows

Tags

• INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITY
• NEW ROOF
• FRESH PAINT
• UPDATED ELECTRICAL PANELS
• NEW WINDOWS
• INSTALLED BOILER

Property features AI

Finance

• Financial info: Annual taxes reported for 2025

Exterior

• Utilities: Circuit breaker electric service; Public sewer
• Home design: Total building area approximately 3,048
• Construction: Asphalt roof
• Exterior features: Porch

Interior

• Kitchen: Dishwasher; Refrigerator
• Bedrooms: Unit includes 2 bedrooms
• Flooring: Laminate flooring; Wood flooring
• Bathrooms: 2 full bathrooms
• Heating & cooling: Oil heating; Natural gas heating; Has heating
• Interior features: Accessible bedroom; Accessible full bathroom; Dishwasher; Refrigerator

What this means for you Summary

Snapshot

• This is a 1×2bd/1.0ba + 1×3bd/1.0ba units multifamily listed at $230k.

Deal economics

• At list price, monthly cash flow is $1k ($14k/yr) — positive. Per door: $576/mo.
• The deal already cash-flows at list — no discount required.
• Meets the 1% rule at list price ($4k rent vs $230k).
• Recommended offer: $226k (1.5% below list) — sets the bar for market timing.
• Cap rate 12.3% vs local median 3.6% in Pittsfield — 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 75/100 on livability (#70 in MA, #3,820 nationally) — a middle-class / working-renter tenant base. Strengths: commute A+, housing A+, health & safety A+; Watch: employment C-, amenities D+, crime D.
• Pittsfield (urban): math 19% / reading 34% proficiency, ranked #272 of 302 in MA (top 90%) — low school quality limits family demand, transient renter base, plan for 1-2y turnover.
• Zoned schools: Morningside Community School (math 8% / reading 22%, grade F, #854 of 938 statewide, top 93%, 355 students, 0% FRL); Pittsfield High (math 32% / reading 57%, grade F, #203 of 343 statewide, top 60%, 651 students, 0% FRL) — zoned schools average 0% FRL vs 50% district-wide (50 pts lower); this property's tenant base skews higher-income than the district average.
• Market conditions: Rents rising fast (+7.7%/yr); 275 active listings in the ZIP; 130 units permitted in Berkshire County in 2024 (10 in 5+ unit buildings).
• At $3,516/mo this rent would consume 59% of the median local household income ($71k/yr) (locally 1580% 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 $2k of loan paydown is wiped out by about $7k of value loss. Plan a longer hold.
• Berkshire County population projected at -24% by 2050 — secular population decline; favor cash flow + early exit over multi-decade hold.
• At projected returns (-3.0% appreciation + 7.7% rent growth), your $64k cash investment doubles in ~5 years — after that, you're playing with house money.

Negotiation context

• It's been on market 16 days — a 2% lower offer ($226k) is reasonable based on typical stale-listing flexibility.
• 2 sale attempts since 21y 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 $138k; list at $230k implies a 67% gain — meaningful room to come down on a strong offer.

Risks & watch-outs

• Watch-outs: built in 1920 — expect roof / HVAC / electrical / plumbing capex.

Recommended offer $226,451 (1.5% below list)

Questions for the listing agent

1. Can we see the unit-by-unit rent roll, current vacancy, and any below-market leases? What's the average tenancy length?
2. What capital expenditures (roof, boiler, parking lot, exteriors) have been made in the last 5 years, and what's planned in the next 2?
3. Built in 1920 — when were the roof, HVAC, electrical panel, plumbing, and water heater last replaced?
4. Is there a deadline driving the sale (1031 exchange, divorce, estate, relocation)? That informs how much negotiation room exists.
5. 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?
6. 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?
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: 1.53% ✓
• Cap rate: 12.30%
• Cash-on-cash: 21.46%
• DSCR: 1.95
• GRM: 5.4

CMA / ARV

• ARV (on-the-fly): $301,752
• Comps found: 12

Show comp detail 12 sales within ~0.75 mi

Address	Dist	Beds/Ba	Sqft	Sold	Price	$/sf	Match
29 Glenwood Ave	0.17mi	6/2.0	2,736 (-10%)	3mo	$242,340	$89	72
76-78 Stoddard Ave	0.25mi	7/3.0 (+1)	3,120 (+2%)	4mo	$275,000	$88	72
474 Tyler St	0.11mi	5/4.0 (-1)	3,276 (+8%)	1mo	$345,000	$105	69
52-54 Brown St	0.13mi	6/3.0	2,736 (-10%)	8mo	$321,000	$117	66
10-12 Stoddard Ave	0.45mi	6/2.5	2,840 (-7%)	6mo	$152,000	$54	61
91 Dalton Ave	0.46mi	6/3.0	3,276 (+8%)	3mo	$375,000	$114	60
10 Cherry St	0.39mi	6/4.0	3,320 (+9%)	2mo	$295,000	$89	58
21 Pleasant St	0.47mi	7/4.0 (+1)	2,951 (-3%)	10mo	$375,000	$127	52
119 Lenox Ave Unit 1 & 2	0.73mi	5/2.0 (-1)	2,940 (-4%)	7mo	$292,000	$99	49
1 Rostone Pl	0.71mi	7/3.0 (+1)	3,180 (+4%)	6mo	$380,000	$119	46
61 Seymour St	0.73mi	6/2.0	2,736 (-10%)	4mo	$210,000	$77	45
30 Lenox Ave	0.62mi	7/3.0 (+1)	3,360 (+10%)	1mo	$125,000	$37	44

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 · 7.72% rent growth · sell at horizon

5-year hold

• IRR: 19.3%
• Equity multiple: 1.83×
• Total profit: $53,627
• Equity at exit: $34,279

10-year hold

• IRR: 30.8%
• Equity multiple: 4.43×
• Total profit: $220,553
• Equity at exit: $19,878

Cash invested: $64,372 (down + closing). Projections, not guarantees.

Landlord ↔ Tenant lean methodology

• Overall (STATE): 20 Strongly Tenant-Friendly
• State Massachusetts: 20 Strongly Tenant-Friendly · D+15
• County: — inherits STATE
• City: — inherits STATE

Cambridge / Boston historically rent-controlled (preempted 1994 but consideration ongoing); strong tenant protections; court backlogs.

Methodology + full state rankings →

ZIP-level market 01201

• Rents YoY: 7.7%
• Active inventory: 275
• Price-to-rent: 12.4×

Monthly cashflow live

• Estimated rent: $3,516 medium
• Mortgage (P&I): −$1,206
• Tax from tax record: −$325 /mo · $3,902/yr
• Insurance: −$96
• HOA: −$0
• Vacancy / Maint / Mgmt: −$738
• Net cashflow: $1,151

Break-even live

Break-even rent $2,059

Max offer price $229,900

Occupancy floor 62%

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

Units	Beds	Baths	Est. rent
1× unit	2	1	$1,551
1× unit	3	1	$1,965
Total (2 units)			$3,516

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: $57,475
• Closing costs: $6,897
• Reserves months: —
• Total cash needed: —

Listing history 12 events

1. 2026-06-19
   days on market $229,900 Active 16 DOM
2. 2026-06-18
   days on market $229,900 Active 15 DOM
3. 2026-06-17
   days on market $229,900 Active 14 DOM
4. 2026-06-16
   days on market $229,900 Active 13 DOM
5. 2026-06-15
   days on market $229,900 Active 12 DOM
6. 2026-06-14
   days on market $229,900 Active 10 DOM
7. 2026-06-12
   days on market $229,900 Active 9 DOM
8. 2026-06-09
   days on market $229,900 Active 6 DOM
9. 2026-06-08
   days on market $229,900 Active 5 DOM
10. 2026-06-07
    days on market $229,900 Active 4 DOM
11. 2026-06-05
    remarks 691-char remark
12. 2026-06-05
    listed $229,900 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 MA · Partial reset (capped growth)

• Current annual tax: $3,902 · $325/mo
• Projected year-2 tax: $3,902 · $325/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 · 0% chance over 30 yrs
• 🔥 Wildfire 1/10 Low
• 🌡 Heat 2/10 Low 7 d/yr ≥92°F today · 16 d/yr by 30 yrs out
• 💨 Wind 4/10 Moderate 11% chance of damaging wind over 30 yrs
• 🫁 Air quality 2/10 Low 1 unhealthy d/yr today · 1 by 30 yrs out

Taxation est. · year 1

• Rental income: $42,192
• − Mortgage interest: −$12,878
• − Property taxes: −$3,902
• − Insurance: −$1,150
• − Repairs & maintenance: −$3,375
• − Management: −$3,375
• − Depreciation: −$6,688
• Taxable income: $10,824
• Est. tax owed @ 24.0%: −$2,598
• After-tax cash flow: $11,215/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: Pittsfield
• NCES district ID: 2509630
• Math proficiency: 19% ▼ -10.00%
• Reading proficiency: 34% ▼ -2.00%
• Median HH income: $44,032
• Composite: 22.67/100
• National rank: #8046
• State rank: #272 of 302 in MA

Livability — Pittsfield

• Score: 75/100
• State rank: #70
• US rank: #3820

Category grades

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

Schools grade is shown separately in the Schools card above.

Census & demographics

• Census place: Pittsfield, MA
• County: Berkshire County · 44,848 people
• City population: 44,848
• Metro: Pittsfield, MA
• Population (ZIP): 44,848
• Household income: $71,093
• Rent vs Own: 36.5% rent · 63.5% own
• Severe rent burden: 1580.0

Population outlook (Berkshire County) Hauer SSP2

• Today (2025): 119,723 people
• By 2030: 114,608 · -4.3%
• By 2040: 102,806 · -14.1%
• By 2050: 91,305 · -23.7%
• By 2075: 71,517 · -40.3%
• By 2100: 57,988 · -51.6%

Race, ethnicity, and origin ACS 2023

• Neighborhood character: Predominantly White (78%)
• Race & ethnicity: White 78% Two or more races 10% Hispanic / Latino 9% Black 5% Asian 1%
• Hispanic origin (detail): Puerto Rican 3%
• Common ancestry: Lithuanian 8% Romanian 6% Slovak 2%
• Foreign-born: 7% · Canada, Jamaica
• Languages at home: 90% English-only · Spanish 6% Other Indo-European 1% Russian/Polish/Slavic 1%

Political lean MEDSL · Berkshire

• 2024 margin: Solid D (+39.9) · D 68.9% · R 29.0% · Other 2.1%
• 2008→2024 swing: -12.5pp toward R · 2008: 52.4pp · 2024: 39.9pp
• All cycles: 2024: D+39.9 2020: D+47.1 2016: D+41.5 2012: D+53.7 2008: D+52.4

Not yet ingested

• Civics: —

Market trends

• HPI YoY: ▼ -199.88%
• Current HPI: 283.3421
• Rent YoY: ▲ 7.72%
• Metro: Pittsfield, MA
• State GDP YoY: ▲ 2.28%
• F500 in state: 38

Industry mix (Fortune 500 HQ in MA)

Industry	F500 HQs	Revenue
▸Technology	3	$17B
▸Insurance	2	$84B
▸Retail	2	$76B
▸Life Sciences	1	$43B
▸Energy Technology	1	$31B
▸Aerospace / Defense	1	$18B

Price history

+318.0% since first listed

5 events — show timeline

• 2026-06-02 Listed $229,900 BCMLS
• 2005-11-30 Sold (Public Records) $138,000 Public Records
• 2005-11-30 Sold (MLS) $138,000 BCMLS
• 2005-06-14 Listed $139,900 BCMLS
• 1984-12-01 Sold (Public Records) $55,000 Public Records

Property tax history

+4.3%/yr

Latest (2023): $3,902 · +3.7% YoY. Source: county tax records.