4381 Desert Rd · Suffolk, VA 23434

$150,000

3 bd · 1.0 ba · 2,128 sqft · SingleFamily public records · 236 Days on market

Built 1945 1.00 ac lot

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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 +23.9/30.0
• 1% rule +8.6/10.0
• DSCR +7.7/10.0
• ARV discount +7.5/15.0
• Schools +4.8/10.0
• Rent growth +4.0/5.0
• Livability +3.9/5.0
• Condition / age +2.5/5.0
• Appreciation +0.0/10.0

Listing remarks MLS

Discover the unlimited potential of this extraordinary 109-acre property,perfectly situated just minutes from NC border. Offering a rare combination of peaceful rural ambiance & significant development opportunity,this expansive tract of land is ideal for a wide range of uses and incls a single family home w/2 septics & a well which was lived in a few years ago,a single wide trailer w/septic & a well that was lived in until a few months ago, & a barn.This is more than just land—this is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to own a large,versatile property w/multiple structures, established utilities,road frontage,& ability to subdivide into 1-acre parcels per city guidelines.Whether you're a developer looking to build a community,an investor seeking high-return potential,or a buyer looking to create a private retreat or legacy homestead,this property checks all the boxes.Property is being sold as-is, where-is.Seller assumes no liability for any injuries sustained while on the premises.

Key facts

• Detached barn
• Shared well
• 1 acre lot

Tags

• DETACHED BARN
• SHARED WELL
• EASY ACCESS TO DOWNTOWN
• EASY ACCESS TO SHOPPING
• EASY ACCESS TO RESTAURANTS
• EASY ACCESS TO INTERSTATE

Property features AI

Finance

• Other: Approximately 1.0 acre; Listed as fixer upper
• HOA & community: No HOA

Exterior

• Parking: Driveway space
• Utilities: Well water; Septic sewer; Electric water heater; Heat pump (heating); 16+ SEER air conditioning
• Home design: Detached farmhouse; 2 stories; Crawl foundation
• Construction: Vinyl siding; Metal roof
• Exterior features: Well water; Septic; Wooded lot; Detached workshop; Storage shed

Interior

• Kitchen: Breakfast area
• Bedrooms: Bedroom and full bathroom on first floor
• Flooring: Ceramic
• Bathrooms: 1 full bathroom
• Heating & cooling: Heat pump; 16+ SEER A/C
• Interior features: Wood-burning fireplace; Fireplace (1 total); Ceramic floors; Attic; Sun room; Porch; Foyer; Pantry; Workshop
• Laundry & utility: Washer hookup; Dryer hookup; Utility room

What this means for you Summary

Snapshot

• This is a 3-bed/1.0-bath single-family listed at $150k.

Deal economics

• At list price, monthly cash flow is $291 ($3k/yr) — positive.
• The deal already cash-flows at list — no discount required.
• Meets the 1% rule at list price ($2k rent vs $150k).
• Recommended offer: $132k (12.0% below list) — sets the bar for market timing.
• Cap rate 8.6% vs local median 3.5% in Suffolk — 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 (#88 in VA, #2,896 nationally) — a middle-class / working-renter tenant base. Strengths: housing A+, health & safety A+, employment A-; Watch: crime C-, commute F.
• Suffolk City Public School District (suburban): math 41% / reading 69% proficiency, ranked #72 of 131 in VA (top 55%) — acceptable for families but not a draw, mixed tenant base, ~2y average lease.
• Zoned schools: Oakland Elementary (math 52% / reading 72%, grade B, #480 of 1,108 statewide, top 46%, 469 students, 64% FRL); Lakeland High (math 33% / reading 77%, grade C, #279 of 319 statewide, top 88%, 1,083 students, 64% FRL) — zoned schools average 64% FRL vs 39% district-wide (25 pts higher); higher-poverty schools than district average — tighter screening recommended.
• Market conditions: Rents rising fast (+5.8%/yr); 536 active listings in the ZIP; solid renter incomes; 680 units permitted in Suffolk city in 2024 (0 in 5+ unit buildings).
• This rent runs 31% of the median local income ($80k/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 $1k of loan paydown is wiped out by about $4k of value loss. Plan a longer hold.
• Suffolk County population projected at +11% by 2050 — modest demand growth; plan on rents tracking national, not racing it.
• At projected returns (-3.0% appreciation + 5.8% rent growth), your $42k cash investment doubles in ~9 years — after that, you're playing with house money.

Negotiation context

• It's been on market 236 days — a 12% lower offer ($132k) is reasonable based on typical stale-listing flexibility.
• 4 sale attempts 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.

Risks & watch-outs

• Watch-outs: property tax is 3.8% of price; built in 1945 — expect roof / HVAC / electrical / plumbing capex.
• Climate carrying-cost: severe wind risk, 80% chance of damaging wind over 30y; extreme-heat days projected 7→16/yr by 2055 (HVAC capex compounding) — expect insurance premiums to compound above CPI over the hold.

Recommended offer $132,000 (12.0% below list)

Questions for the listing agent

1. It's been on market 236 days. Have you received any prior offers? Is the seller open to a 12% concession, seller financing, or rate buy-down credit?
2. Built in 1945 — when were the roof, HVAC, electrical panel, plumbing, and water heater last replaced?
3. Property tax is high relative to price — has the assessment been appealed recently, and will the sale trigger a re-assessment?
4. Why hasn't it sold? Are there any deal-killer items the seller is aware of (foundation, flood, title, zoning, code violations)?
5. Is there a deadline driving the sale (1031 exchange, divorce, estate, relocation)? That informs how much negotiation room exists.
6. Schools are A-rated — typically a magnet for longer-tenancy family renters. What's the average tenant stay here, and is there a school-zone premium baked into asking?
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 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: 1.36% ✓
• Cap rate: 8.62%
• Cash-on-cash: 8.31%
• DSCR: 1.37
• GRM: 6.1

CMA / ARV

No comps found within radius.

Projected returns pro-forma

-3.0% appreciation · 5.84% rent growth · sell at horizon

5-year hold

• IRR: 0.2%
• Equity multiple: 1.01×
• Total profit: $412
• Equity at exit: $22,365

10-year hold

• IRR: 13.2%
• Equity multiple: 2.22×
• Total profit: $51,128
• Equity at exit: $12,969

Cash invested: $42,000 (down + closing). Projections, not guarantees.

Landlord ↔ Tenant lean methodology

• Overall (STATE): 55 Moderately Landlord-Leaning
• State Virginia: 55 Moderately Landlord-Leaning · D+2
• County: — inherits STATE
• City: — inherits STATE

VRLTA gives some tenant protections; Northern Virginia courts slower; rural VA landlord-leaning.

Methodology + full state rankings →

ZIP-level market 23434

• Rents YoY: 5.8%
• Active inventory: 536
• Price-to-rent: 6.1×

Monthly cashflow live

• Estimated rent: $2,041 medium
• Mortgage (P&I): −$787
• Tax from tax record: −$473 /mo · $5,673/yr
• Insurance: −$62
• HOA: −$0
• Vacancy / Maint / Mgmt: −$429
• Net cashflow: $291

Break-even live

Break-even rent $1,673

Max offer price $150,000

Occupancy floor 81%

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: $37,500
• Closing costs: $4,500
• Reserves months: —
• Total cash needed: —

Listing history 25 events

1. 2026-06-16
   statusdays on market $150,000 Under Contract 236 DOM
2. 2026-06-15
   days on market $150,000 Active Under Contract 235 DOM
3. 2026-06-13
   days on market $150,000 Active Under Contract 233 DOM
4. 2026-06-09
   days on market $150,000 Active Under Contract 229 DOM
5. 2026-06-08
   days on market $150,000 Active Under Contract 228 DOM
6. 2026-06-07
   days on market $150,000 Active Under Contract 227 DOM
7. 2026-06-03
   days on market $150,000 Active Under Contract 223 DOM
8. 2026-06-02
   days on market $150,000 Active Under Contract 222 DOM
9. 2026-06-01
   days on market $150,000 Active Under Contract 221 DOM
10. 2026-05-31
    days on market $150,000 Active Under Contract 220 DOM
11. 2026-05-01
    historical Active Under Contract
12. 2026-05-01
    status Active
13. 2026-05-01
    historical
14. 2025-10-21
    listed $150,000 Active
15. 2025-08-28
    soldstatus $575,000
16. 2025-08-27
    soldstatus $575,000 Sold 1024-char remark

    Show marketing remark (1024 chars)

    Discover the unlimited potential of this extraordinary 109-acre property,perfectly situated just minutes from NC border. Offering a rare combination of peaceful rural ambiance & significant development opportunity,this expansive tract of land is ideal for a wide range of uses and incls a single family home w/2 septics & a well which was lived in a few years ago,a single wide trailer w/septic & a well that was lived in until a few months ago, & a barn.This is more than just land—this is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to own a large,versatile property w/multiple structures, established utilities,road frontage,& ability to subdivide into 1-acre parcels per city guidelines.Whether you're a developer looking to build a community,an investor seeking high-return potential,or a buyer looking to create a private retreat or legacy homestead,this property checks all the boxes.Property is being sold as-is, where-is.Seller assumes no liability for any injuries sustained while on the premises.

17. 2025-07-08
    status Under Contract 1024-char remark

    Show marketing remark (1024 chars)

    Discover the unlimited potential of this extraordinary 109-acre property,perfectly situated just minutes from NC border. Offering a rare combination of peaceful rural ambiance & significant development opportunity,this expansive tract of land is ideal for a wide range of uses and incls a single family home w/2 septics & a well which was lived in a few years ago,a single wide trailer w/septic & a well that was lived in until a few months ago, & a barn.This is more than just land—this is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to own a large,versatile property w/multiple structures, established utilities,road frontage,& ability to subdivide into 1-acre parcels per city guidelines.Whether you're a developer looking to build a community,an investor seeking high-return potential,or a buyer looking to create a private retreat or legacy homestead,this property checks all the boxes.Property is being sold as-is, where-is.Seller assumes no liability for any injuries sustained while on the premises.

18. 2025-06-26
    historical Active Under Contract 1024-char remark

    Show marketing remark (1024 chars)

    Discover the unlimited potential of this extraordinary 109-acre property,perfectly situated just minutes from NC border. Offering a rare combination of peaceful rural ambiance & significant development opportunity,this expansive tract of land is ideal for a wide range of uses and incls a single family home w/2 septics & a well which was lived in a few years ago,a single wide trailer w/septic & a well that was lived in until a few months ago, & a barn.This is more than just land—this is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to own a large,versatile property w/multiple structures, established utilities,road frontage,& ability to subdivide into 1-acre parcels per city guidelines.Whether you're a developer looking to build a community,an investor seeking high-return potential,or a buyer looking to create a private retreat or legacy homestead,this property checks all the boxes.Property is being sold as-is, where-is.Seller assumes no liability for any injuries sustained while on the premises.

19. 2025-06-25
    status Active 1024-char remark

    Show marketing remark (1024 chars)

    Discover the unlimited potential of this extraordinary 109-acre property,perfectly situated just minutes from NC border. Offering a rare combination of peaceful rural ambiance & significant development opportunity,this expansive tract of land is ideal for a wide range of uses and incls a single family home w/2 septics & a well which was lived in a few years ago,a single wide trailer w/septic & a well that was lived in until a few months ago, & a barn.This is more than just land—this is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to own a large,versatile property w/multiple structures, established utilities,road frontage,& ability to subdivide into 1-acre parcels per city guidelines.Whether you're a developer looking to build a community,an investor seeking high-return potential,or a buyer looking to create a private retreat or legacy homestead,this property checks all the boxes.Property is being sold as-is, where-is.Seller assumes no liability for any injuries sustained while on the premises.

20. 2025-06-24
    historical Active Under Contract 1024-char remark

    Show marketing remark (1024 chars)

    Discover the unlimited potential of this extraordinary 109-acre property,perfectly situated just minutes from NC border. Offering a rare combination of peaceful rural ambiance & significant development opportunity,this expansive tract of land is ideal for a wide range of uses and incls a single family home w/2 septics & a well which was lived in a few years ago,a single wide trailer w/septic & a well that was lived in until a few months ago, & a barn.This is more than just land—this is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to own a large,versatile property w/multiple structures, established utilities,road frontage,& ability to subdivide into 1-acre parcels per city guidelines.Whether you're a developer looking to build a community,an investor seeking high-return potential,or a buyer looking to create a private retreat or legacy homestead,this property checks all the boxes.Property is being sold as-is, where-is.Seller assumes no liability for any injuries sustained while on the premises.

21. 2025-06-02
    status Under Contract 1024-char remark

    Show marketing remark (1024 chars)

    Discover the unlimited potential of this extraordinary 109-acre property,perfectly situated just minutes from NC border. Offering a rare combination of peaceful rural ambiance & significant development opportunity,this expansive tract of land is ideal for a wide range of uses and incls a single family home w/2 septics & a well which was lived in a few years ago,a single wide trailer w/septic & a well that was lived in until a few months ago, & a barn.This is more than just land—this is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to own a large,versatile property w/multiple structures, established utilities,road frontage,& ability to subdivide into 1-acre parcels per city guidelines.Whether you're a developer looking to build a community,an investor seeking high-return potential,or a buyer looking to create a private retreat or legacy homestead,this property checks all the boxes.Property is being sold as-is, where-is.Seller assumes no liability for any injuries sustained while on the premises.

22. 2025-05-22
    price $575,000 1024-char remark

    Show marketing remark (1024 chars)

    Discover the unlimited potential of this extraordinary 109-acre property,perfectly situated just minutes from NC border. Offering a rare combination of peaceful rural ambiance & significant development opportunity,this expansive tract of land is ideal for a wide range of uses and incls a single family home w/2 septics & a well which was lived in a few years ago,a single wide trailer w/septic & a well that was lived in until a few months ago, & a barn.This is more than just land—this is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to own a large,versatile property w/multiple structures, established utilities,road frontage,& ability to subdivide into 1-acre parcels per city guidelines.Whether you're a developer looking to build a community,an investor seeking high-return potential,or a buyer looking to create a private retreat or legacy homestead,this property checks all the boxes.Property is being sold as-is, where-is.Seller assumes no liability for any injuries sustained while on the premises.

23. 2025-05-14
    price $650,000 1024-char remark

    Show marketing remark (1024 chars)

    Discover the unlimited potential of this extraordinary 109-acre property,perfectly situated just minutes from NC border. Offering a rare combination of peaceful rural ambiance & significant development opportunity,this expansive tract of land is ideal for a wide range of uses and incls a single family home w/2 septics & a well which was lived in a few years ago,a single wide trailer w/septic & a well that was lived in until a few months ago, & a barn.This is more than just land—this is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to own a large,versatile property w/multiple structures, established utilities,road frontage,& ability to subdivide into 1-acre parcels per city guidelines.Whether you're a developer looking to build a community,an investor seeking high-return potential,or a buyer looking to create a private retreat or legacy homestead,this property checks all the boxes.Property is being sold as-is, where-is.Seller assumes no liability for any injuries sustained while on the premises.

24. 2025-05-02
    price $750,000 1024-char remark

    Show marketing remark (1024 chars)

    Discover the unlimited potential of this extraordinary 109-acre property,perfectly situated just minutes from NC border. Offering a rare combination of peaceful rural ambiance & significant development opportunity,this expansive tract of land is ideal for a wide range of uses and incls a single family home w/2 septics & a well which was lived in a few years ago,a single wide trailer w/septic & a well that was lived in until a few months ago, & a barn.This is more than just land—this is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to own a large,versatile property w/multiple structures, established utilities,road frontage,& ability to subdivide into 1-acre parcels per city guidelines.Whether you're a developer looking to build a community,an investor seeking high-return potential,or a buyer looking to create a private retreat or legacy homestead,this property checks all the boxes.Property is being sold as-is, where-is.Seller assumes no liability for any injuries sustained while on the premises.

25. 2025-03-25
    listed $850,000 Active 1024-char remark

    Show marketing remark (1024 chars)

    Discover the unlimited potential of this extraordinary 109-acre property,perfectly situated just minutes from NC border. Offering a rare combination of peaceful rural ambiance & significant development opportunity,this expansive tract of land is ideal for a wide range of uses and incls a single family home w/2 septics & a well which was lived in a few years ago,a single wide trailer w/septic & a well that was lived in until a few months ago, & a barn.This is more than just land—this is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to own a large,versatile property w/multiple structures, established utilities,road frontage,& ability to subdivide into 1-acre parcels per city guidelines.Whether you're a developer looking to build a community,an investor seeking high-return potential,or a buyer looking to create a private retreat or legacy homestead,this property checks all the boxes.Property is being sold as-is, where-is.Seller assumes no liability for any injuries sustained while on the premises.

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

Tax reassessment forecast VA · Resets to sale price

• Current annual tax: $5,673 · $473/mo
• Projected year-2 tax: $5,673 · $473/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 3/10 Moderate
• 🌡 Heat 8/10 Severe 7 d/yr ≥109°F today · 16 d/yr by 30 yrs out
• 💨 Wind 8/10 Severe 80% chance of damaging wind over 30 yrs
• 🫁 Air quality 2/10 Low 0 unhealthy d/yr today · 1 by 30 yrs out

Taxation est. · year 1

• Rental income: $24,495
• − Mortgage interest: −$8,402
• − Property taxes: −$5,673
• − Insurance: −$750
• − Repairs & maintenance: −$1,960
• − Management: −$1,960
• − Depreciation: −$4,364
• Taxable income: $1,386
• Est. tax owed @ 24.0%: −$333
• After-tax cash flow: $3,155/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: Suffolk City Public School District
• NCES district ID: 5103710
• Math proficiency: 41% ▼ -43.00%
• Reading proficiency: 69% ▼ -8.00%
• Median HH income: $65,573
• Composite: 48.31/100
• National rank: #2151
• State rank: #72 of 131 in VA

Livability — Suffolk

• Score: 77/100
• State rank: #88
• US rank: #2896

Category grades

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

Schools grade is shown separately in the Schools card above.

Census & demographics

• Census place: Suffolk, VA
• County: Suffolk City · 88,108 people
• City population: 88,108
• Metro: Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC
• Population (ZIP): 54,387
• Household income: $79,877
• Rent vs Own: 31.5% rent · 68.5% own
• Severe rent burden: 1934.0

Population outlook (Suffolk County) Hauer SSP2

• Today (2025): 95,269 people
• By 2030: 98,269 · +3.1%
• By 2040: 103,177 · +8.3%
• By 2050: 105,777 · +11.0%
• By 2075: 110,963 · +16.5%
• By 2100: 103,711 · +8.9%

Race, ethnicity, and origin ACS 2023

• Neighborhood character: Diverse neighborhood (Simpson 0.58)
• Race & ethnicity: Black 49% White 41% Two or more races 5% Hispanic / Latino 4% Asian 1%
• Common ancestry: Lithuanian 1% Slovak 1% Italian 1%
• Foreign-born: 3% · Canada
• Languages at home: 96% English-only · Spanish 2%

Political lean MEDSL · Suffolk

• 2024 margin: D (+15.9) · D 57.4% · R 41.5% · Other 1.2%
• 2008→2024 swing: +2.7pp toward D · 2008: 13.2pp · 2024: 15.9pp
• All cycles: 2024: D+15.9 2020: D+17.3 2016: D+13.8 2012: D+15.1 2008: D+13.2

Not yet ingested

• Civics: —

Market trends

• HPI YoY: ▼ -383.80%
• Current HPI: 158.5866
• Rent YoY: ▲ 5.84%
• Metro: Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC
• State GDP YoY: ▲ 2.40%
• F500 in state: 50

Industry mix (Fortune 500 HQ in VA)

Industry	F500 HQs	Revenue
▸Aerospace / Defense	4	$236B
▸Technology / Defense	3	$32B
▸Financial Services	2	$176B
▸Utilities	2	$27B
▸Insurance	2	$25B
▸Technology	2	$15B

Price history

-82.4% since first listed

15 events — show timeline

• 2026-05-01 Contingent — REINMLS
• 2026-05-01 Relisted — REINMLS
• 2026-05-01 Listing Removed — REINMLS
• 2025-10-21 Listed $150,000 REINMLS
• 2025-08-28 Sold (Public Records) $575,000 Public Records
• 2025-08-27 Sold (MLS) $575,000 REINMLS
• 2025-07-08 Pending — REINMLS
• 2025-06-26 Contingent — REINMLS
• 2025-06-25 Relisted — REINMLS
• 2025-06-24 Contingent — REINMLS
• 2025-06-02 Pending — REINMLS
• 2025-05-22 Price Changed $575,000 REINMLS
• 2025-05-14 Price Changed $650,000 REINMLS
• 2025-05-02 Price Changed $750,000 REINMLS
• 2025-03-25 Listed $850,000 REINMLS

Property tax history

+4.4%/yr

Latest (2025): $5,673 · +9.5% YoY. Source: county tax records.