660 Briarstone Dr. Unit #5 Dr

Mason City, IA 50401

$155,000C-

2 bd · 1.0 ba · 1,056 sqft · Built 1983 · Condo · Active · 293 DOM

Cashflow @ list (25.0% down · 7.5%)

• Estimated rent: $1,580/mo
• Mortgage (P&I): −$813
• Tax + insurance: −$258
• HOA: −$180
• Vac / Maint / Mgmt: −$332
• Net cashflow: $-3/mo
• Annual: $-36/yr
• Cap rate: 6.27%
• Cash-on-cash: -0.08%
• DSCR: 1.00
• 1% rule: 1.02%
• Cash to close: $43,400

Investor read

• This is a 2-bed/1.0-bath condo listed at $155k. Condition is rated good.
• At list price, monthly cash flow is $-3 ($-36/yr) — negative.
• To cash-flow at today's rent, offer at most $155k (0.3% below list).
• Meets the 1% rule at list price ($2k rent vs $155k).
• It's been on market 293 days — a 12% lower offer ($136k) is reasonable based on typical stale-listing flexibility.
• Recommended offer: $136k (12.0% below list) — sets the bar for market timing.
• 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.
• Location reads 81/100 on livability (#67 in IA, #1,477 nationally) — a professional / high-income tenant draw. Strengths: commute A+, cost of living A+, housing A+; Watch: amenities F.
• Mason City Community School District (town): math 50% / reading 58% proficiency, ranked #271 of 289 in IA (top 94%) — acceptable for families but not a draw, mixed tenant base, ~2y average lease.
• Zoned schools: Hoover Elementary School (math 47% / reading 47%, grade D-, #530 of 616 statewide, top 88%, 375 students, 59% FRL); John Adams Middle School (math 46% / reading 54%, grade C, #216 of 246 statewide, top 88%, 480 students, 56% FRL); Mason City High School (math 50% / reading 63%, grade C, #286 of 336 statewide, top 85%, 956 students, 46% FRL).
• Market conditions: 239 active listings in the ZIP; 1 comparable units currently listed for rent nearby; 54 units permitted in Cerro Gordo County in 2024 (6 in 5+ unit buildings).
• Cerro Gordo County population projected at -18% by 2050 — secular population decline; favor cash flow + early exit over multi-decade hold.
• 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.

Questions for listing agent

• What do current leases actually rent for vs. the listed asking? Can we see a recent rent roll and the last 12 months of T-12 income?
• It's been on market 293 days. Have you received any prior offers? Is the seller open to a 12% concession, seller financing, or rate buy-down credit?
• What does the HOA fee cover, when was the last increase, and are there any pending special assessments or reserve-fund shortfalls?
• Any open or pending special assessments — roof, HVAC, plumbing, elevator, façade? What's the per-unit balance and payoff schedule, and is the seller paying it off at close or rolling it to the buyer?
• 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.
• This sits on a lake — are riparian / water-frontage rights deeded with the parcel? Any dock permits, shoreline easements, or HOA water-use restrictions?
• What's the documented flood / surge / shoreline-erosion history here (FEMA AND non-FEMA — e.g., storm surge, creek backup, septic-field saturation)?

Repairs flagged (vision-AI assessment)

• Minor: kitchen cabinets — dated design
• Minor: bathroom vanity — dated design