115 S Forest Ave · Carbondale, IL 62901

$47,000

3 bd · 1.0 ba · 1,152 sqft · Other

Built 1975 5,830 sqft lot

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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
• 1% rule +10.0/10.0
• DSCR +10.0/10.0
• ARV discount +7.5/15.0
• Rent growth +3.6/5.0
• Livability +3.5/5.0
• Condition / age +2.5/5.0
• Schools +2.4/10.0
• Appreciation +0.0/10.0

Listing remarks

Looking for space, shade, and potential? This 4-bedroom, 2-bath home in Carbondale offers a generous footprint with a flexible layout-perfect to tailor as your forever home or as a solid income-producing rental. Nestled on a deep lot with mature trees and plenty of green space, there's room for both play and projects. Inside, the home has long-term tenants and is being sold as-is, making it a great opportunity for someone who wants to invest a little sweat equity. Located just minutes from SIU, downtown, and public transportation routes-this one checks all the location boxes. Whether you're looking for an affordable way to enter the market, house a growing family, or add to your rental port

Key facts

• 5,830 sq ft lot
• Built 1975

What this means for you Summary

Snapshot

• This is a 3-bed/1.0-bath other listed at $47k.

Deal economics

• At list price, monthly cash flow is $316 ($4k/yr) — positive.
• The deal already cash-flows at list — no discount required.
• Meets the 1% rule at list price ($954 rent vs $47k).
• Cap rate 14.4% vs local median 4.9% in Carbondale — 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 70/100 on livability (#375 in IL) — a middle-class / working-renter tenant base. Strengths: amenities A+, commute A+, cost of living A+; Watch: housing C-, crime F, employment F.
• Carbondale Chsd 165 (urban): math 26% / reading 35% proficiency, ranked #279 of 620 in IL (top 45%) — families likely to look elsewhere, expect single-tenant / working-renter base with shorter leases.
• Zoned schools: Carbondale Comm H S (math 26% / reading 35%, grade F, #175 of 693 statewide, top 26%, 997 students, 0% FRL).
• Market conditions: Rents rising fast (+4.5%/yr); 202 active listings in the ZIP; 1 comparable units currently listed for rent nearby; lower-income renter base — watch delinquency; 5 units permitted in Jackson County in 2024 (0 in 5+ unit buildings).
• This rent runs 33% of the median local income ($35k/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 $325 of loan paydown is wiped out by about $1k of value loss. Plan a longer hold.
• At projected returns (-3.0% appreciation + 4.5% rent growth), your $13k cash investment doubles in ~4 years — after that, you're playing with house money.

Negotiation context

• Only 0 days on market — expect competitive offers; lowballing is unlikely to land.
• 3 sale attempts since 4y 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 $30k; list at $47k implies a 57% gain — meaningful room to come down on a strong offer.

Risks & watch-outs

• Watch-outs: property tax is 4.4% of price.
• Climate carrying-cost: extreme-heat days projected 7→21/yr by 2055 (HVAC capex compounding) — expect insurance premiums to compound above CPI over the hold.

Recommended offer $47,000

Questions for the listing agent

1. Built in 1975 — when were the roof, HVAC, electrical panel, plumbing, and water heater last replaced?
2. Property tax is high relative to price — has the assessment been appealed recently, and will the sale trigger a re-assessment?
3. Is there a deadline driving the sale (1031 exchange, divorce, estate, relocation)? That informs how much negotiation room exists.
4. 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?
5. 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?
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: 2.03% ✓
• Cap rate: 14.36%
• Cash-on-cash: 28.81%
• DSCR: 2.28
• GRM: 4.1

CMA / ARV

No comps found within radius.

Projected returns pro-forma

-3.0% appreciation · 4.51% rent growth · sell at horizon

5-year hold

• IRR: 25.2%
• Equity multiple: 2.07×
• Total profit: $14,063
• Equity at exit: $7,008

10-year hold

• IRR: 34.1%
• Equity multiple: 4.40×
• Total profit: $44,723
• Equity at exit: $4,064

Cash invested: $13,160 (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 62901

• Rents YoY: 4.5%
• Active inventory: 202
• Price-to-rent: 4.1×

Monthly cashflow live

• Estimated rent: $954 medium
• Mortgage (P&I): −$246
• Tax from tax record: −$171 /mo · $2,058/yr
• Insurance: −$20
• HOA: −$0
• Vacancy / Maint / Mgmt: −$200
• Net cashflow: $316

Break-even live

Break-even rent $554

Max offer price $47,000

Occupancy floor 62%

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: $11,750
• Closing costs: $1,410
• Reserves months: —
• Total cash needed: —

Rent comps 1 comps

Address	Beds	Baths	Sqft	Rent	$/sqft	DOM	Units	Dist
250 S Lewis Ln Carbondale, IL	3.0	1.0	622	$750	$1.20	44d	1	1.37mi

Listing history 19 events

1. 2026-05-24
   status Pending
2. 2026-05-24
   status Pending
3. 2026-05-22
   status Pending
4. 2026-03-05
   soldstatus $30,000 Closed
5. 2026-03-05
   soldstatus $30,000 Closed
6. 2026-03-05
   soldstatus $30,000 Closed
7. 2026-03-05
   soldstatus $30,000 Closed
8. 2026-03-05
   soldstatus $60,000
9. 2026-01-08
   status Pending
10. 2026-01-05
    historical
11. 2025-11-06
    status Pending
12. 2025-11-05
    historical
13. 2025-11-05
    historical
14. 2025-07-01
    listed $47,000
15. 2025-07-01
    listed Active
16. 2023-07-07
    historical
17. 2022-05-12
    historical Under Contract
18. 2022-02-21
    historical
19. 2022-01-07
    listed

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

Tax reassessment forecast IL · Partial reset (capped growth)

• Current annual tax: $2,058 · $171/mo
• Projected year-2 tax: $2,058 · $171/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 1/10 Low
• 🌡 Heat 5/10 Major 7 d/yr ≥107°F today · 21 d/yr by 30 yrs out
• 💨 Wind 2/10 Low 3% 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: $11,446
• − Mortgage interest: −$2,633
• − Property taxes: −$2,058
• − Insurance: −$235
• − Repairs & maintenance: −$916
• − Management: −$916
• − Depreciation: −$1,367
• Taxable income: $3,322
• Est. tax owed @ 24.0%: −$797
• After-tax cash flow: $2,994/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: Carbondale Chsd 165
• NCES district ID: 1708370
• Math proficiency: 26% ▼ -10.00%
• Reading proficiency: 35% ▼ -2.00%
• Median HH income: $22,075
• Composite: 23.92/100
• National rank: #7787
• State rank: #279 of 620 in IL

Livability — Carbondale

• Score: 70/100
• State rank: #375
• US rank: #7806

Category grades

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

Schools grade is shown separately in the Schools card above.

Census & demographics

• Census place: Carbondale, IL
• County: Jackson County · 22,946 people
• City population: 22,946
• Metro: Carbondale-Marion, IL
• Population (ZIP): 22,946
• Household income: $35,089
• Rent vs Own: 70.0% rent · 30.0% own
• Severe rent burden: 2038.0

Population outlook (Jackson County) Hauer SSP2

• Today (2025): 59,093 people
• By 2030: 59,628 · +0.9%
• By 2040: 59,495 · +0.7%
• By 2050: 58,811 · -0.5%
• By 2075: 57,683 · -2.4%
• By 2100: 55,337 · -6.4%

Race, ethnicity, and origin ACS 2023

• Neighborhood character: Diverse neighborhood (Simpson 0.58)
• Race & ethnicity: White 59% Black 26% Asian 6% Hispanic / Latino 5% Two or more races 5%
• Hispanic origin (detail): Mexican 4%
• Common ancestry: Romanian 2% Italian 2% Slovak 2%
• Foreign-born: 9% · Canada, China, South Korea
• Languages at home: 87% English-only · Other Indo-European 4% Spanish 4% Arabic 2%

Political lean MEDSL · Jackson

• 2024 margin: Toss-up / Even · D 51.0% · R 47.5% · Other 1.4%
• 2008→2024 swing: -18.3pp toward R · 2008: 21.8pp · 2024: 3.5pp
• All cycles: 2024: D+3.5 2020: D+1.3 2016: D+3.0 2012: D+10.3 2008: D+21.8

Not yet ingested

• Civics: —

Market trends

• HPI YoY: ▼ -75.62%
• Current HPI: 88.7209
• Rent YoY: ▲ 4.51%
• Metro: Carbondale-Marion, IL
• 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

+27.7% since first listed

19 events — show timeline

• 2026-05-24 Pending — MRED as Distributed by MLS Grid
• 2026-05-24 Pending — MRED as Distributed by MLS Grid
• 2026-05-22 Pending — MRED as Distributed by MLS Grid
• 2026-03-05 Sold (Public Records) $60,000 Public Records
• 2026-03-05 Sold (MLS) $30,000 MRED as Distributed by MLS Grid
• 2026-03-05 Sold (MLS) $30,000 MRED as Distributed by MLS Grid
• 2026-03-05 Sold (MLS) $30,000 MRED as Distributed by MLS Grid
• 2026-03-05 Sold (MLS) $30,000 MRED as Distributed by MLS Grid
• 2026-01-08 Pending — MRED as Distributed by MLS Grid
• 2026-01-05 Listing Removed — MRED as Distributed by MLS Grid
• 2025-11-06 Pending — RMLSA as Distributed by MLS Grid
• 2025-11-05 Listing Removed — RMLSA as Distributed by MLS Grid
• 2025-11-05 Listing Removed — MRED as Distributed by MLS Grid
• 2025-07-01 Listed — RMLSA as Distributed by MLS Grid
• 2025-07-01 Listed $47,000 MRED as Distributed by MLS Grid
• 2023-07-07 Listing Removed — MRED as Distributed by MLS Grid
• 2022-05-12 Contingent — RMLSA as Distributed by MLS Grid
• 2022-02-21 Listing Removed — RMLSA as Distributed by MLS Grid
• 2022-01-07 Listed — RMLSA as Distributed by MLS Grid

Property tax history

-0.6%/yr

Latest (2024): $2,058 · +6.4% YoY. Source: county tax records.