5052 Darlene Dr · Clay, AL 35126

$204,900

3 bd · 2.0 ba · 1,166 sqft · SingleFamily public records · 269 Days on market

Built 1977 0.98 ac lot $176/sqft · 72% above area Est $238k · 14% under

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Why this score? — see what drove the D 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).

• ARV discount +13.8/15.0
• Cash flow +11.7/30.0
• Livability +3.8/5.0
• DSCR +3.5/10.0
• Rent growth +2.9/5.0
• Condition / age +2.5/5.0
• 1% rule +2.2/10.0
• Schools +1.8/10.0
• Appreciation +0.0/10.0

Listing remarks MLS

Charming 3 bedroom 2 full bath home in Pinson with a large, fenced back yard. It also has a large covered screened in porch overlooking inground pool and the back yard. Ceiling fans in living room and bedrooms. Also has a full basement / garage just in case you may need more room to finish part of it out, or like a nice workshop! Seller works from home so must have appointment for showings. Clay-Chalkville schools, just a few minutes from the I-59 exit in Trussville! Pool is in need of some concrete repairs and a new liner.

Key facts

• Fenced back yard
• Full basement
• Inground pool

Tags

• FENCED BACK YARD
• COVERED SCREENED IN PORCH
• INGROUND POOL
• FULL BASEMENT

What this means for you Summary

Snapshot

• This is a 3-bed/2.0-bath single-family listed at $205k.

Deal economics

• At list price, monthly cash flow is $-114 ($-1k/yr) — negative.
• To cash-flow at today's rent, offer at most $185k (9.8% below list).
• To meet the 1% rule (rent ≥ 1% of price), the offer needs to be $147k (28.1% below list).
• Recommended offer: $147k (28.1% below list) — sets the bar for 1% rule.
• Cap rate 6.0% vs local median 4.7% in Clay — meaningfully above typical; check what's discounted (condition, days-on-market, listing class) to confirm the premium yield is real.

Location & tenants

• Location reads 75/100 on livability (#16 in AL, #3,849 nationally) — a middle-class / working-renter tenant base. Strengths: cost of living A+, housing A+, employment A-; Watch: amenities F, commute F.
• Jefferson County (suburban): math 9% / reading 32% proficiency, ranked #104 of 129 in AL (top 81%) — low school quality limits family demand, transient renter base, plan for 1-2y turnover.
• Zoned schools: Chalkville Elementary School (math 6% / reading 16%, grade F, #560 of 627 statewide, top 90%, 854 students, 79% FRL); Claychalkville Middle School (math 2% / reading 26%, grade F, #209 of 257 statewide, top 82%, 1,032 students, 64% FRL); Claychalkville High School (math 6% / reading 9%, grade F, #261 of 305 statewide, top 87%, 1,361 students, 56% FRL) — zoned schools average 66% FRL vs 49% district-wide (18 pts higher); higher-poverty schools than district average — tighter screening recommended.
• Market conditions: Rents rising (+1.6%/yr); 183 active listings in the ZIP; 29 comparable units currently listed for rent nearby; rentals at typical pace (median 25d on market — plan ~3-4 weeks tenant-placement turnaround); 41% of comp listings sitting > 30 days — soft ceiling on asking rent; solid renter incomes; 2,114 units permitted in Jefferson County in 2024 (556 in 5+ unit buildings).

Forward outlook

• Local home prices are declining (-3.0%/yr); year-one equity from $1k of loan paydown is wiped out by about $6k of value loss. Plan a longer hold.
• Jefferson County population projected to shrink 4% by 2050 — rents likely to lag national; underwrite the cash flow, not the appreciation.

Negotiation context

• It's been on market 269 days — a 12% lower offer ($180k) is reasonable based on typical stale-listing flexibility.
• Current owner paid $130k; list at $205k implies a 58% gain — meaningful room to come down on a strong offer.

Risks & watch-outs

• Watch-outs: flood insurance adds $56/mo.
• Climate carrying-cost: severe flood risk; major wind risk, 27% chance of damaging wind over 30y; extreme-heat days projected 7→19/yr by 2055 (HVAC capex compounding) — expect insurance premiums to compound above CPI over the hold.

Recommended offer $147,361 (28.1% below list)

Questions for the listing agent

1. 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?
2. It's been on market 269 days. Have you received any prior offers? Is the seller open to a 28% concession, seller financing, or rate buy-down credit?
3. Built in 1977 — when were the roof, HVAC, electrical panel, plumbing, and water heater last replaced?
4. What's the actual annual flood-insurance premium (NFIP or private), and is the property in a SFHA with mandatory coverage?
5. Why hasn't it sold? Are there any deal-killer items the seller is aware of (foundation, flood, title, zoning, code violations)?
6. Is there a deadline driving the sale (1031 exchange, divorce, estate, relocation)? That informs how much negotiation room exists.
7. The area grade is low — what's the realistic commute time and amenity access for the typical tenant pool here? Any planned neighborhood developments (good or bad) we should know about?
8. 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.
9. 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.
10. 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: 0.72% ✗
• Cap rate: 5.95%
• Cash-on-cash: -1.22%
• DSCR: 0.95
• GRM: 11.6

CMA / ARV

• ARV (median comp): $238,112
• List price: $204,900
• Delta: -13.95%
• Verdict: UNDERPRICED
• Comps: 20 within 1.0 mi

Show comp detail 12 sales within ~0.75 mi

Address	Dist	Beds/Ba	Sqft	Sold	Price	$/sf	Match
5370 Tyler Loop Rd	0.25mi	3/1.5	1,125 (-4%)	8mo	$146,000	$130	74
5290 Baggett Dr	0.11mi	3/1.5	1,278 (+10%)	5mo	$170,000	$133	72
5079 Darlene Dr	0.05mi	4/1.5 (+1)	1,296 (+11%)	3mo	$198,000	$153	70
4488 Winchester Hills Way	0.57mi	3/2.0	1,165 (-0%)	10mo	$225,000	$193	65
4956 Kerri Ln	0.31mi	3/2.0	1,300 (+12%)	2mo	$219,267	$169	65
4961 Kerri Ln	0.24mi	3/2.0	1,302 (+12%)	10mo	$247,900	$190	61
4989 Kerri Ln	0.22mi	3/2.0	1,302 (+12%)	12mo	$249,900	$192	60
4981 Kerri Ln	0.25mi	3/2.0	1,302 (+12%)	14mo	$249,900	$192	58
5026 Curtis Dr	0.62mi	3/2.0	1,126 (-3%)	12mo	$200,000	$178	56
2425 Glenmore Ct	0.68mi	3/2.0	1,230 (+6%)	6mo	$209,900	$171	54
2412 Glenmore Ct	0.72mi	3/2.0	1,326 (+14%)	2mo	$203,000	$153	42
4445 Winchester Hills Way	0.63mi	4/2.0 (+1)	1,330 (+14%)	9mo	$195,000	$147	35

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 · 1.61% rent growth · sell at horizon

5-year hold

• IRR: -21.7%
• Equity multiple: 0.26×
• Total profit: $-42,558
• Equity at exit: $30,551

10-year hold

• IRR: -18.8%
• Equity multiple: 0.05×
• Total profit: $-54,774
• Equity at exit: $17,716

Cash invested: $57,372 (down + closing). Projections, not guarantees.

Landlord ↔ Tenant lean methodology

• Overall (STATE): 90 Strongly Landlord-Friendly
• State Alabama: 90 Strongly Landlord-Friendly · R+15
• County: — inherits STATE
• City: — inherits STATE

Right-to-evict in 7 days for non-payment; no rent control; preempted statewide; courts move quickly.

Methodology + full state rankings →

ZIP-level market 35126

• Home prices YoY: -22.4%
• Rents YoY: 1.6%
• Active inventory: 183
• Price-to-rent: 11.6×

Monthly cashflow live

• Estimated rent: $1,474 high
• Mortgage (P&I): −$1,075
• Tax from tax record: −$63 /mo · $753/yr
• Insurance: −$85
• Flood insurance flood zone: −$56 /mo · $666/yr
• HOA: −$0
• Vacancy / Maint / Mgmt: −$309
• Net cashflow: $-114

Break-even live

Break-even rent $1,618

Max offer price $184,762

Occupancy floor —

Sensitivity live

Price	-10% $2	-5% $-56	+0% $-114	+5% $-172	+10% $-230
Rent	-10% $-230	-5% $-172	+0% $-114	+5% $-56	+10% $2
Rate	-1.0pp $-11	-0.5pp $-62	base $-114	+0.5pp $-167	+1.0pp $-221

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: $51,225
• Closing costs: $6,147
• Reserves months: —
• Total cash needed: —

Rent comps 29 comps

Address	Beds	Baths	Sqft	Rent	$/sqft	DOM	Units	Dist
2504 Beechwood Trl Pinson, AL	3.0	2.0	1359	$1,435	$1.06	23d	1	0.50mi
2415 Ormond Dr Center Point, AL	3.0	1.5	1194	$1,295	$1.08	45d	1	0.61mi
4464 Winchester Hills Way Birmingham, AL	3.0	2.0	1178	$1,750	$1.49	45d	1	0.61mi
4464 Winchester Hills Ln Pinson, AL	3.0	2.0	1500	$1,750	$1.17	12d	1	0.62mi
1104 Oak Creek Trl NE Birmingham, AL	3.0	2.0	1233	$1,543	$1.25	3d	1	0.84mi
5764 Desoto Dr Pinson, AL	3.0	1.5	1104	$1,225	$1.11	3d	1	0.91mi
2708 7th St NE Center Point, AL	3.0	1.0	1451	$1,150	$0.79	45d	1	0.97mi
2358 Grayson Valley Cir Birmingham, AL	3.0	3.0	1320	$1,503	$1.14	12d	1	0.97mi
2350 Grayson Valley Cir Birmingham, AL	3.0	2.5	1380	$1,595	$1.16	45d	1	0.99mi
2345 Grayson Valley Cir Birmingham, AL	2.0	1.5	1056	$1,150	$1.09	4d	1	1.03mi
2561 Gaylon St Birmingham, AL	3.0	1.5	1318	$1,345	$1.02	23d	1	1.04mi
2025 Brewster Rd Birmingham, AL	3.0	2.0	1369	$1,450	$1.06	25d	1	1.09mi
2258 Cheshire Dr Birmingham, AL	2.0	2.0	1152	$1,050	$0.91	45d	1	1.13mi
5528 Saint James St Birmingham, AL	2.0	1.5	1072	$1,150	$1.07	45d	1	1.18mi
2463 Hampstead Dr Birmingham, AL	2.0	1.5	1100	$1,127	$1.02	4d	1	1.20mi
5531 Saint James St Birmingham, AL	2.0	1.5	1072	$950	$0.89	45d	1	1.21mi
1817 Lyle Dr Birmingham, AL	4.0	2.0	1361	$1,605	$1.18	25d	1	1.24mi
1814 Valley Run Cir Birmingham, AL	3.0	1.0	1025	$1,350	$1.32	45d	1	1.24mi
2487 Hampstead Dr Birmingham, AL	2.0	1.5	1163	$995	$0.86	4d	1	1.27mi
856 Parkbrook Trl Birmingham, AL	1.0–3.0	1.0–2.0	925	$1,180	$1.28	3d	10	1.28mi
2524 Daly Dr Birmingham, AL	3.0	2.0	1080	$1,565	$1.45	45d	1	1.32mi
2249 4th Place Cir NE Center Point, AL	3.0	1.5	1400	$1,400	$1.00	45d	1	1.33mi
5944 Tyler Loop Rd Pinson, AL	3.0	2.0	1247	$1,485	$1.19	25d	1	1.35mi
2537 3rd St NE Center Point, AL	3.0	2.0	1040	$1,350	$1.30	25d	1	1.36mi
2543 Hampstead Dr Birmingham, AL	2.0	2.5	1272	$1,123	$0.88	25d	1	1.36mi
332 23rd Ave NE Center Point, AL	3.0	1.0	1100	$1,350	$1.23	4d	1	1.44mi
3309 Chase Ln Unit 3309 Birmingham, AL	2.0	2.0	1068	$1,000	$0.94	45d	1	1.46mi
2629 Wood Dr NE Center Point, AL	3.0	1.0	1203	$1,250	$1.04	45d	1	1.47mi
509 20th Ave NE Center Point, AL	3.0	1.5	1008	$1,200	$1.19	25d	1	1.50mi

Listing history 24 events

1. 2026-06-22
   days on market $204,900 Active 269 DOM
2. 2026-06-18
   days on market $204,900 Active 266 DOM
3. 2026-06-17
   days on market $204,900 Active 265 DOM
4. 2026-06-16
   days on market $204,900 Active 264 DOM
5. 2026-06-15
   days on market $204,900 Active 263 DOM
6. 2026-06-13
   days on market $204,900 Active 261 DOM
7. 2026-06-10
   days on market $204,900 Active 258 DOM
8. 2026-06-09
   days on market $204,900 Active 257 DOM
9. 2026-06-08
   days on market $204,900 Active 256 DOM
10. 2026-06-07
    days on market $204,900 Active 255 DOM
11. 2026-06-03
    days on market $204,900 Active 251 DOM
12. 2026-06-02
    days on market $204,900 Active 250 DOM
13. 2026-06-01
    days on market $204,900 Active 249 DOM
14. 2026-05-31
    days on market $204,900 Active 248 DOM
15. 2026-05-18
    price $197,500 529-char remark

    Show marketing remark (529 chars)

    Charming 3 bedroom 2 full bath home in Pinson with a large, fenced back yard. It also has a large covered screened in porch overlooking inground pool and the back yard. Ceiling fans in living room and bedrooms. Also has a full basement / garage just in case you may need more room to finish part of it out, or like a nice workshop! Seller works from home so must have appointment for showings. Clay-Chalkville schools, just a few minutes from the I-59 exit in Trussville! Pool is in need of some concrete repairs and a new liner.

16. 2026-04-27
    price $184,900 529-char remark

    Show marketing remark (529 chars)

    Charming 3 bedroom 2 full bath home in Pinson with a large, fenced back yard. It also has a large covered screened in porch overlooking inground pool and the back yard. Ceiling fans in living room and bedrooms. Also has a full basement / garage just in case you may need more room to finish part of it out, or like a nice workshop! Seller works from home so must have appointment for showings. Clay-Chalkville schools, just a few minutes from the I-59 exit in Trussville! Pool is in need of some concrete repairs and a new liner.

17. 2026-04-17
    price $187,900 529-char remark

    Show marketing remark (529 chars)

    Charming 3 bedroom 2 full bath home in Pinson with a large, fenced back yard. It also has a large covered screened in porch overlooking inground pool and the back yard. Ceiling fans in living room and bedrooms. Also has a full basement / garage just in case you may need more room to finish part of it out, or like a nice workshop! Seller works from home so must have appointment for showings. Clay-Chalkville schools, just a few minutes from the I-59 exit in Trussville! Pool is in need of some concrete repairs and a new liner.

18. 2026-04-06
    price $189,900 529-char remark

    Show marketing remark (529 chars)

    Charming 3 bedroom 2 full bath home in Pinson with a large, fenced back yard. It also has a large covered screened in porch overlooking inground pool and the back yard. Ceiling fans in living room and bedrooms. Also has a full basement / garage just in case you may need more room to finish part of it out, or like a nice workshop! Seller works from home so must have appointment for showings. Clay-Chalkville schools, just a few minutes from the I-59 exit in Trussville! Pool is in need of some concrete repairs and a new liner.

19. 2026-03-04
    price $199,900 529-char remark

    Show marketing remark (529 chars)

    Charming 3 bedroom 2 full bath home in Pinson with a large, fenced back yard. It also has a large covered screened in porch overlooking inground pool and the back yard. Ceiling fans in living room and bedrooms. Also has a full basement / garage just in case you may need more room to finish part of it out, or like a nice workshop! Seller works from home so must have appointment for showings. Clay-Chalkville schools, just a few minutes from the I-59 exit in Trussville! Pool is in need of some concrete repairs and a new liner.

20. 2026-02-17
    price $204,900 529-char remark

    Show marketing remark (529 chars)

    Charming 3 bedroom 2 full bath home in Pinson with a large, fenced back yard. It also has a large covered screened in porch overlooking inground pool and the back yard. Ceiling fans in living room and bedrooms. Also has a full basement / garage just in case you may need more room to finish part of it out, or like a nice workshop! Seller works from home so must have appointment for showings. Clay-Chalkville schools, just a few minutes from the I-59 exit in Trussville! Pool is in need of some concrete repairs and a new liner.

21. 2025-09-22
    listed $219,900 Active 529-char remark

    Show marketing remark (529 chars)

    Charming 3 bedroom 2 full bath home in Pinson with a large, fenced back yard. It also has a large covered screened in porch overlooking inground pool and the back yard. Ceiling fans in living room and bedrooms. Also has a full basement / garage just in case you may need more room to finish part of it out, or like a nice workshop! Seller works from home so must have appointment for showings. Clay-Chalkville schools, just a few minutes from the I-59 exit in Trussville! Pool is in need of some concrete repairs and a new liner.

22. 2006-09-26
    soldstatus $129,900
23. 1993-03-17
    soldstatus $65,000
24. 1990-09-01
    soldstatus $65,000

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

Tax reassessment forecast AL · Resets to sale price

• Current annual tax: $753 · $63/mo
• Projected year-2 tax: $840 · $70/mo
• Expected delta: +$88/yr (+$7/mo · 11.6%)

ⓘ Screening estimate from a state-policy table — verify with the county assessor before closing.

Climate risk First Street

• 🌊 Flood 9/10 Extreme FEMA zone X (unshaded) · 99% chance over 30 yrs
• 🔥 Wildfire 3/10 Moderate
• 🌡 Heat 5/10 Major 7 d/yr ≥105°F today · 19 d/yr by 30 yrs out
• 💨 Wind 6/10 Major 27% chance of damaging wind over 30 yrs
• 🫁 Air quality 5/10 Major 6 unhealthy d/yr today · 11 by 30 yrs out

Taxation est. · year 1

• Rental income: $17,683
• − Mortgage interest: −$11,478
• − Property taxes: −$753
• − Insurance: −$1,691
• − Repairs & maintenance: −$1,415
• − Management: −$1,415
• − Depreciation: −$5,961
• Taxable loss: −$5,028
• Est. tax savings @ 24.0%: +$1,207
• After-tax cash flow: $-161/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: Jefferson County
• NCES district ID: 0101920
• Math proficiency: 9% ▼ -24.00%
• Reading proficiency: 32% ▼ -5.00%
• Median HH income: $51,712
• Composite: 18.4/100
• National rank: #8937
• State rank: #104 of 129 in AL

Livability — Clay

• Score: 75/100
• State rank: #16
• US rank: #3849

Category grades

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

Schools grade is shown separately in the Schools card above.

Census & demographics

• Census place: Clay, AL
• County: Jefferson County · 527,445 people
• Metro: Birmingham-Hoover, AL
• Population (ZIP): 22,599
• Household income: $83,732
• Rent vs Own: 14.6% rent · 85.4% own
• Severe rent burden: 267.0

Population outlook (Jefferson County) Hauer SSP2

• Today (2025): 669,185 people
• By 2030: 669,694 · +0.1%
• By 2040: 661,388 · -1.2%
• By 2050: 643,086 · -3.9%
• By 2075: 577,267 · -13.7%
• By 2100: 474,758 · -29.1%

Race, ethnicity, and origin ACS 2023

• Neighborhood character: Diverse neighborhood (Simpson 0.58)
• Race & ethnicity: White 58% Black 28% Hispanic / Latino 8% Two or more races 7% Asian 2%
• Hispanic origin (detail): Mexican 5% Puerto Rican 1%
• Common ancestry: Slovak 2% Lithuanian 1% Italian 1%
• Foreign-born: 5% · Canada, China, Jamaica
• Languages at home: 92% English-only · Spanish 5% Vietnamese 1% Chinese 0%

Political lean MEDSL · Jefferson

• 2024 margin: D (+10.4) · D 54.6% · R 44.2% · Other 1.2%
• 2008→2024 swing: +5.4pp toward D · 2008: 5.1pp · 2024: 10.4pp
• All cycles: 2024: D+10.4 2020: D+13.2 2016: D+7.2 2012: D+6.0 2008: D+5.1

Not yet ingested

• Civics: —

Market trends

• HPI YoY: ▼ -54.52%
• Current HPI: 188.6439
• Rent YoY: ▲ 1.61%
• Metro: Birmingham-Hoover, AL
• State GDP YoY: ▲ 2.94%
• F500 in state: 4

Industry mix (Fortune 500 HQ in AL)

Industry	F500 HQs	Revenue
▸Financial Services	1	$8B
▸Healthcare	1	$5B

Price history

+203.8% since first listed

10 events — show timeline

• 2026-05-18 Price Changed $197,500 Greater Alabama MLS
• 2026-04-27 Price Changed $184,900 Greater Alabama MLS
• 2026-04-17 Price Changed $187,900 Greater Alabama MLS
• 2026-04-06 Price Changed $189,900 Greater Alabama MLS
• 2026-03-04 Price Changed $199,900 Greater Alabama MLS
• 2026-02-17 Price Changed $204,900 Greater Alabama MLS
• 2025-09-22 Listed $219,900 Greater Alabama MLS
• 2006-09-26 Sold (Public Records) $129,900 Public Records
• 1993-03-17 Sold (Public Records) $65,000 Public Records
• 1990-09-01 Sold (Public Records) $65,000 Public Records

Property tax history

+3.2%/yr

Latest (2021): $753 · +0.0% YoY. Source: county tax records.