231 Briarwood Trl

Monroe, MI 48161

$49,990C+

3 bd · 2.0 ba · 1,680 sqft · Built 1990 · SingleFamily · Active · 204 DOM

Cashflow @ list (25.0% down · 7.5%)

• Estimated rent: $1,409/mo
• Mortgage (P&I): −$262
• Tax + insurance: −$83
• HOA: −$635
• Vac / Maint / Mgmt: −$296
• Net cashflow: $132/mo
• Annual: $1,587/yr
• Cap rate: 9.47%
• Cash-on-cash: 11.34%
• DSCR: 1.50
• 1% rule: 2.82%
• Cash to close: $13,997

Investor read

• This is a 3-bed/2.0-bath single-family listed at $50k. Condition is rated fair.
• At list price, monthly cash flow is $132 ($2k/yr) — positive.
• The deal already cash-flows at list — no discount required.
• Meets the 1% rule at list price ($1k rent vs $50k).
• It's been on market 204 days — a 12% lower offer ($44k) is reasonable based on typical stale-listing flexibility.
• Recommended offer: $44k (12.0% below list) — sets the bar for market timing.
• Local home prices are declining (-3.0%/yr); year-one equity from $346 of loan paydown is wiped out by about $2k of value loss. Plan a longer hold.
• Location reads 83/100 on livability (#51 in MI, #1,034 nationally) — a professional / high-income tenant draw. Strengths: commute A+, cost of living A+, housing A+; Watch: employment C-, crime D+, amenities D+.
• Monroe Public Schools (suburban): math 24% / reading 47% proficiency, ranked #278 of 540 in MI (top 52%) — families likely to look elsewhere, expect single-tenant / working-renter base with shorter leases.
• Zoned schools: Custer Elementary School (math 10% / reading 30%, grade F, #1,083 of 1,397 statewide, top 78%, 741 students, 69% FRL); Monroe Middle School (math 34% / reading 64%, grade C, #127 of 493 statewide, top 26%, 653 students, 66% FRL); Monroe High School (math 25% / reading 48%, grade F, #364 of 713 statewide, top 51%, 1,304 students, 52% FRL).
• Watch-outs: HOA is 45% of rent.
• Market conditions: 154 active listings in the ZIP; 1 comparable units currently listed for rent nearby; 264 units permitted in Monroe County in 2024 (40 in 5+ unit buildings).
• Monroe County population projected at -20% by 2050 — secular population decline; favor cash flow + early exit over multi-decade hold.
• 2 sale attempts; this cycle's ask has dropped $10k (17%) from the opening price — seller is motivated, your offer sets the floor, not the list.
• At projected returns (-3.0% appreciation + 3.0% rent growth), your $14k cash investment doubles in ~10 years — after that, you're playing with house money.
• Cap rate 9.5% vs local median 4.0% in Monroe — 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.

Questions for listing agent

• It's been on market 204 days. Have you received any prior offers? Is the seller open to a 12% concession, seller financing, or rate buy-down credit?
• Have any recent inspections been done? Can we get a copy of the seller's disclosures and any deferred-maintenance estimates?
• What does the HOA fee cover, when was the last increase, and are there any pending special assessments or reserve-fund shortfalls?
• 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.
• 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?
• 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?
• 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.

Repairs flagged (vision-AI assessment)

• Major: siding — Severe weathering and peeling
• Major: paint — Peeling and worn paint
• Major: flooring — Worn carpet in living areas
• Major: interior walls — Worn paint, peeling in some areas