1553 Chambers St · Trenton, NJ 08610

$225,000

3 bd · 1.0 ba · 1,182 sqft · SingleFamily public records · 2 Days on market

Built 1920 1,956 sqft lot Est $297k · 24% under

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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 +17.5/30.0
• ARV discount +15.0/15.0
• DSCR +5.5/10.0
• 1% rule +4.7/10.0
• Livability +3.8/5.0
• Rent growth +2.5/5.0
• Condition / age +2.5/5.0
• Schools +0.7/10.0
• Appreciation +0.0/10.0

Listing remarks

Charming cozy home with 3 bedrooms plus potential to finish the attic for a 4th. Spacious living and dining rooms, eat-in kitchen with access to a lovely deck, and private parking for 2–3 small cars. The semi-finished basement offers ample opportunity to add a family room, office, or playroom. . Call today to schedule your tour.

Key facts

• 2 parking spots
• Built 1920
• Listed 2 days

What this means for you Summary

Snapshot

• This is a 3-bed/1.0-bath single-family listed at $225k.

Deal economics

• At list price, monthly cash flow is $174 ($2k/yr) — positive.
• The deal already cash-flows at list — no discount required.
• To meet the 1% rule (rent ≥ 1% of price), the offer needs to be $219k (2.6% below list).
• Recommended offer: $219k (2.6% below list) — sets the bar for 1% rule.

Location & tenants

• Location reads 76/100 on livability (#133 in NJ, #3,533 nationally) — a middle-class / working-renter tenant base. Strengths: amenities A+, commute A+, health & safety A+; Watch: crime F, employment F.
• Trenton Public School District (urban): math 2% / reading 16% proficiency, ranked #471 of 472 in NJ (top 100%) — low school quality limits family demand, transient renter base, plan for 1-2y turnover; 80% free/reduced lunch — lower-income household profile, screen leases tightly.
• Zoned schools: Franklin Elementary School (math 3% / reading 14%, grade F, #1,261 of 1,303 statewide, top 97%, 349 students, 57% FRL); Dunn Middle School (math 2% / reading 19%, grade F, #424 of 431 statewide, top 98%, 670 students, 60% FRL); Trenton Central High School - Main Campus (math 2% / reading 10%, grade F, #396 of 399 statewide, top 99%, 2,255 students, 56% FRL) — zoned schools average 58% FRL vs 80% district-wide (23 pts lower); this property's tenant base skews higher-income than the district average.
• Market conditions: 118 active listings in the ZIP; 24 comparable units currently listed for rent nearby; rentals at typical pace (median 23d on market — plan ~3-4 weeks tenant-placement turnaround); solid renter incomes; 2,256 units permitted in Mercer County in 2024 (1,303 in 5+ unit buildings).
• This rent runs 31% of the median local income ($84k/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 $2k of loan paydown is wiped out by about $7k of value loss. Plan a longer hold.
• Mercer County population projected at +4% by 2050 — modest demand growth; plan on rents tracking national, not racing it.

Negotiation context

• Only 2 days on market — expect competitive offers; lowballing is unlikely to land.
• Current owner paid $17k; list at $225k implies a 1208% gain — meaningful room to come down on a strong offer.

Risks & watch-outs

• Watch-outs: built in 1920 — expect roof / HVAC / electrical / plumbing capex.
• Climate carrying-cost: major wind risk, 27% chance of damaging wind over 30y; extreme-heat days projected 7→15/yr by 2055 (HVAC capex compounding) — expect insurance premiums to compound above CPI over the hold.

Recommended offer $219,255 (2.6% below list)

Questions for the listing agent

1. Built in 1920 — when were the roof, HVAC, electrical panel, plumbing, and water heater last replaced?
2. Is there a deadline driving the sale (1031 exchange, divorce, estate, relocation)? That informs how much negotiation room exists.
3. Schools are F-rated, which usually means shorter tenancies and higher turnover. Who's the typical renter profile here, and what's been the actual vacancy rate?
4. 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?
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. 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: 0.97% ✗
• Cap rate: 7.22%
• Cash-on-cash: 3.31%
• DSCR: 1.15
• GRM: 8.6

CMA / ARV

• ARV (on-the-fly): $296,682
• Comps found: 12

Show comp detail 12 sales within ~0.75 mi

Address	Dist	Beds/Ba	Sqft	Sold	Price	$/sf	Match
21 Berg Ave	0.19mi	3/1.5	1,270 (+7%)	3mo	$329,900	$260	74
238 Grand Ave	0.31mi	3/2.0	1,224 (+4%)	7mo	$270,000	$221	70
1816 Chambers St	0.22mi	3/1.5	1,279 (+8%)	6mo	$290,000	$227	69
156 Fitzrandolph Ave	0.67mi	3/1.0	1,200 (+2%)	4mo	$310,000	$258	63
44 Jeremiah Ave	0.68mi	3/1.0	1,108 (-6%)	7mo	$325,000	$293	52
529 Hunt Ave	0.53mi	4/2.0 (+1)	1,279 (+8%)	3mo	$300,000	$235	50
121 Mcclellan Ave	0.46mi	4/2.0 (+1)	1,040 (-12%)	2mo	$280,000	$269	48
1521 S Clinton Ave	0.37mi	4/1.5 (+1)	1,348 (+14%)	6mo	$208,000	$154	48
811 Anderson St	0.55mi	2/1.0 (-1)	1,026 (-13%)	0mo	$206,000	$201	47
624 Hunt Ave	0.60mi	3/2.0	1,314 (+11%)	7mo	$330,000	$251	43
19 Benton Rd	0.71mi	3/1.0	1,008 (-15%)	0mo	$335,000	$332	42
637 E Park Ave	0.63mi	3/1.0	1,015 (-14%)	7mo	$200,000	$197	41

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 · 3.0% rent growth · sell at horizon

5-year hold

• IRR: -11.1%
• Equity multiple: 0.60×
• Total profit: $-25,358
• Equity at exit: $33,548

10-year hold

• IRR: -1.8%
• Equity multiple: 0.88×
• Total profit: $-7,688
• Equity at exit: $19,454

Cash invested: $63,000 (down + closing). Projections, not guarantees.

Landlord ↔ Tenant lean methodology

• Overall (STATE): 21 Tenant-Leaning
• State New Jersey: 21 Tenant-Leaning · D+6
• County: — inherits STATE
• City: — inherits STATE

Anti-eviction Act requires just-cause statewide; rent control in 100+ municipalities; one of the most tenant-friendly states.

Methodology + full state rankings →

ZIP-level market 08610

• Active inventory: 118
• Price-to-rent: 8.6×

Monthly cashflow live

• Estimated rent: $2,193 high
• Mortgage (P&I): −$1,180
• Tax from tax record: −$285 /mo · $3,416/yr
• Insurance: −$94
• HOA: −$0
• Vacancy / Maint / Mgmt: −$460
• Net cashflow: $174

Break-even live

Break-even rent $1,973

Max offer price $225,000

Occupancy floor 87%

Sensitivity live

Price	-10% $301	-5% $237	+0% $174	+5% $110	+10% $46
Rent	-10% $1	-5% $87	+0% $174	+5% $260	+10% $347
Rate	-1.0pp $287	-0.5pp $231	base $174	+0.5pp $115	+1.0pp $56

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: $56,250
• Closing costs: $6,750
• Reserves months: —
• Total cash needed: —

Rent comps 24 comps

Address	Beds	Baths	Sqft	Rent	$/sqft	DOM	Units	Dist
1132 Genesee St Unit 1132 Trenton, NJ	3.0	1.0	1198	$2,500	$2.09	23d	1	0.22mi
1078 Lalor St Unit 1 Trenton, NJ	2.0	1.0	1488	$1,895	$1.27	23d	1	0.24mi
1078 Lalor St Unit 2 Trenton, NJ	2.0	1.0	1488	$1,785	$1.20	23d	1	0.24mi
1049 Genesee St Trenton, NJ	3.0	1.0	1270	$2,300	$1.81	23d	1	0.28mi
837 Genesee St Trenton, NJ	2.0	1.0	850	$1,700	$2.00	23d	1	0.43mi
233 Virginia Ave Trenton, NJ	3.0	1.0	1302	$2,500	$1.92	14d	1	0.58mi
705 Anderson St Trenton, NJ	3.0	1.0	1132	$1,800	$1.59	15d	1	0.59mi
1103 Division St Trenton, NJ	4.0	1.0	1296	$2,000	$1.54	23d	1	0.65mi
315 Wert Ave Trenton, NJ	2.0	1.0	685	$2,270	$3.31	14d	9	0.72mi
313 Home Ave Trenton, NJ	3.0	1.0	1112	$2,100	$1.89	15d	1	0.83mi
225 Home Ave Trenton, NJ	2.0	1.0	800	$1,750	$2.19	23d	1	0.88mi
176 Division St Apt 106 Trenton, NJ	2.0	1.0	975	$1,700	$1.74	23d	1	0.89mi
244 Jersey St Trenton, NJ	3.0	1.5	1368	$2,300	$1.68	15d	1	0.93mi
121 Columbus Ave Trenton, NJ	3.0	1.0	1050	$1,900	$1.81	23d	1	1.00mi
203 Genesee St Unit 2 Trenton, NJ	2.0	1.0	1452	$1,700	$1.17	23d	1	1.03mi
635 Chambers St Trenton, NJ	4.0	2.0	1312	$2,500	$1.91	15d	1	1.05mi
720 Monmouth St Unit 204 Trenton, NJ	2.0	1.0	1011	$1,750	$1.73	23d	1	1.20mi
71 Clark St Trenton, NJ	1.0–2.0	1.0–2.0	975	$2,350	$2.41	15d	4	1.30mi
428 Cleveland Ave Trenton, NJ	4.0	2.0	1400	$2,500	$1.79	23d	1	1.33mi
547 Centre St Trenton, NJ	3.0	1.0	1060	$1,850	$1.75	23d	1	1.34mi
12A Bradford Ave Hamilton Township, NJ	1.0–2.0	1.0	825	$2,300	$2.79	14d	1	1.43mi
339 Tioga St #339 Trenton, NJ	2.0	1.0	864	$1,850	$2.14	23d	1	1.46mi
105 Walnut Ave Unit 1 Trenton, NJ	2.0	1.0	1200	$2,000	$1.67	23d	1	1.47mi
210 Kuser Rd Trenton, NJ	3.0	1.5	1360	$2,700	$1.99	23d	1	1.49mi

Listing history 5 events

1. 2026-04-14
   status Pending
2. 2026-03-24
   historical Active Under Contract
3. 2026-03-23
   listed $225,000 Active
4. 2026-03-18
   historical $225,000
5. 1976-07-07
   soldstatus $17,200

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

Tax reassessment forecast NJ · Partial reset (capped growth)

• Current annual tax: $3,416 · $285/mo
• Projected year-2 tax: $4,509 · $376/mo
• Expected delta: +$1,093/yr (+$91/mo · 32.0%)

ⓘ 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 6/10 Major 7 d/yr ≥102°F today · 15 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 · 8 by 30 yrs out

Taxation est. · year 1

• Rental income: $26,311
• − Mortgage interest: −$12,603
• − Property taxes: −$3,416
• − Insurance: −$1,125
• − Repairs & maintenance: −$2,105
• − Management: −$2,105
• − Depreciation: −$6,545
• Taxable loss: −$1,589
• Est. tax savings @ 24.0%: +$381
• After-tax cash flow: $2,466/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: Trenton Public School District
• NCES district ID: 3416290
• Math proficiency: 2% ▼ -8.00%
• Reading proficiency: 16% ▼ -4.00%
• Median HH income: $35,078
• Composite: 7.31/100
• National rank: #9956
• State rank: #471 of 472 in NJ

Livability — Trenton

• Score: 76/100
• State rank: #133
• US rank: #3533

Category grades

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

Schools grade is shown separately in the Schools card above.

Census & demographics

• Census place: Trenton, NJ
• County: Mercer County · 327,655 people
• City population: 177,819
• Metro: Trenton-Princeton, NJ
• Population (ZIP): 33,465
• Household income: $83,906
• Rent vs Own: 34.0% rent · 66.0% own
• Severe rent burden: 1166.0

Population outlook (Mercer County) Hauer SSP2

• Today (2025): 381,395 people
• By 2030: 384,640 · +0.9%
• By 2040: 391,431 · +2.6%
• By 2050: 397,845 · +4.3%
• By 2075: 417,281 · +9.4%
• By 2100: 420,327 · +10.2%

Race, ethnicity, and origin ACS 2023

• Neighborhood character: Diverse neighborhood (Simpson 0.65)
• Race & ethnicity: Hispanic / Latino 43% White 39% Black 15% Two or more races 13% Asian 3%
• Hispanic origin (detail): Puerto Rican 12% Dominican 9%
• Common ancestry: Romanian 5% Hispanic 3% Italian 1%
• Foreign-born: 25% · Canada, Jamaica, Guatemala
• Languages at home: 55% English-only · Spanish 37% French/Haitian/Cajun 3% Other Indo-European 1%

Political lean MEDSL · Mercer

• 2024 margin: Solid D (+33.9) · D 65.9% · R 32.0% · Other 2.1%
• 2008→2024 swing: -2.2pp toward R · 2008: 36.1pp · 2024: 33.9pp
• All cycles: 2024: D+33.9 2020: D+40.0 2016: D+36.2 2012: D+36.8 2008: D+36.1

Not yet ingested

• Civics: —

Market trends

• HPI YoY: ▼ -412.61%
• Current HPI: 296.6642
• Rent YoY: —
• Metro: Trenton-Princeton, NJ
• State GDP YoY: ▲ 2.05%
• F500 in state: 34

Industry mix (Fortune 500 HQ in NJ)

Industry	F500 HQs	Revenue
▸Consumer Goods	3	$31B
▸Pharmaceuticals	2	$153B
▸Technology	2	$21B
▸Insurance	2	$20B
▸Healthcare	2	$19B
▸Financial Services	1	$70B

Price history

+1208.1% since first listed

5 events — show timeline

• 2026-04-14 Pending — BRIGHT MLS
• 2026-03-24 Contingent — BRIGHT MLS
• 2026-03-23 Listed $225,000 BRIGHT MLS
• 2026-03-18 Coming Soon $225,000 BRIGHT MLS
• 1976-07-07 Sold (Public Records) $17,200 Public Records

Property tax history

+0.6%/yr

Latest (2025): $3,416 · +1.5% YoY. Source: county tax records.