1389 Fulton Ave · Tarrant, AL 35217

$76,560

3 bd · 2.0 ba · 1,614 sqft · SingleFamily public records · 50 Days on market

Built 1958 7,230 sqft lot Est $107k · 28% under ↓ 6% since listing

---

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
• ARV discount +15.0/15.0
• 1% rule +10.0/10.0
• DSCR +10.0/10.0
• Rent growth +3.4/5.0
• Livability +2.6/5.0
• Condition / age +2.5/5.0
• Schools +0.8/10.0
• Appreciation +0.0/10.0

Listing remarks MLS

Discover timeless charm and endless potential in this delightful mid-century cottage nestled in the heart of Tarrant, just minutes from vibrant downtown Birmingham! At 1389 Fulton Ave, you'll find a welcoming 4 bedroom, 1.5 bath retreat spanning over 1,600 sq ft perfectly poised for modern living, savvy investing, or a cozy family haven.

Key facts

• 7,230 sq ft lot
• Built 1958
• Listed 50 days

What this means for you Summary

Snapshot

• This is a 3-bed/2.0-bath single-family listed at $77k.

Deal economics

• At list price, monthly cash flow is $474 ($6k/yr) — positive.
• The deal already cash-flows at list — no discount required.
• Meets the 1% rule at list price ($1k rent vs $77k).
• Recommended offer: $74k (3.0% below list) — sets the bar for market timing.
• Cap rate 13.7% vs local median 11.0% in Tarrant — meaningfully above typical; check what's discounted (condition, days-on-market, listing class) to confirm the premium yield is real.

Location & tenants

• Location reads 51/100 on livability (#507 in AL) — a working-class tenant base; expect higher turnover. Strengths: cost of living A+, housing A+; Watch: crime C-, schools F, amenities F.
• Tarrant City (suburban): math 4% / reading 17% proficiency, ranked #121 of 129 in AL (top 94%) — low school quality limits family demand, transient renter base, plan for 1-2y turnover; 89% free/reduced lunch — lower-income household profile, screen leases tightly.
• Market conditions: Rents rising (+3.6%/yr); 94 active listings in the ZIP; 33 comparable units currently listed for rent nearby; rentals at typical pace (median 24d on market — plan ~3-4 weeks tenant-placement turnaround); 48% of comp listings sitting > 30 days — soft ceiling on asking rent; lower-income renter base — watch delinquency; 2,114 units permitted in Jefferson County in 2024 (556 in 5+ unit buildings).
• This rent runs 36% of the median local income ($40k/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 $529 of loan paydown is wiped out by about $2k 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.
• At projected returns (-3.0% appreciation + 3.6% rent growth), your $21k cash investment doubles in ~5 years — after that, you're playing with house money.

Negotiation context

• It's been on market 50 days — a 3% lower offer ($74k) is reasonable based on typical stale-listing flexibility.
• 4 sale attempts since 13y ago; this cycle's ask has dropped $10k (12%) from the opening price — seller is motivated, your offer sets the floor, not the list.

Risks & watch-outs

• Watch-outs: built in 1958 — expect roof / HVAC / electrical / plumbing capex.
• Climate carrying-cost: 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 $74,263 (3.0% below list)

Questions for the listing agent

1. It's been on market 50 days. Have you received any prior offers? Is the seller open to a 3% concession, seller financing, or rate buy-down credit?
2. Built in 1958 — when were the roof, HVAC, electrical panel, plumbing, and water heater last replaced?
3. Is there a deadline driving the sale (1031 exchange, divorce, estate, relocation)? That informs how much negotiation room exists.
4. 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?
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: 1.59% ✓
• Cap rate: 13.73%
• Cash-on-cash: 26.55%
• DSCR: 2.18
• GRM: 5.3

CMA / ARV

• ARV (on-the-fly): $106,524
• Comps found: 12

Show comp detail 12 sales within ~0.75 mi

Address	Dist	Beds/Ba	Sqft	Sold	Price	$/sf	Match
1012 Birmingham St	0.40mi	3/2.0	1,572 (-3%)	3mo	$26,000	$17	75
4212 50th Ave N	0.19mi	3/2.0	1,517 (-6%)	15mo	$101,000	$67	68
1140 Wharton Ave	0.52mi	3/2.0	1,568 (-3%)	12mo	$130,000	$83	62
4101 49th Ter N	0.36mi	3/1.0	1,547 (-4%)	14mo	$67,000	$43	60
1249 Park Ave	0.30mi	3/2.0	1,456 (-10%)	12mo	$108,000	$74	59
636 Jefferson Blvd	0.57mi	3/1.0	1,505 (-7%)	0mo	$65,000	$43	58
1006 Overton Ave	0.49mi	4/2.0 (+1)	1,596 (-1%)	15mo	$95,000	$60	58
1225 Elizabeth Ave	0.63mi	3/1.0	1,697 (+5%)	1mo	$114,429	$67	57
717 Jackson Blvd	0.59mi	4/1.0 (+1)	1,604 (-1%)	8mo	$65,000	$41	56
1120 Elm Ave	0.43mi	3/1.5	1,516 (-6%)	16mo	$38,000	$25	54
4409 41st Pl N	0.63mi	4/2.0 (+1)	1,793 (+11%)	2mo	$150,000	$84	46
1433 Ford Ave	0.51mi	3/2.0	1,372 (-15%)	10mo	$90,000	$66	43

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 · 3.58% rent growth · sell at horizon

5-year hold

• IRR: 21.0%
• Equity multiple: 1.86×
• Total profit: $18,507
• Equity at exit: $11,415

10-year hold

• IRR: 29.5%
• Equity multiple: 3.70×
• Total profit: $57,938
• Equity at exit: $6,620

Cash invested: $21,437 (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 35217

• Rents YoY: 3.6%
• Active inventory: 94
• Price-to-rent: 5.3×

Monthly cashflow live

• Estimated rent: $1,215 high
• Mortgage (P&I): −$401
• Tax from tax record: −$52 /mo · $622/yr
• Insurance: −$32
• HOA: −$0
• Vacancy / Maint / Mgmt: −$255
• Net cashflow: $474

Break-even live

Break-even rent $614

Max offer price $76,560

Occupancy floor 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: $19,140
• Closing costs: $2,297
• Reserves months: —
• Total cash needed: —

Rent comps 33 comps

Address	Beds	Baths	Sqft	Rent	$/sqft	DOM	Units	Dist
5015 42nd Pl N Birmingham, AL	3.0	2.0	1500	$1,200	$0.80	43d	1	0.13mi
4212 50th Ave N Birmingham, AL	4.0	2.0	1517	$1,595	$1.05	1d	1	0.17mi
4208 50th Ave N Birmingham, AL	3.0	1.0	1104	$1,200	$1.09	43d	1	0.18mi
4925 43rd Way N Birmingham, AL	3.0	2.0	1232	$1,461	$1.19	1d	1	0.20mi
1237 Elm Ave Birmingham, AL	2.0	1.5	1312	$1,150	$0.88	43d	1	0.24mi
1236 Elm Ave Birmingham, AL	3.0	1.0	1888	$950	$0.50	43d	1	0.26mi
1249 Waverly St Birmingham, AL	3.0	1.0	1260	$1,000	$0.79	43d	1	0.29mi
1434 Thomason Ave Birmingham, AL	4.0	2.0	1644	$1,100	$0.67	43d	1	0.33mi
1043 Jackson Blvd Birmingham, AL	4.0	2.0	1300	$1,095	$0.84	14d	1	0.38mi
1401 Wharton Ave Birmingham, AL	2.0	1.0	1104	$950	$0.86	19d	1	0.42mi
1076 Green St Birmingham, AL	3.0	1.0	1172	$1,050	$0.90	16d	1	0.43mi
1224 Sloan Ave Birmingham, AL	3.0	2.0	2164	$1,200	$0.55	3d	1	0.43mi
1108 Hall St Birmingham, AL	2.0	1.0	1680	$850	$0.51	43d	1	0.50mi
732 Fulton Ave Birmingham, AL	4.0	2.0	1320	$1,450	$1.10	43d	1	0.53mi
4329 Harmon St Birmingham, AL	3.0	1.0	1227	$950	$0.77	43d	1	0.54mi
4329 Harmon St Birmingham, AL	3.0	1.0	1227	$950	$0.77	3d	1	0.54mi
4418 43rd St N Birmingham, AL	3.0	1.0	1710	$925	$0.54	23d	1	0.56mi
4329 Pulaski St Birmingham, AL	3.0	2.0	1240	$1,353	$1.09	23d	1	0.60mi
619 Bell Ave Birmingham, AL	3.0	1.0	1550	$1,075	$0.69	43d	1	0.61mi
4344 Pulaski St Birmingham, AL	3.0	1.0	1268	$1,050	$0.83	43d	1	0.64mi
1225 Elizabeth Ave Birmingham, AL	3.0	1.5	1697	$1,100	$0.65	19d	1	0.66mi
4301 Greenwood St Birmingham, AL	3.0	1.0	1140	$1,025	$0.90	3d	1	0.66mi
4400 43rd St N Birmingham, AL	3.0	1.0	1152	$850	$0.74	14d	1	0.67mi
4400 43rd St N Birmingham, AL	3.0	1.0	1152	$850	$0.74	43d	1	0.67mi
1731 Mountain Dr Birmingham, AL	3.0	1.0	1160	$975	$0.84	43d	1	0.68mi
4217 43rd Ave N Birmingham, AL	3.0	1.0	1140	$1,200	$1.05	3d	1	0.69mi
1816 Damon Cir Birmingham, AL	3.0	1.0	1401	$1,153	$0.82	16d	1	0.76mi
3823 43rd Ave N Birmingham, AL	3.0	2.0	1500	$1,200	$0.80	43d	1	0.86mi
3823 43rd Ave N Birmingham, AL	3.0	2.0	1500	$1,200	$0.80	23d	1	0.86mi
1303 Main St Birmingham, AL	4.0	2.0	1432	$1,300	$0.91	43d	1	0.90mi
4231 40th Ave N Birmingham, AL	3.0	1.0	1272	$850	$0.67	19d	1	0.91mi
4028 40th Ave N Birmingham, AL	3.0	1.0	1186	$950	$0.80	43d	1	0.91mi
1508 Saint Joseph St Birmingham, AL	3.0	1.0	1200	$995	$0.83	14d	1	1.00mi

Listing history 21 events

1. 2026-06-18
   days on market $76,560 Active 50 DOM
2. 2026-06-17
   days on market $76,560 Active 49 DOM
3. 2026-06-16
   days on market $76,560 Active 48 DOM
4. 2026-06-15
   days on market $76,560 Active 47 DOM
5. 2026-06-13
   days on market $76,560 Active 45 DOM
6. 2026-06-10
   days on market $76,560 Active 42 DOM
7. 2026-06-09
   days on market $76,560 Active 41 DOM
8. 2026-06-08
   days on market $76,560 Active 40 DOM
9. 2026-06-07
   pricestatusdays on market $76,560 Active 39 DOM
10. 2026-04-03
    status Pending 339-char remark

    Show marketing remark (339 chars)

    Discover timeless charm and endless potential in this delightful mid-century cottage nestled in the heart of Tarrant, just minutes from vibrant downtown Birmingham! At 1389 Fulton Ave, you'll find a welcoming 4 bedroom, 1.5 bath retreat spanning over 1,600 sq ft perfectly poised for modern living, savvy investing, or a cozy family haven.

11. 2026-02-25
    listed $87,000 Active 339-char remark

    Show marketing remark (339 chars)

    Discover timeless charm and endless potential in this delightful mid-century cottage nestled in the heart of Tarrant, just minutes from vibrant downtown Birmingham! At 1389 Fulton Ave, you'll find a welcoming 4 bedroom, 1.5 bath retreat spanning over 1,600 sq ft perfectly poised for modern living, savvy investing, or a cozy family haven.

12. 2021-09-03
    soldstatus $92,500 Sold 1012-char remark

    Show marketing remark (1012 chars)

    Charming cottage just minutes from downtown! This lovely home offers loads of space for living and entertaining. Welcome inside to the extra large living/dining room combo! The elegant lamp will perch beautifully over your dining room table. Make your way into the kitchen which has ample storage space and an eat-in space for your kitchen table. A gorgeous stainless steel stove and dishwasher, as well as accent shelving, make this a truly beautiful room. And a $300 cash allowance toward a refrigerator will be given to at closing! You will be thrilled with the updated bathrooms and the ceiling fans in every single bedroom! The versatile back room functions as either a master bedroom OR a den, complete with patio access and a half bath of its own. Enjoy your entertaining space on the outdoor patio! Park on the main level with your rear access alley! This house would be a wonderful rental home investment, but it’s so nice you’ll want it for yourself! Please hurry to see 1389 Fulton Avenue!

13. 2021-08-12
    historical Contingent 1012-char remark

    Show marketing remark (1012 chars)

    Charming cottage just minutes from downtown! This lovely home offers loads of space for living and entertaining. Welcome inside to the extra large living/dining room combo! The elegant lamp will perch beautifully over your dining room table. Make your way into the kitchen which has ample storage space and an eat-in space for your kitchen table. A gorgeous stainless steel stove and dishwasher, as well as accent shelving, make this a truly beautiful room. And a $300 cash allowance toward a refrigerator will be given to at closing! You will be thrilled with the updated bathrooms and the ceiling fans in every single bedroom! The versatile back room functions as either a master bedroom OR a den, complete with patio access and a half bath of its own. Enjoy your entertaining space on the outdoor patio! Park on the main level with your rear access alley! This house would be a wonderful rental home investment, but it’s so nice you’ll want it for yourself! Please hurry to see 1389 Fulton Avenue!

14. 2021-08-04
    status Active 1012-char remark

    Show marketing remark (1012 chars)

    Charming cottage just minutes from downtown! This lovely home offers loads of space for living and entertaining. Welcome inside to the extra large living/dining room combo! The elegant lamp will perch beautifully over your dining room table. Make your way into the kitchen which has ample storage space and an eat-in space for your kitchen table. A gorgeous stainless steel stove and dishwasher, as well as accent shelving, make this a truly beautiful room. And a $300 cash allowance toward a refrigerator will be given to at closing! You will be thrilled with the updated bathrooms and the ceiling fans in every single bedroom! The versatile back room functions as either a master bedroom OR a den, complete with patio access and a half bath of its own. Enjoy your entertaining space on the outdoor patio! Park on the main level with your rear access alley! This house would be a wonderful rental home investment, but it’s so nice you’ll want it for yourself! Please hurry to see 1389 Fulton Avenue!

15. 2021-07-26
    historical Contingent 1012-char remark

    Show marketing remark (1012 chars)

    Charming cottage just minutes from downtown! This lovely home offers loads of space for living and entertaining. Welcome inside to the extra large living/dining room combo! The elegant lamp will perch beautifully over your dining room table. Make your way into the kitchen which has ample storage space and an eat-in space for your kitchen table. A gorgeous stainless steel stove and dishwasher, as well as accent shelving, make this a truly beautiful room. And a $300 cash allowance toward a refrigerator will be given to at closing! You will be thrilled with the updated bathrooms and the ceiling fans in every single bedroom! The versatile back room functions as either a master bedroom OR a den, complete with patio access and a half bath of its own. Enjoy your entertaining space on the outdoor patio! Park on the main level with your rear access alley! This house would be a wonderful rental home investment, but it’s so nice you’ll want it for yourself! Please hurry to see 1389 Fulton Avenue!

16. 2021-07-24
    listed $87,500 Active 1012-char remark

    Show marketing remark (1012 chars)

    Charming cottage just minutes from downtown! This lovely home offers loads of space for living and entertaining. Welcome inside to the extra large living/dining room combo! The elegant lamp will perch beautifully over your dining room table. Make your way into the kitchen which has ample storage space and an eat-in space for your kitchen table. A gorgeous stainless steel stove and dishwasher, as well as accent shelving, make this a truly beautiful room. And a $300 cash allowance toward a refrigerator will be given to at closing! You will be thrilled with the updated bathrooms and the ceiling fans in every single bedroom! The versatile back room functions as either a master bedroom OR a den, complete with patio access and a half bath of its own. Enjoy your entertaining space on the outdoor patio! Park on the main level with your rear access alley! This house would be a wonderful rental home investment, but it’s so nice you’ll want it for yourself! Please hurry to see 1389 Fulton Avenue!

17. 2021-07-24
    historical $87,500 1012-char remark

    Show marketing remark (1012 chars)

    Charming cottage just minutes from downtown! This lovely home offers loads of space for living and entertaining. Welcome inside to the extra large living/dining room combo! The elegant lamp will perch beautifully over your dining room table. Make your way into the kitchen which has ample storage space and an eat-in space for your kitchen table. A gorgeous stainless steel stove and dishwasher, as well as accent shelving, make this a truly beautiful room. And a $300 cash allowance toward a refrigerator will be given to at closing! You will be thrilled with the updated bathrooms and the ceiling fans in every single bedroom! The versatile back room functions as either a master bedroom OR a den, complete with patio access and a half bath of its own. Enjoy your entertaining space on the outdoor patio! Park on the main level with your rear access alley! This house would be a wonderful rental home investment, but it’s so nice you’ll want it for yourself! Please hurry to see 1389 Fulton Avenue!

18. 2013-07-16
    soldstatus $11,500
19. 2013-05-21
    listed $10,000
20. 2008-10-22
    soldstatus $69,500
21. 2004-12-22
    soldstatus $92,900

ⓘ 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: $622 · $52/mo
• Projected year-2 tax: $622 · $52/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 3/10 Moderate
• 🌡 Heat 6/10 Major 7 d/yr ≥106°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 9 unhealthy d/yr today · 10 by 30 yrs out

Taxation est. · year 1

• Rental income: $14,574
• − Mortgage interest: −$4,289
• − Property taxes: −$622
• − Insurance: −$383
• − Repairs & maintenance: −$1,166
• − Management: −$1,166
• − Depreciation: −$2,227
• Taxable income: $4,722
• Est. tax owed @ 24.0%: −$1,133
• After-tax cash flow: $4,558/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: Tarrant City
• NCES district ID: 0103270
• Math proficiency: 4% ▼ -14.00%
• Reading proficiency: 17% ▼ -2.00%
• Median HH income: $29,256
• Composite: 8.0/100
• National rank: #9924
• State rank: #121 of 129 in AL

Livability — Tarrant

• Score: 51/100
• State rank: #507
• US rank: #25136

Category grades

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

Schools grade is shown separately in the Schools card above.

Census & demographics

• Census place: Tarrant, AL
• County: Jefferson County · 527,445 people
• City population: 12,240
• Metro: Birmingham-Hoover, AL
• Population (ZIP): 12,240
• Household income: $40,486
• Rent vs Own: 52.5% rent · 47.5% own
• Severe rent burden: 594.0

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: Black 57% White 27% Hispanic / Latino 14% Two or more races 6%
• Hispanic origin (detail): Mexican 9%
• Common ancestry: Slovak 3% Italian 1%
• Foreign-born: 7% · Canada, Guatemala
• Languages at home: 86% English-only · Spanish 13%

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: ▼ -74.54%
• Current HPI: 117.416
• Rent YoY: ▲ 3.58%
• 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

-6.4% since first listed

12 events — show timeline

• 2026-04-03 Pending — Greater Alabama MLS
• 2026-02-25 Listed $87,000 Greater Alabama MLS
• 2021-09-03 Sold (MLS) $92,500 Greater Alabama MLS
• 2021-08-12 Contingent — Greater Alabama MLS
• 2021-08-04 Relisted — Greater Alabama MLS
• 2021-07-26 Contingent — Greater Alabama MLS
• 2021-07-24 Listed $87,500 Greater Alabama MLS
• 2021-07-24 Coming Soon $87,500 Greater Alabama MLS
• 2013-07-16 Sold (MLS) $11,500 Greater Alabama MLS
• 2013-05-21 Listed $10,000 Greater Alabama MLS
• 2008-10-22 Sold (Public Records) $69,500 Public Records
• 2004-12-22 Sold (Public Records) $92,900 Public Records

Property tax history

+4.4%/yr

Latest (2025): $622 · +0.0% YoY. Source: county tax records.