1 bd · 1.0 ba ·
790 sqft ·
Built 2006
· Condo
· Active
· 136 DOM
Cashflow @ list (25.0% down · 7.5%)
Estimated rent
$2,199/mo
Mortgage (P&I)
−$986
Tax + insurance
−$313
HOA
−$600
Vac / Maint / Mgmt
−$462
Net cashflow
$-162/mo
Annual
$-1,942/yr
Cap rate
5.26%
Cash-on-cash
-3.69%
DSCR
0.84
1% rule
1.17%
Cash to close
$52,640
Investor read
This is a 1-bed/1.0-bath condo listed at $188k. Condition is rated fair.
At list price, monthly cash flow is $-162 ($-2k/yr) — negative.
To cash-flow at today's rent, offer at most $165k (12.5% below list).
Meets the 1% rule at list price ($2k rent vs $188k).
It's been on market 136 days — a 12% lower offer ($165k) is reasonable based on typical stale-listing flexibility.
Recommended offer: $165k (12.5% below list) — sets the bar for cash-flow.
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.
Location reads: area grade D — affects rentability + tenant quality, not the cash-flow math above.
Lawrence Township Public School District (suburban): math 24% / reading 52% proficiency, ranked #217 of 472 in NJ (top 46%) — families likely to look elsewhere, expect single-tenant / working-renter base with shorter leases; only 17% free/reduced lunch — higher-income household profile.
Zoned schools: Ben Franklin Elementary (math 27% / reading 42%, grade F, #582 of 1,303 statewide, top 49%, 335 students, 13% FRL); Lawrence Intermediate School (math 22% / reading 46%, grade F, #259 of 431 statewide, top 61%, 797 students, 29% FRL); Lawrence High School (math 26% / reading 63%, grade F, #149 of 399 statewide, top 40%, 1,207 students, 32% FRL).
Watch-outs: HOA is 27% of rent.
Market conditions: Rents soft (-0.0%/yr); 160 active listings in the ZIP; 7 comparable units currently listed for rent nearby; rentals lingering (median 70d on market — plan ~5-8 weeks vacancy on turnover, expect pricing pressure); 100% of comp listings sitting > 30 days — soft ceiling on asking rent; high-income renter base; 2,256 units permitted in Mercer County in 2024 (1,303 in 5+ unit buildings).
Mercer County population projected at +4% by 2050 — modest demand growth; plan on rents tracking national, not racing it.
3 sale attempts since 7y 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 $139k; 35% above their basis — modest negotiation headroom, anchor on the comps not their cost.
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.
Cap rate 5.3% vs local median 3.4% in Lawrence — 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
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?
It's been on market 136 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?
Any open or pending special assessments — roof, HVAC, plumbing, elevator, façade? What's the per-unit balance and payoff schedule, and is the seller paying it off at close or rolling it to the buyer?
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.
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?
Repairs flagged (vision-AI assessment)
Minor: kitchen cabinets
— slight wear
Minor: bathroom fixtures
— standard fixtures
Minor: interior paint
— some wear
CashFlowRE · CFR-NB819B5ACEY2Y2
· Data 13 h agocashflowre.app · 2026-05-29