1221 N Decker Ave · Baltimore, MD 21213

$49,900

2 bd · 1.0 ba · 1,090 sqft · Townhouse public records · 6 Days on market

Built 1928 1,370 sqft lot Est $97k · 49% under

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Why this score? — see what drove the A- 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
• Appreciation +4.7/10.0
• Rent growth +3.8/5.0
• Livability +3.8/5.0
• Condition / age +2.5/5.0
• Schools +1.0/10.0

Listing remarks

Nestled in the Berea-Biddle Street Historic District, this traditional townhouse offers a unique investment opportunity. Built in 1928, the brick façade exudes timeless appeal, while the interior welcomes you with an open floor plan with carpet flooring that flows from the living room to the dining room. Venture to the upper level, and you will find two well-sized bedrooms and a full bathroom equipped with a tub shower, designed for functionality and comfort. With a partially finished basement that includes windows and interior access, there's potential for additional living space, making it an attractive option for future renters or buyers. The 0.03-acre lot features a quaint rear y

Key facts

• Open floor plan
• Quaint rear yard
• Brick façade

Tags

• BRICK FAÇADE
• OPEN FLOOR PLAN
• PARTIALLY FINISHED BASEMENT
• QUAINT REAR YARD

Property features AI

Finance

• Financial info: Ground rent payable semi-annually

Exterior

• Parking: On-street parking
• Utilities: Public water; Public sewer
• Home design: Interior townhouse/rowhouse; Brick construction with brick front
• Construction: Concrete perimeter foundation; Above- and below-grade structures
• Exterior features: Rear yard; Rear fencing

Interior

• Kitchen: Kitchen with table space
• Bedrooms: Two bedrooms on the first upper level
• Flooring: Wood floors
• Bathrooms: One full bathroom
• Heating & cooling: Forced air heating (90%); Electric heating fuel; Natural gas hot water
• Interior features: Open floor plan; Dining area; Table space in kitchen; Tub/shower; Wood floors; Drywall, paneled and plaster walls
• Laundry & utility: Basement with interior access and connecting stairway

What this means for you Summary

Snapshot

• This is a 2-bed/1.0-bath townhouse listed at $50k.

Deal economics

• At list price, monthly cash flow is $795 ($10k/yr) — positive.
• The deal already cash-flows at list — no discount required.
• Meets the 1% rule at list price ($2k rent vs $50k).
• Cap rate 25.4% vs local median 6.0% in Baltimore — 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.

Location & tenants

• Location reads 76/100 on livability (#90 in MD, #3,396 nationally) — a middle-class / working-renter tenant base. Strengths: amenities A+, commute A+, housing A+; Watch: schools D, crime F.
• Baltimore City Public Schools (urban): math 7% / reading 16% proficiency, ranked #24 of 24 in MD (top 100%) — low school quality limits family demand, transient renter base, plan for 1-2y turnover; 79% free/reduced lunch — lower-income household profile, screen leases tightly.
• Market conditions: Rents rising fast (+5.2%/yr); 319 active listings in the ZIP; 40 comparable units currently listed for rent nearby; rentals at typical pace (median 25d on market — plan ~3-4 weeks tenant-placement turnaround); 1,273 units permitted in Baltimore city in 2024 (1,104 in 5+ unit buildings).
• This rent runs 38% of the median local income ($51k/yr) — at the standard rent-burdened threshold; future hikes will face affordability resistance.

Forward outlook

• In year one you build about $62 of equity ($345 loan paydown + $-283 appreciation (-0.6% local appreciation)).
• Baltimore County population projected to shrink 4% by 2050 — rents likely to lag national; underwrite the cash flow, not the appreciation.
• At projected returns (-0.6% appreciation + 5.2% rent growth), your $14k cash investment doubles in ~2 years — after that, you're playing with house money.

Negotiation context

• Only 6 days on market — expect competitive offers; lowballing is unlikely to land.
• 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.

Risks & watch-outs

• Watch-outs: property tax is 4.7% of price; built in 1928 — 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 $49,900

Questions for the listing agent

1. Built in 1928 — when were the roof, HVAC, electrical panel, plumbing, and water heater last replaced?
2. Property tax is high relative to price — has the assessment been appealed recently, and will the sale trigger a re-assessment?
3. Is there a deadline driving the sale (1031 exchange, divorce, estate, relocation)? That informs how much negotiation room exists.
4. 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?
5. 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?
6. 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.
7. 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.
8. 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: 3.23% ✓
• Cap rate: 25.41%
• Cash-on-cash: 68.27%
• DSCR: 4.04
• GRM: 2.6

CMA / ARV

• ARV (on-the-fly): $97,010
• Comps found: 12

Show comp detail 12 sales within ~0.75 mi

Address	Dist	Beds/Ba	Sqft	Sold	Price	$/sf	Match
2811 E Biddle St	0.18mi	2/1.0	1,148 (+5%)	2mo	$75,000	$65	81
2736 Mura St	0.21mi	3/2.0 (+1)	1,120 (+3%)	0mo	$81,000	$72	76
629 N Kenwood Ave	0.51mi	2/1.5	1,100 (+1%)	1mo	$76,500	$70	72
2712 Ashland Ave	0.38mi	3/1.5 (+1)	1,164 (+7%)	1mo	$175,000	$150	63
415 N Glover St	0.70mi	2/2.5	1,092 (+0%)	2mo	$179,000	$164	59
2615 E Chase St	0.34mi	3/1.5 (+1)	952 (-13%)	2mo	$149,000	$157	54
2703 Jefferson St	0.65mi	3/1.0 (+1)	1,170 (+7%)	2mo	$102,500	$88	51
735 N Lakewood Ave	0.47mi	3/1.5 (+1)	970 (-11%)	2mo	$80,000	$82	51
3238 Ravenwood Ave	0.69mi	3/1.5 (+1)	1,158 (+6%)	0mo	$70,000	$60	50
530 N Curley St	0.55mi	3/1.0 (+1)	960 (-12%)	2mo	$85,000	$89	48
441 N East Ave	0.61mi	3/1.5 (+1)	976 (-10%)	2mo	$175,000	$179	46
3135 Mcelderry St	0.54mi	3/2.0 (+1)	1,224 (+12%)	1mo	$234,000	$191	44

Match score weights: distance 35% · size 25% · config 20% · recency 20%. Top-matched comps best support the ARV.

Projected returns pro-forma

-0.57% appreciation · 5.25% rent growth · sell at horizon

5-year hold

• IRR: 72.5%
• Equity multiple: 4.70×
• Total profit: $51,683
• Equity at exit: $13,088

10-year hold

• IRR: 75.5%
• Equity multiple: 10.43×
• Total profit: $131,734
• Equity at exit: $14,654

Cash invested: $13,972 (down + closing). Projections, not guarantees.

Landlord ↔ Tenant lean methodology

• Overall (CITY): 12 Strongly Tenant-Friendly
• State Maryland: 27 Tenant-Leaning · D+14
• County: — inherits STATE
• City Baltimore: 12 Strongly Tenant-Friendly · D+58

Just-cause for tenancies > 1 yr.

Methodology + full state rankings →

ZIP-level market 21213

• Home prices YoY: -0.1%
• Rents YoY: 5.2%
• Active inventory: 319
• Price-to-rent: 2.6×

Monthly cashflow live

• Estimated rent: $1,610 high
• Mortgage (P&I): −$262
• Tax from tax record: −$195 /mo · $2,335/yr
• Insurance: −$21
• HOA: −$0
• Vacancy / Maint / Mgmt: −$338
• Net cashflow: $795

Break-even live

Break-even rent $604

Max offer price $49,900

Occupancy floor 46%

Sensitivity live

Price	-10% $962	-5% $809	+0% $795	+5% $781	+10% $767
Rent	-10% $668	-5% $731	+0% $795	+5% $858	+10% $922
Rate	-1.0pp $820	-0.5pp $808	base $795	+0.5pp $782	+1.0pp $769

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: $12,475
• Closing costs: $1,497
• Reserves months: —
• Total cash needed: —

Rent comps 40 comps

Address	Beds	Baths	Sqft	Rent	$/sqft	DOM	Units	Dist
1310 N Ellwood Ave Baltimore, MD	2.0	1.0	1000	$1,450	$1.45	13d	1	0.06mi
1310 N Ellwood Ave #1 Baltimore, MD	2.0	1.0	1000	$1,550	$1.55	23d	1	0.06mi
1215 N Ellwood Ave Baltimore, MD	3.0	1.0	1128	$1,795	$1.59	25d	1	0.06mi
1401 N Potomac St Unit 1 Baltimore, MD	1.0	1.0	700	$1,099	$1.57	19d	1	0.09mi
1323 N Kenwood Ave Unit 1 Baltimore, MD	2.0	1.5	1060	$1,350	$1.27	25d	1	0.18mi
2626 E Preston St Baltimore, MD	3.0	1.0	1136	$1,800	$1.58	45d	1	0.28mi
2729 Ashland Ave Baltimore, MD	3.0	1.0	1000	$1,350	$1.35	4d	1	0.40mi
724 N Curley St Baltimore, MD	3.0	3.0	1500	$2,200	$1.47	5d	1	0.43mi
718 N Curley St Baltimore, MD	3.0	3.0	1500	$2,000	$1.33	5d	1	0.44mi
2430 E Biddle St Baltimore, MD	2.0	2.0	1300	$2,000	$1.54	45d	1	0.44mi
2934 E Monument St Baltimore, MD	2.0	1.0	1200	$1,499	$1.25	45d	1	0.46mi
3304 McElderry St Baltimore, MD	3.0	2.0	1413	$1,900	$1.34	45d	1	0.57mi
627 N Lakewood Ave Baltimore, MD	3.0	2.5	1175	$1,900	$1.62	23d	1	0.57mi
520 N Decker Ave Baltimore, MD	2.0	1.0	1000	$1,650	$1.65	45d	1	0.59mi
531 N Belnord Ave Baltimore, MD	2.0	1.5	1100	$1,700	$1.55	25d	1	0.60mi
2608 McElderry St Baltimore, MD	3.0	1.0	1144	$1,550	$1.35	25d	1	0.63mi
2215 E Biddle St Baltimore, MD	2.0	2.5	1350	$1,800	$1.33	45d	1	0.63mi
720 N Port St Baltimore, MD	2.0	1.0	950	$1,300	$1.37	45d	1	0.63mi
2311 E Lafayette Ave Baltimore, MD	3.0	1.0	1000	$1,400	$1.40	45d	1	0.63mi
3343 Ravenwood Ave Unit 3343 Baltimore, MD	2.0	2.0	948	$1,855	$1.96	19d	1	0.63mi
3322 Ravenwood Ave Baltimore, MD	3.0	2.0	932	$1,800	$1.93	25d	1	0.66mi
2202 Prentiss Pl Baltimore, MD	3.0	2.0	1400	$2,400	$1.71	45d	1	0.66mi
502 N Glover St Baltimore, MD	2.0	1.5	827	$1,250	$1.51	21d	1	0.67mi
3339 Elmora Ave Baltimore, MD	3.0	2.0	896	$1,600	$1.79	45d	1	0.67mi
404 N Robinson St Baltimore, MD	3.0	3.0	1320	$2,200	$1.67	25d	1	0.69mi
404 N Robinson St Baltimore, MD	3.0	3.0	1320	$2,100	$1.59	17d	1	0.69mi
517 N Rose St Baltimore, MD	3.0	1.0	845	$1,400	$1.66	5d	1	0.69mi
415 N Belnord Ave Baltimore, MD	2.0	1.0	1008	$1,300	$1.29	25d	1	0.69mi
3326 Elmora Ave Baltimore, MD	3.0	1.0	1200	$1,450	$1.21	25d	1	0.69mi
2800 Orleans St Baltimore, MD	3.0	1.0	1404	$1,600	$1.14	19d	1	0.70mi
2800 Orleans St Baltimore, MD	3.0	1.0	1404	$1,600	$1.14	16d	1	0.70mi
3914 Erdman Ave #1 Baltimore, MD	3.0	1.0	1200	$1,319	$1.10	19d	1	0.70mi
3512 Elmora Ave Baltimore, MD	3.0	1.5	1472	$1,900	$1.29	21d	1	0.71mi
618 N Montford Ave Baltimore, MD	3.0	1.0	1050	$1,468	$1.40	16d	1	0.71mi
618 N Montford Ave Baltimore, MD	3.0	1.0	1050	$1,468	$1.40	45d	1	0.71mi
3335 Lyndale Ave Baltimore, MD	2.0	2.0	1344	$1,600	$1.19	25d	1	0.71mi
3902 Erdman Ave Unit 1 Baltimore, MD	2.0	1.0	1000	$1,275	$1.27	25d	1	0.72mi
3902 Erdman Ave Unit 2 Baltimore, MD	1.0	1.0	700	$1,175	$1.68	16d	1	0.72mi
3317 Lyndale Ave Baltimore, MD	3.0	1.0	900	$1,300	$1.44	45d	1	0.72mi
3315 Lyndale Ave Baltimore, MD	2.0	1.5	896	$1,650	$1.84	19d	1	0.72mi

Listing history 5 events

1. 2026-06-21
   days on market $49,900 Active 6 DOM
2. 2026-06-18
   days on market $49,900 Active 3 DOM
3. 2026-06-17
   days on market $49,900 Active 2 DOM
4. 2026-06-16
   remarks 692-char remark
5. 2026-06-16
   listed $49,900 Active 1 DOM

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

Tax reassessment forecast MD · Partial reset (capped growth)

• Current annual tax: $2,335 · $195/mo
• Projected year-2 tax: $2,335 · $195/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 1/10 Low
• 🌡 Heat 8/10 Severe 7 d/yr ≥103°F today · 15 d/yr by 30 yrs out
• 💨 Wind 6/10 Major 27% chance of damaging wind over 30 yrs
• 🫁 Air quality 4/10 Moderate 6 unhealthy d/yr today · 7 by 30 yrs out

Taxation est. · year 1

• Rental income: $19,320
• − Mortgage interest: −$2,795
• − Property taxes: −$2,335
• − Insurance: −$250
• − Repairs & maintenance: −$1,546
• − Management: −$1,546
• − Depreciation: −$1,452
• Taxable income: $9,398
• Est. tax owed @ 24.0%: −$2,256
• After-tax cash flow: $7,283/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: Baltimore City Public Schools
• NCES district ID: 2400090
• Math proficiency: 7% ▼ -9.00%
• Reading proficiency: 16% ▼ -5.00%
• Median HH income: $42,108
• Composite: 10.08/100
• National rank: #9805
• State rank: #24 of 24 in MD

Livability — Baltimore

• Score: 76/100
• State rank: #90
• US rank: #3396

Category grades

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

Schools grade is shown separately in the Schools card above.

Census & demographics

• Census place: Baltimore, MD
• County: Baltimore City · 558,601 people
• City population: 588,727
• Metro: Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD
• Population (ZIP): 28,058
• Household income: $51,344
• Rent vs Own: 48.0% rent · 52.0% own
• Severe rent burden: 1868.0

Population outlook (Baltimore County) Hauer SSP2

• Today (2025): 624,249 people
• By 2030: 621,541 · -0.4%
• By 2040: 609,756 · -2.3%
• By 2050: 597,249 · -4.3%
• By 2075: 552,236 · -11.5%
• By 2100: 513,934 · -17.7%

Race, ethnicity, and origin ACS 2023

• Neighborhood character: Predominantly Black (86%)
• Race & ethnicity: Black 86% White 6% Hispanic / Latino 4% Two or more races 3%
• Foreign-born: 3% · Canada
• Languages at home: 96% English-only · Spanish 3%

Political lean MEDSL · Baltimore

• 2024 margin: Solid D (+73.0) · D 85.2% · R 12.2% · Other 2.6%
• 2008→2024 swing: -2.5pp toward R · 2008: 75.5pp · 2024: 73.0pp
• All cycles: 2024: D+73.0 2020: D+76.6 2016: D+74.6 2012: D+76.4 2008: D+75.5

Not yet ingested

• Civics: —

Market trends

• HPI YoY: ▼ -0.57%
• Current HPI: 427.4453
• Rent YoY: ▲ 5.25%
• Metro: Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD
• State GDP YoY: ▲ 2.97%
• F500 in state: 12

Industry mix (Fortune 500 HQ in MD)

Industry	F500 HQs	Revenue
▸Aerospace / Defense	1	$71B
▸Utilities	1	$25B
▸Hotels	1	$24B
▸Consumer Goods	1	$7B
▸Real Estate	1	$6B
▸Chemicals	1	$2B

Price history

+10.9% since first listed

8 events — show timeline

• 2026-06-15 Listed $49,900 BRIGHT MLS
• 2020-03-24 Listing Removed — BRIGHT MLS
• 2020-03-12 Price Changed $54,000 BRIGHT MLS
• 2020-03-01 Price Changed $54,500 BRIGHT MLS
• 2020-01-31 Price Changed $55,000 BRIGHT MLS
• 2020-01-20 Listed $58,000 BRIGHT MLS
• 2019-09-23 Listing Removed — BRIGHT MLS
• 2019-06-06 Listed $45,000 BRIGHT MLS

Property tax history

+3.2%/yr

Latest (2025): $2,335 · +14.3% YoY. Source: county tax records.