281 Sycamore Rd · Elkton, MD 21921

$282,500

3 bd · 3.0 ba · 2,080 sqft · SingleFamily public records · 3 Days on market

Built 1986 7,143 sqft lot $136/sqft · 5% below area Est $298k · 5% under

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Why this score? — see what drove the D 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 +13.9/30.0
• ARV discount +9.9/15.0
• DSCR +4.2/10.0
• Livability +3.2/5.0
• 1% rule +3.1/10.0
• Rent growth +3.1/5.0
• Condition / age +2.5/5.0
• Schools +2.2/10.0
• Appreciation +0.0/10.0

Listing remarks MLS

TOTALLY REMODELED 3 BR 3BTH FMRM W/ MINI KITCHEN, 2 ADDITIONAL ROOMS IN BSMT W/ SEPERATE HEAT AND A/C, CERAMIC FLOORS, FENCED IN BACKYARD, HARDTOP DRIVEWAY, LARGE SHED WITH ELECTRIC, MASTER BEDROOM W/ WALK IN CLOSET AND BATH, MASTERBR ALSO HAS GLASS DOOR LEADING TO LARGE DECK, ALL NEW STAINLESS STEEL APPLIANCES, SEPERATOR WASH AND DRYER AREA, BACKS TO A FARM GIVING YOU PEACEFUL VIEWS AND PRIVACY.

Key facts

• Large windows
• Private backyard
• Ss appliances

Tags

• UPDATED KITCHEN
• PRIVATE BACKYARD
• BONUS LIVING SPACE
• LARGE WINDOWS
• GENEROUS COUNTER SPACE
• SS APPLIANCES

Property features AI

Exterior

• Parking: Driveway parking with space for two vehicles; Two total garage/parking spaces
• Utilities: Public water; Public sewer
• Home design: Detached single-family home; Estimated effective renovation in 2014; Outside city limits
• Construction: Vinyl siding; Concrete perimeter foundation; Above-grade finished living area (estimated 2,080)
• Exterior features: Paved driveway

Interior

• Bedrooms: Three bedrooms on the main level
• Bathrooms: Three full bathrooms (two on main level, one on lower level)
• Heating & cooling: Forced air heating (electric); Heat pump cooling (electric); Electric hot water
• Interior features: Finished basement with connecting stairway

What this means for you Summary

Snapshot

• This is a 3-bed/3.0-bath single-family listed at $282k.

Deal economics

• At list price, monthly cash flow is $31 ($370/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 $228k (19.3% below list).
• Recommended offer: $228k (19.3% below list) — sets the bar for 1% rule.
• Cap rate 6.4% vs local median 4.1% in Elkton — 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 65/100 on livability (#261 in MD) — a middle-class / working-renter tenant base. Strengths: housing A+, health & safety A+, cost of living A; Watch: crime F, commute F.
• Cecil County Public Schools (rural): math 15% / reading 30% proficiency, ranked #15 of 24 in MD (top 62%) — low school quality limits family demand, transient renter base, plan for 1-2y turnover.
• Zoned schools: Cecil Manor Elementary (math 12% / reading 12%, grade F, #550 of 860 statewide, top 66%, 424 students, 65% FRL); Elkton Middle (math 6% / reading 25%, grade F, #190 of 225 statewide, top 85%, 523 students, 74% FRL); Elkton High (math 32% / reading 58%, grade D-, #124 of 222 statewide, top 56%, 1,106 students, 62% FRL) — zoned schools average 67% FRL vs 37% district-wide (30 pts higher); higher-poverty schools than district average — tighter screening recommended.
• Market conditions: Rents rising (+2.3%/yr); 206 active listings in the ZIP; 1 comparable units currently listed for rent nearby; solid renter incomes; 563 units permitted in Cecil County in 2024 (330 in 5+ unit buildings).
• This rent runs 32% of the median local income ($86k/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 $8k of value loss. Plan a longer hold.

Negotiation context

• Only 3 days on market — expect competitive offers; lowballing is unlikely to land.
• 13 sale attempts since 29y ago; this cycle's ask is 5% above the opening price — seller raised mid-cycle; expect resistance to lowballs.

Risks & watch-outs

• 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 $227,914 (19.3% below list)

Questions for the listing agent

1. Is there a deadline driving the sale (1031 exchange, divorce, estate, relocation)? That informs how much negotiation room exists.
2. 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?
3. 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?
4. 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?
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: 0.81% ✗
• Cap rate: 6.42%
• Cash-on-cash: 0.47%
• DSCR: 1.02
• GRM: 10.3

CMA / ARV

• ARV (median comp): $298,401
• List price: $282,500
• Delta: -5.33%
• Verdict: FAIR
• Comps: 20 within 1.0 mi

Show comp detail 5 sales within ~0.75 mi

Address	Dist	Beds/Ba	Sqft	Sold	Price	$/sf	Match
281 Sycamore Rd	0.00mi	3/3.0	2,080 (0%)	1mo	$282,500	$136	100
15 Peach Rd	0.31mi	3/2.5	1,850 (-11%)	2mo	$339,900	$184	64
260 Chestnut Dr	0.71mi	3/2.0	2,067 (-1%)	8mo	$350,000	$169	55
10 Stirrup Dr	0.52mi	3/2.5	2,124 (+2%)	24mo	$373,900	$176	50
121 Chestnut Dr	0.68mi	3/2.5	1,834 (-12%)	14mo	$370,000	$202	35

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 · 2.32% rent growth · sell at horizon

5-year hold

• IRR: -16.3%
• Equity multiple: 0.43×
• Total profit: $-45,438
• Equity at exit: $42,122

10-year hold

• IRR: -9.2%
• Equity multiple: 0.45×
• Total profit: $-43,622
• Equity at exit: $24,425

Cash invested: $79,100 (down + closing). Projections, not guarantees.

Landlord ↔ Tenant lean methodology

• Overall (STATE): 27 Tenant-Leaning
• State Maryland: 27 Tenant-Leaning · D+14
• County: — inherits STATE
• City: — inherits STATE

Failure-to-pay is dismissed if cured before judgment; Baltimore has just-cause; strict deposit rules.

Methodology + full state rankings →

ZIP-level market 21921

• Rents YoY: 2.3%
• Active inventory: 206
• Price-to-rent: 10.3×

Monthly cashflow live

• Estimated rent: $2,279 medium
• Mortgage (P&I): −$1,481
• Tax from tax record: −$170 /mo · $2,046/yr
• Insurance: −$118
• HOA: −$0
• Vacancy / Maint / Mgmt: −$479
• Net cashflow: $31

Break-even live

Break-even rent $2,240

Max offer price $282,500

Occupancy floor 94%

Sensitivity live

Price	-10% $191	-5% $111	+0% $31	+5% $-49	+10% $-129
Rent	-10% $-149	-5% $-59	+0% $31	+5% $121	+10% $211
Rate	-1.0pp $173	-0.5pp $103	base $31	+0.5pp $-42	+1.0pp $-117

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: $70,625
• Closing costs: $8,475
• Reserves months: —
• Total cash needed: —

Rent comps 1 comps

Address	Beds	Baths	Sqft	Rent	$/sqft	DOM	Units	Dist
525 S Twin Lakes Blvd Newark, DE	3.0	3.5	2075	$2,800	$1.35	26d	1	0.97mi

Listing history 39 events

1. 2026-05-03
   status Pending 992-char remark
2. 2026-05-02
   historical 992-char remark
3. 2026-05-02
   price $282,500 992-char remark
4. 2026-04-29
   listed $269,900 Active 992-char remark
5. 2014-05-30
   soldstatus $165,000
6. 2014-05-16
   soldstatus $165,000 Sold 399-char remark

   Show marketing remark (399 chars)

   TOTALLY REMODELED 3 BR 3BTH FMRM W/ MINI KITCHEN, 2 ADDITIONAL ROOMS IN BSMT W/ SEPERATE HEAT AND A/C, CERAMIC FLOORS, FENCED IN BACKYARD, HARDTOP DRIVEWAY, LARGE SHED WITH ELECTRIC, MASTER BEDROOM W/ WALK IN CLOSET AND BATH, MASTERBR ALSO HAS GLASS DOOR LEADING TO LARGE DECK, ALL NEW STAINLESS STEEL APPLIANCES, SEPERATOR WASH AND DRYER AREA, BACKS TO A FARM GIVING YOU PEACEFUL VIEWS AND PRIVACY.

7. 2014-05-16
   soldstatus $165,000

   Show marketing remark (399 chars)

   TOTALLY REMODELED 3 BR 3BTH FMRM W/ MINI KITCHEN, 2 ADDITIONAL ROOMS IN BSMT W/ SEPERATE HEAT AND A/C, CERAMIC FLOORS, FENCED IN BACKYARD, HARDTOP DRIVEWAY, LARGE SHED WITH ELECTRIC, MASTER BEDROOM W/ WALK IN CLOSET AND BATH, MASTERBR ALSO HAS GLASS DOOR LEADING TO LARGE DECK, ALL NEW STAINLESS STEEL APPLIANCES, SEPERATOR WASH AND DRYER AREA, BACKS TO A FARM GIVING YOU PEACEFUL VIEWS AND PRIVACY.

8. 2014-04-10
   status Contract 399-char remark

   Show marketing remark (399 chars)

   TOTALLY REMODELED 3 BR 3BTH FMRM W/ MINI KITCHEN, 2 ADDITIONAL ROOMS IN BSMT W/ SEPERATE HEAT AND A/C, CERAMIC FLOORS, FENCED IN BACKYARD, HARDTOP DRIVEWAY, LARGE SHED WITH ELECTRIC, MASTER BEDROOM W/ WALK IN CLOSET AND BATH, MASTERBR ALSO HAS GLASS DOOR LEADING TO LARGE DECK, ALL NEW STAINLESS STEEL APPLIANCES, SEPERATOR WASH AND DRYER AREA, BACKS TO A FARM GIVING YOU PEACEFUL VIEWS AND PRIVACY.

9. 2014-04-10
   historical

   Show marketing remark (399 chars)

   TOTALLY REMODELED 3 BR 3BTH FMRM W/ MINI KITCHEN, 2 ADDITIONAL ROOMS IN BSMT W/ SEPERATE HEAT AND A/C, CERAMIC FLOORS, FENCED IN BACKYARD, HARDTOP DRIVEWAY, LARGE SHED WITH ELECTRIC, MASTER BEDROOM W/ WALK IN CLOSET AND BATH, MASTERBR ALSO HAS GLASS DOOR LEADING TO LARGE DECK, ALL NEW STAINLESS STEEL APPLIANCES, SEPERATOR WASH AND DRYER AREA, BACKS TO A FARM GIVING YOU PEACEFUL VIEWS AND PRIVACY.

10. 2014-03-10
    listed $169,900 Active 399-char remark

    Show marketing remark (399 chars)

    TOTALLY REMODELED 3 BR 3BTH FMRM W/ MINI KITCHEN, 2 ADDITIONAL ROOMS IN BSMT W/ SEPERATE HEAT AND A/C, CERAMIC FLOORS, FENCED IN BACKYARD, HARDTOP DRIVEWAY, LARGE SHED WITH ELECTRIC, MASTER BEDROOM W/ WALK IN CLOSET AND BATH, MASTERBR ALSO HAS GLASS DOOR LEADING TO LARGE DECK, ALL NEW STAINLESS STEEL APPLIANCES, SEPERATOR WASH AND DRYER AREA, BACKS TO A FARM GIVING YOU PEACEFUL VIEWS AND PRIVACY.

11. 2014-03-10
    listed $169,900

    Show marketing remark (399 chars)

    TOTALLY REMODELED 3 BR 3BTH FMRM W/ MINI KITCHEN, 2 ADDITIONAL ROOMS IN BSMT W/ SEPERATE HEAT AND A/C, CERAMIC FLOORS, FENCED IN BACKYARD, HARDTOP DRIVEWAY, LARGE SHED WITH ELECTRIC, MASTER BEDROOM W/ WALK IN CLOSET AND BATH, MASTERBR ALSO HAS GLASS DOOR LEADING TO LARGE DECK, ALL NEW STAINLESS STEEL APPLIANCES, SEPERATOR WASH AND DRYER AREA, BACKS TO A FARM GIVING YOU PEACEFUL VIEWS AND PRIVACY.

12. 2013-05-23
    soldstatus $55,000
13. 2013-05-10
    historical
14. 2013-02-21
    listed $59,500
15. 2002-10-07
    soldstatus $110,000
16. 2002-08-28
    soldstatus $110,000
17. 2002-07-25
    historical
18. 2002-06-18
    listed $109,999
19. 2000-09-27
    soldstatus $99,900
20. 2000-06-28
    soldstatus $99,900
21. 2000-06-02
    historical
22. 2000-05-30
    listed $99,900
23. 1999-06-07
    soldstatus $87,000
24. 1999-05-24
    soldstatus $87,000
25. 1999-04-09
    historical
26. 1999-04-09
    historical
27. 1998-11-30
    listed $87,000
28. 1998-11-25
    listed $87,000
29. 1998-10-28
    historical
30. 1998-07-27
    historical
31. 1998-07-06
    historical
32. 1998-07-06
    listed $87,900
33. 1998-07-06
    listed
34. 1997-11-11
    listed
35. 1997-10-17
    historical
36. 1997-09-25
    listed
37. 1997-09-16
    historical
38. 1997-09-16
    listed $92,000
39. 1991-06-24
    soldstatus $89,650

ⓘ 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: $2,046 · $170/mo
• Projected year-2 tax: $2,563 · $214/mo
• Expected delta: +$517/yr (+$43/mo · 25.3%)

ⓘ 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 7/10 Severe 7 d/yr ≥104°F today · 15 d/yr by 30 yrs out
• 💨 Wind 6/10 Major 27% chance of damaging wind over 30 yrs
• 🫁 Air quality 3/10 Moderate 2 unhealthy d/yr today · 3 by 30 yrs out

Taxation est. · year 1

• Rental income: $27,350
• − Mortgage interest: −$15,824
• − Property taxes: −$2,046
• − Insurance: −$1,412
• − Repairs & maintenance: −$2,188
• − Management: −$2,188
• − Depreciation: −$8,218
• Taxable loss: −$4,527
• Est. tax savings @ 24.0%: +$1,087
• After-tax cash flow: $1,457/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: Cecil County Public Schools
• NCES district ID: 2400240
• Math proficiency: 15% ▼ -21.00%
• Reading proficiency: 30% ▼ -15.00%
• Median HH income: $66,544
• Composite: 21.51/100
• National rank: #8322
• State rank: #15 of 24 in MD

Livability — Elkton

• Score: 65/100
• State rank: #261
• US rank: #13293

Category grades

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

Schools grade is shown separately in the Schools card above.

Census & demographics

• County: Cecil County · 65,041 people
• City population: 45,527
• Metro: Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD
• Population (ZIP): 45,527
• Household income: $85,775
• Rent vs Own: 30.2% rent · 69.8% own
• Severe rent burden: 1438.0

Population outlook (Cecil County) Hauer SSP2

• Today (2025): 105,877 people
• By 2030: 106,905 · +1.0%
• By 2040: 107,156 · +1.2%
• By 2050: 104,170 · -1.6%
• By 2075: 95,771 · -9.5%
• By 2100: 82,381 · -22.2%

Race, ethnicity, and origin ACS 2023

• Neighborhood character: Predominantly White (76%)
• Race & ethnicity: White 76% Black 9% Two or more races 8% Hispanic / Latino 6% Asian 2%
• Hispanic origin (detail): Mexican 2% Puerto Rican 2%
• Common ancestry: Romanian 6% Slovak 2% Italian 1%
• Foreign-born: 5% · Canada
• Languages at home: 92% English-only · Spanish 3% Other Indo-European 1% Other Asian/Pacific 1%

Political lean MEDSL · Cecil

• 2024 margin: Solid R (+30.9) · D 33.5% · R 64.4% · Other 2.1%
• 2008→2024 swing: -16.3pp toward R · 2008: -14.6pp · 2024: -30.9pp
• All cycles: 2024: R+30.9 2020: R+26.6 2016: R+35.3 2012: R+20.4 2008: R+14.6

Not yet ingested

• Civics: —

Market trends

• HPI YoY: ▼ -192.67%
• Current HPI: 253.7641
• Rent YoY: ▲ 2.32%
• Metro: Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-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

+215.1% since first listed

40 events — show timeline

• 2026-06-05 Sold (MLS) $282,500 BRIGHT MLS
• 2026-05-03 Pending — BRIGHT MLS
• 2026-05-02 Price Changed $282,500 BRIGHT MLS
• 2026-05-02 Listing Removed — BRIGHT MLS
• 2026-04-29 Listed $269,900 BRIGHT MLS
• 2014-05-30 Sold (Public Records) $165,000 Public Records
• 2014-05-16 Sold (MLS) $165,000 BRIGHT MLS
• 2014-05-16 Sold (MLS) $165,000 MRIS
• 2014-04-10 Pending — MRIS
• 2014-04-10 Listing Removed — BRIGHT MLS
• 2014-03-10 Listed $169,900 MRIS
• 2014-03-10 Listed $169,900 BRIGHT MLS
• 2013-05-23 Sold (MLS) $55,000 BRIGHT MLS
• 2013-05-10 Listing Removed — BRIGHT MLS
• 2013-02-21 Listed $59,500 BRIGHT MLS
• 2002-10-07 Sold (Public Records) $110,000 Public Records
• 2002-08-28 Sold (MLS) $110,000 MRIS
• 2002-07-25 Delisted — MRIS
• 2002-06-18 Listed $109,999 MRIS
• 2000-09-27 Sold (Public Records) $99,900 Public Records
• 2000-06-28 Sold (MLS) $99,900 MRIS
• 2000-06-02 Delisted — MRIS
• 2000-05-30 Listed $99,900 MRIS
• 1999-06-07 Sold (Public Records) $87,000 Public Records
• 1999-05-24 Sold (MLS) $87,000 MRIS
• 1999-04-09 Listing Removed — BRIGHT MLS
• 1999-04-09 Delisted — MRIS
• 1998-11-30 Listed $87,000 MRIS
• 1998-11-25 Listed $87,000 BRIGHT MLS
• 1998-10-28 Delisted — MRIS
• 1998-07-27 Delisted — MRIS
• 1998-07-06 Listed — MRIS
• 1998-07-06 Listed $87,900 BRIGHT MLS
• 1998-07-06 Listing Removed — BRIGHT MLS
• 1997-11-11 Listed — MRIS
• 1997-10-17 Delisted — MRIS
• 1997-09-25 Listed — MRIS
• 1997-09-16 Listed $92,000 BRIGHT MLS
• 1997-09-16 Listing Removed — BRIGHT MLS
• 1991-06-24 Sold (Public Records) $89,650 Public Records

Property tax history

+2.0%/yr

Latest (2025): $2,046 · +27.2% YoY. Source: county tax records.