5900 Sefton Ave · Baltimore, MD 21214

$225,000

5 bd · 2.0 ba · 2,018 sqft · SingleFamily public records · 72 Days on market

Built 1938 4,487 sqft lot $111/sqft · 37% below area Est $358k · 37% 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 +19.3/30.0
• ARV discount +15.0/15.0
• DSCR +6.1/10.0
• 1% rule +5.8/10.0
• Livability +3.8/5.0
• Rent growth +2.5/5.0
• Condition / age +2.5/5.0
• Schools +1.0/10.0
• Appreciation +0.0/10.0

Listing remarks MLS

Corner-lot home featuring 5 bedrooms and 2 full baths, with 2 bedrooms and 1 bath on the main level and 2 bedrooms and 1 bath on the upper level, plus a full basement. This home is perfect for investors or buyers looking to walk into a home with equity. Renovation loan options can make this a great opportunity to customize and add value. Must wear mask upon entering the home due to the presence of mold in the basement.

Key facts

• Corner-lot home
• Full basement
• 4,487 sq ft lot

Tags

• CORNER-LOT HOME
• FULL BASEMENT

What this means for you Summary

Snapshot

• This is a 5-bed/2.0-bath single-family listed at $225k.

Deal economics

• At list price, monthly cash flow is $246 ($3k/yr) — positive.
• The deal already cash-flows at list — no discount required.
• Meets the 1% rule at list price ($2k rent vs $225k).
• Recommended offer: $212k (6.0% below list) — sets the bar for market timing.
• Cap rate 7.6% vs local median 6.0% in Baltimore — meaningfully above typical; check what's discounted (condition, days-on-market, listing class) to confirm the premium yield is real.

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: 98 active listings in the ZIP; 11 comparable units currently listed for rent nearby; rentals at typical pace (median 21d on market — plan ~3-4 weeks tenant-placement turnaround); solid renter incomes; 1,273 units permitted in Baltimore city in 2024 (1,104 in 5+ unit buildings).
• This rent runs 34% 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 $7k of value loss. Plan a longer hold.
• Baltimore County population projected to shrink 4% by 2050 — rents likely to lag national; underwrite the cash flow, not the appreciation.

Negotiation context

• It's been on market 72 days — a 6% lower offer ($212k) is reasonable based on typical stale-listing flexibility.
• 10 sale attempts since 10y ago; this cycle's ask has dropped $25k (10%) from the opening price — seller is motivated, your offer sets the floor, not the list.

Risks & watch-outs

• Watch-outs: built in 1938 — expect roof / HVAC / electrical / plumbing capex.
• Climate carrying-cost: major wind risk, 27% chance of damaging wind over 30y; extreme-heat days projected 7→14/yr by 2055 (HVAC capex compounding) — expect insurance premiums to compound above CPI over the hold.

Recommended offer $211,500 (6.0% below list)

Questions for the listing agent

1. It's been on market 72 days. Have you received any prior offers? Is the seller open to a 6% concession, seller financing, or rate buy-down credit?
2. Built in 1938 — when were the roof, HVAC, electrical panel, plumbing, and water heater last replaced?
3. Why hasn't it sold? Are there any deal-killer items the seller is aware of (foundation, flood, title, zoning, code violations)?
4. Is there a deadline driving the sale (1031 exchange, divorce, estate, relocation)? That informs how much negotiation room exists.
5. 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?
6. 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?
7. 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.
8. 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.
9. 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: 1.08% ✓
• Cap rate: 7.60%
• Cash-on-cash: 4.68%
• DSCR: 1.21
• GRM: 7.7

CMA / ARV

• ARV (median comp): $357,538
• List price: $225,000
• Delta: -37.07%
• Verdict: UNDERPRICED
• Comps: 20 within 1.0 mi

Show comp detail 12 sales within ~0.75 mi

Address	Dist	Beds/Ba	Sqft	Sold	Price	$/sf	Match
5900 Winthrope Ave	0.28mi	5/2.0	2,000 (-1%)	2mo	$375,000	$188	84
3212 Wisteria Ave	0.27mi	4/2.5 (-1)	2,061 (+2%)	1mo	$378,000	$183	76
5930 Glenoak Ave	0.12mi	5/3.0	1,795 (-11%)	4mo	$360,000	$201	68
5600 Carter Ave	0.35mi	4/2.5 (-1)	1,944 (-4%)	4mo	$309,900	$159	67
6113 Sefton Ave	0.33mi	4/2.0 (-1)	1,898 (-6%)	3mo	$300,000	$158	67
3304 Bayonne Ave	0.15mi	4/2.0 (-1)	2,309 (+14%)	6mo	$350,000	$152	59
2911 Pinewood Ave	0.61mi	4/3.5 (-1)	2,054 (+2%)	2mo	$428,000	$208	56
5407 Pembroke Ave	0.63mi	4/3.0 (-1)	2,091 (+4%)	3mo	$349,000	$167	53
3202 E Northern Pkwy	0.70mi	4/3.0 (-1)	2,070 (+3%)	1mo	$355,500	$172	53
5602 Fair Oaks Ave	0.74mi	5/3.0	1,872 (-7%)	5mo	$350,000	$187	45
2817 Goodwood Rd	0.65mi	5/3.0	2,256 (+12%)	1mo	$325,000	$144	45
3206 E Northern Pkwy	0.71mi	6/3.0 (+1)	1,890 (-6%)	3mo	$350,000	$185	45

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: -8.9%
• Equity multiple: 0.67×
• Total profit: $-20,686
• Equity at exit: $33,548

10-year hold

• IRR: 0.6%
• Equity multiple: 1.04×
• Total profit: $2,602
• Equity at exit: $19,454

Cash invested: $63,000 (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 21214

• Active inventory: 98
• Price-to-rent: 7.7×

Monthly cashflow live

• Estimated rent: $2,430 high
• Mortgage (P&I): −$1,180
• Tax from tax record: −$400 /mo · $4,802/yr
• Insurance: −$94
• HOA: −$0
• Vacancy / Maint / Mgmt: −$510
• Net cashflow: $246

Break-even live

Break-even rent $2,119

Max offer price $225,000

Occupancy floor 85%

Sensitivity live

Price	-10% $373	-5% $310	+0% $246	+5% $182	+10% $119
Rent	-10% $54	-5% $150	+0% $246	+5% $342	+10% $438
Rate	-1.0pp $359	-0.5pp $303	base $246	+0.5pp $188	+1.0pp $128

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 11 comps

Address	Beds	Baths	Sqft	Rent	$/sqft	DOM	Units	Dist
3021 Glenmore Ave Baltimore, MD	5.0	2.0	2692	$1,950	$0.72	5d	1	0.24mi
2805 Hamilton Ave Baltimore, MD	4.0	2.0	1416	$2,300	$1.62	44d	1	0.57mi
3802 Biddison Ln Baltimore, MD	4.0	1.5	1443	$2,024	$1.40	12d	1	0.87mi
2911 Shirey Ave Baltimore, MD	4.0	2.0	1680	$2,500	$1.49	21d	1	0.91mi
6504 Rosemont Ave Baltimore, MD	5.0	3.0	2098	$2,900	$1.38	44d	1	0.98mi
2912 Grindon Ave Baltimore, MD	5.0	3.5	2400	$3,300	$1.38	12d	1	1.21mi
2518 Moore Ave Parkville, MD	4.0	1.5	1896	$2,700	$1.42	44d	1	1.26mi
2028 Hillenwood Rd Baltimore, MD	4.0	2.0	1820	$2,100	$1.15	22d	1	1.40mi
2912 Hillcrest Ave Parkville, MD	5.0	2.0	1648	$2,900	$1.76	44d	1	1.40mi
4718 Blue Ridge Ave Baltimore, MD	4.0	3.0	1744	$2,400	$1.38	12d	1	1.44mi
1908 E Belvedere Ave Baltimore, MD	4.0	2.0	1425	$1,950	$1.37	21d	1	1.45mi

Listing history 31 events

1. 2026-05-31
   days on market $225,000 Active 72 DOM
2. 2026-04-10
   price $225,000 423-char remark

   Show marketing remark (423 chars)

   Corner-lot home featuring 5 bedrooms and 2 full baths, with 2 bedrooms and 1 bath on the main level and 2 bedrooms and 1 bath on the upper level, plus a full basement. This home is perfect for investors or buyers looking to walk into a home with equity. Renovation loan options can make this a great opportunity to customize and add value. Must wear mask upon entering the home due to the presence of mold in the basement.

3. 2026-04-10
   status Active 423-char remark

   Show marketing remark (423 chars)

   Corner-lot home featuring 5 bedrooms and 2 full baths, with 2 bedrooms and 1 bath on the main level and 2 bedrooms and 1 bath on the upper level, plus a full basement. This home is perfect for investors or buyers looking to walk into a home with equity. Renovation loan options can make this a great opportunity to customize and add value. Must wear mask upon entering the home due to the presence of mold in the basement.

4. 2026-02-09
   historical 423-char remark

   Show marketing remark (423 chars)

   Corner-lot home featuring 5 bedrooms and 2 full baths, with 2 bedrooms and 1 bath on the main level and 2 bedrooms and 1 bath on the upper level, plus a full basement. This home is perfect for investors or buyers looking to walk into a home with equity. Renovation loan options can make this a great opportunity to customize and add value. Must wear mask upon entering the home due to the presence of mold in the basement.

5. 2026-01-20
   status Active 423-char remark

   Show marketing remark (423 chars)

   Corner-lot home featuring 5 bedrooms and 2 full baths, with 2 bedrooms and 1 bath on the main level and 2 bedrooms and 1 bath on the upper level, plus a full basement. This home is perfect for investors or buyers looking to walk into a home with equity. Renovation loan options can make this a great opportunity to customize and add value. Must wear mask upon entering the home due to the presence of mold in the basement.

6. 2026-01-20
   historical 423-char remark

   Show marketing remark (423 chars)

   Corner-lot home featuring 5 bedrooms and 2 full baths, with 2 bedrooms and 1 bath on the main level and 2 bedrooms and 1 bath on the upper level, plus a full basement. This home is perfect for investors or buyers looking to walk into a home with equity. Renovation loan options can make this a great opportunity to customize and add value. Must wear mask upon entering the home due to the presence of mold in the basement.

7. 2026-01-19
   listed $250,000 Active 423-char remark

   Show marketing remark (423 chars)

   Corner-lot home featuring 5 bedrooms and 2 full baths, with 2 bedrooms and 1 bath on the main level and 2 bedrooms and 1 bath on the upper level, plus a full basement. This home is perfect for investors or buyers looking to walk into a home with equity. Renovation loan options can make this a great opportunity to customize and add value. Must wear mask upon entering the home due to the presence of mold in the basement.

8. 2025-03-14
   historical
9. 2024-09-14
   listed $299,999 Active
10. 2024-09-10
    historical
11. 2017-09-08
    soldstatus $198,400
12. 2017-08-31
    soldstatus $198,400
13. 2017-08-31
    soldstatus $198,400 Sold
14. 2017-07-25
    status Contingent (No Kick Out)
15. 2017-07-12
    listed $199,900 Active
16. 2017-07-12
    historical
17. 2017-06-23
    historical Temporarily Off-Market
18. 2017-03-31
    listed $194,600
19. 2017-03-31
    listed Active
20. 2017-03-30
    historical Withdrawn
21. 2017-03-30
    historical
22. 2017-02-13
    price
23. 2017-01-09
    price
24. 2016-11-23
    price
25. 2016-11-05
    listed Active
26. 2016-11-05
    listed $199,800
27. 2016-07-15
    soldstatus $73,000
28. 2016-07-15
    soldstatus $73,000 Sold
29. 2016-06-17
    status Contract
30. 2016-05-30
    listed $99,900 Active
31. 1990-12-21
    soldstatus $75,000

ⓘ 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: $4,802 · $400/mo
• Projected year-2 tax: $4,802 · $400/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 7/10 Severe 7 d/yr ≥103°F today · 14 d/yr by 30 yrs out
• 💨 Wind 6/10 Major 27% chance of damaging wind over 30 yrs
• 🫁 Air quality 4/10 Moderate 3 unhealthy d/yr today · 6 by 30 yrs out

Taxation est. · year 1

• Rental income: $29,162
• − Mortgage interest: −$12,603
• − Property taxes: −$4,802
• − Insurance: −$1,125
• − Repairs & maintenance: −$2,333
• − Management: −$2,333
• − Depreciation: −$6,545
• Taxable loss: −$581
• Est. tax savings @ 24.0%: +$139
• After-tax cash flow: $3,091/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): 21,092
• Household income: $86,366
• Rent vs Own: 21.4% rent · 78.6% own
• Severe rent burden: 432.0

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: Diverse neighborhood (Simpson 0.56)
• Race & ethnicity: Black 58% White 33% Two or more races 6% Hispanic / Latino 3%
• Common ancestry: Romanian 3% Italian 1% Lithuanian 1%
• Foreign-born: 7% · Canada
• Languages at home: 93% English-only · Spanish 3% French/Haitian/Cajun 1%

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: ▼ -211.52%
• Current HPI: 310.5637
• Rent YoY: —
• 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

+200.0% since first listed

30 events — show timeline

• 2026-04-10 Price Changed $225,000 BRIGHT MLS
• 2026-04-10 Relisted — BRIGHT MLS
• 2026-02-09 Listing Removed — BRIGHT MLS
• 2026-01-20 Relisted — BRIGHT MLS
• 2026-01-20 Listing Removed — BRIGHT MLS
• 2026-01-19 Listed $250,000 BRIGHT MLS
• 2025-03-14 Listing Removed — BRIGHT MLS
• 2024-09-14 Listed $299,999 BRIGHT MLS
• 2024-09-10 Coming Soon — BRIGHT MLS
• 2017-09-08 Sold (Public Records) $198,400 Public Records
• 2017-08-31 Sold (MLS) $198,400 MRIS
• 2017-08-31 Sold (MLS) $198,400 BRIGHT MLS
• 2017-07-25 Pending — MRIS
• 2017-07-12 Listed $199,900 MRIS
• 2017-07-12 Listing Removed — BRIGHT MLS
• 2017-06-23 Delisted — MRIS
• 2017-03-31 Listed $194,600 BRIGHT MLS
• 2017-03-31 Listed — MRIS
• 2017-03-30 Listing Removed — BRIGHT MLS
• 2017-03-30 Delisted — MRIS
• 2017-02-13 Price Changed — MRIS
• 2017-01-09 Price Changed — MRIS
• 2016-11-23 Price Changed — MRIS
• 2016-11-05 Listed — MRIS
• 2016-11-05 Listed $199,800 BRIGHT MLS
• 2016-07-15 Sold (MLS) $73,000 MRIS
• 2016-07-15 Sold (MLS) $73,000 BRIGHT MLS
• 2016-06-17 Pending — MRIS
• 2016-05-30 Listed $99,900 MRIS
• 1990-12-21 Sold (Public Records) $75,000 Public Records

Property tax history

+1.5%/yr

Latest (2025): $4,802 · +5.9% YoY. Source: county tax records.