3104 Western Ave #522

Seattle, WA 98121

$309,995D-

1 bd · 1.0 ba · 506 sqft · Built 2007 · Condo · Active · 66 DOM

Cashflow @ list (25.0% down · 7.5%)

• Estimated rent: $2,020/mo
• Mortgage (P&I): −$1,626
• Tax + insurance: −$375
• HOA: −$455
• Vac / Maint / Mgmt: −$424
• Net cashflow: $-860/mo
• Annual: $-10,318/yr
• Cap rate: 2.96%
• Cash-on-cash: -11.89%
• DSCR: 0.47
• 1% rule: 0.65%
• Cash to close: $86,799

Investor read

• This is a 1-bed/1.0-bath condo listed at $310k.
• At list price, monthly cash flow is $-860 ($-10k/yr) — negative.
• To cash-flow at today's rent, offer at most $158k (49.0% below list).
• To meet the 1% rule (rent ≥ 1% of price), the offer needs to be $202k (34.9% below list).
• It's been on market 66 days — a 6% lower offer ($291k) is reasonable based on typical stale-listing flexibility.
• Recommended offer: $158k (49.0% below list) — sets the bar for cash-flow.
• Local home prices are declining (-0.8%/yr); year-one equity from $2k of loan paydown is wiped out by about $3k of value loss. Plan a longer hold.
• Location reads 75/100 on livability (#166 in WA, #4,033 nationally) — a middle-class / working-renter tenant base. Strengths: amenities A+, commute A+, employment A+; Watch: crime F, cost of living F.
• Seattle Public Schools (urban): math 64% / reading 72% proficiency, ranked #19 of 291 in WA (top 6%) — acceptable for families but not a draw, mixed tenant base, ~2y average lease.
• Watch-outs: HOA is 23% of rent.
• Market conditions: Rents flat; 229 active listings in the ZIP; 40 comparable units currently listed for rent nearby; rentals leasing fast (median 1d on market — plan ~1-2 weeks tenant-placement turnaround); high-income renter base; 10,555 units permitted in King County in 2024 (7,119 in 5+ unit buildings).
• King County population projected at +44% by 2050 — long-run rental-demand tailwind backs the buy-and-hold thesis.
• 2 sale attempts since 18y 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 $250k; 24% above their basis — modest negotiation headroom, anchor on the comps not their cost.
• Cap rate 3.0% vs local median 1.6% in Seattle — 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.
• This rent is only 16% of the median local income ($152k/yr) — well below the 30% rent-burden line; pricing power to push rent on renewal without tenant pushback.

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 66 days. Have you received any prior offers? Is the seller open to a 49% concession, seller financing, or rate buy-down credit?
• 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.
• Schools are A-rated — typically a magnet for longer-tenancy family renters. What's the average tenant stay here, and is there a school-zone premium baked into asking?
• 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?