3626 Columbia St · Des Moines, IA 50313

$159,000

2 bd · 2.0 ba · 1,069 sqft · SingleFamily public records · 15 Days on market

Built 1910 6,650 sqft lot $149/sqft · at area comps Est $164k · at est.

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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 +9.2/30.0
• ARV discount +8.8/15.0
• Rent growth +5.0/5.0
• Livability +4.0/5.0
• Schools +3.8/10.0
• DSCR +2.6/10.0
• 1% rule +2.5/10.0
• Condition / age +2.5/5.0
• Appreciation +0.0/10.0

Listing remarks MLS

Welcome Home! New meets old in this charming 1.5 story home located in the Historic - Up and coming Highland Park Neighborhood. You'll fall in love with the oversized covered front porch. When you walk in the front door, you'll love the large open living room with new flooring, and bright white woodwork! The main level features 2 bedrooms, and a large bathroom with dual vanities. The kitchen is bright white, wide open and updated and all appliances are included. Fenced in backyard is ready for your furry friend. Home includes NEW Furnace in 2020, NEW Central Air in 2018 and newer windows, shed, gutters, carpet & roof! The Home is in NFC Zone, so it may qualify for a free garage! All information obtained from Seller and public records.

Key facts

• New furnace
• Near shopping
• Near parks

Tags

• OVERSIZED COVERED FRONT PORCH
• FENCED-IN BACKYARD
• NEW FURNACE
• NEW CENTRAL AIR
• NEAR PARKS
• NEAR SHOPPING

Property features AI

Finance

• Financial info: Annual tax listed

Exterior

• Utilities: Public water; Public sewer
• Home design: Residential zoning; Wood-sided exterior
• Construction: Wood siding construction; Asphalt shingle roof; Brick/mortar foundation; Built with traditional framing
• Exterior features: Vinyl fencing; Concrete road access

Interior

• Kitchen: Dishwasher; Microwave; Refrigerator; Stove
• Bedrooms: 2 main-level bedrooms
• Bathrooms: 1 full bathroom
• Heating & cooling: Forced-air heating (natural gas); Central air conditioning
• Interior features: Unfinished basement; Basement present
• Laundry & utility: Washer; Main-level laundry

What this means for you Summary

Snapshot

• This is a 2-bed/2.0-bath single-family listed at $159k.

Deal economics

• At list price, monthly cash flow is $-120 ($-1k/yr) — negative.
• To cash-flow at today's rent, offer at most $138k (13.4% below list).
• To meet the 1% rule (rent ≥ 1% of price), the offer needs to be $120k (24.7% below list).
• Recommended offer: $120k (24.7% below list) — sets the bar for 1% rule.
• Cap rate 5.4% vs local median 3.1% in Des Moines — 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 81/100 on livability (#63 in IA, #1,432 nationally) — a professional / high-income tenant draw. Strengths: commute A+, cost of living A+, housing A+; Watch: employment C-, crime F.
• Des Moines Independent Community School District (urban): math 43% / reading 46% proficiency, ranked #289 of 289 in IA (top 100%) — families likely to look elsewhere, expect single-tenant / working-renter base with shorter leases; 63% free/reduced lunch — lower-income household profile, screen leases tightly.
• Zoned schools: Madison Elementary School (math 37% / reading 32%, grade F, #595 of 616 statewide, top 97%, 243 students, 90% FRL); Harding Middle School (math 31% / reading 30%, grade F, #245 of 246 statewide, top 100%, 655 students, 90% FRL); North High School (math 33% / reading 45%, grade F, #326 of 336 statewide, top 97%, 1,458 students, 87% FRL) — zoned schools average 89% FRL vs 63% district-wide (26 pts higher); higher-poverty schools than district average — tighter screening recommended.
• Market conditions: Rents rising fast (+13.1%/yr); 156 active listings in the ZIP; 5 comparable units currently listed for rent nearby; rentals at typical pace (median 26d on market — plan ~3-4 weeks tenant-placement turnaround); 40% of comp listings sitting > 30 days — soft ceiling on asking rent; 2,953 units permitted in Polk County in 2024 (540 in 5+ unit buildings).

Forward outlook

• Local home prices are declining (-3.0%/yr); year-one equity from $1k of loan paydown is wiped out by about $5k of value loss. Plan a longer hold.
• Polk County population projected at +37% by 2050 — long-run rental-demand tailwind backs the buy-and-hold thesis.

Negotiation context

• It's been on market 15 days — a 2% lower offer ($157k) is reasonable based on typical stale-listing flexibility.
• 6 sale attempts since 13y 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: built in 1910 — expect roof / HVAC / electrical / plumbing capex.

Recommended offer $119,745 (24.7% below list)

Questions for the listing agent

1. 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?
2. Built in 1910 — when were the roof, HVAC, electrical panel, plumbing, and water heater last replaced?
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. 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?
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: 0.75% ✗
• Cap rate: 5.38%
• Cash-on-cash: -3.25%
• DSCR: 0.86
• GRM: 11.1

CMA / ARV

• ARV (median comp): $163,715
• List price: $159,000
• Delta: -2.88%
• Verdict: FAIR
• Comps: 20 within 1.0 mi

Show comp detail 12 sales within ~0.75 mi

Address	Dist	Beds/Ba	Sqft	Sold	Price	$/sf	Match
3633 Bowdoin St	0.09mi	2/1.0	960 (-10%)	2mo	$75,300	$78	73
3007 E 8th St	0.52mi	3/2.0 (+1)	1,065 (-0%)	2mo	$181,000	$170	69
4012 Amherst St	0.37mi	2/1.0	1,008 (-6%)	2mo	$70,000	$69	68
3421 Amherst St	0.21mi	3/2.0 (+1)	1,197 (+12%)	2mo	$205,000	$171	64
2915 4th St	0.62mi	3/1.0 (+1)	1,042 (-2%)	1mo	$161,500	$155	57
2915 3rd St	0.57mi	3/1.0 (+1)	1,030 (-4%)	2mo	$173,000	$168	56
1025 Hoffman Ave	0.57mi	3/1.0 (+1)	1,020 (-5%)	1mo	$210,000	$206	56
3109 4th St	0.55mi	2/1.0	1,156 (+8%)	2mo	$165,000	$143	55
2919 1st St	0.52mi	3/1.0 (+1)	1,153 (+8%)	1mo	$135,000	$117	53
4220 NE 10th St	0.74mi	2/1.0	967 (-10%)	2mo	$89,000	$92	44
1305 E Oak Park Ave	0.59mi	3/1.5 (+1)	1,223 (+14%)	1mo	$175,000	$143	41
3109 E 9th St	0.56mi	3/1.0 (+1)	1,214 (+14%)	2mo	$237,500	$196	41

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 · 8.0% rent growth · sell at horizon

5-year hold

• IRR: -16.5%
• Equity multiple: 0.39×
• Total profit: $-27,107
• Equity at exit: $23,707

10-year hold

• IRR: -1.3%
• Equity multiple: 0.89×
• Total profit: $-4,685
• Equity at exit: $13,747

Cash invested: $44,520 (down + closing). Projections, not guarantees.

Landlord ↔ Tenant lean methodology

• Overall (STATE): 83 Strongly Landlord-Friendly
• State Iowa: 83 Strongly Landlord-Friendly · R+6
• County: — inherits STATE
• City: — inherits STATE

3-day pay-or-quit; mostly landlord-friendly statewide.

Methodology + full state rankings →

ZIP-level market 50313

• Rents YoY: 13.1%
• Active inventory: 156
• Price-to-rent: 11.1×

Monthly cashflow live

• Estimated rent: $1,197 high
• Mortgage (P&I): −$834
• Tax from tax record: −$166 /mo · $1,996/yr
• Insurance: −$66
• HOA: −$0
• Vacancy / Maint / Mgmt: −$251
• Net cashflow: $-120

Break-even live

Break-even rent $1,350

Max offer price $137,729

Occupancy floor —

Sensitivity live

Price	-10% $-30	-5% $-75	+0% $-120	+5% $-165	+10% $-210
Rent	-10% $-215	-5% $-168	+0% $-120	+5% $-73	+10% $-26
Rate	-1.0pp $-40	-0.5pp $-80	base $-120	+0.5pp $-162	+1.0pp $-204

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: $39,750
• Closing costs: $4,770
• Reserves months: —
• Total cash needed: —

Rent comps 5 comps

Address	Beds	Baths	Sqft	Rent	$/sqft	DOM	Units	Dist
3623 Cambridge St Des Moines, IA	2.0	1.0	732	$1,145	$1.56	21d	1	0.11mi
3103 E 7th St Des Moines, IA	2.0	1.0	960	$1,200	$1.25	45d	1	0.46mi
4124 3rd St Des Moines, IA	3.0	1.0	996	$1,595	$1.60	16d	1	0.61mi
1914 10th St Des Moines, IA	2.0	1.0	740	$1,050	$1.42	25d	1	1.47mi
1914 10th St Des Moines, IA	2.0	1.0	740	$1,050	$1.42	45d	1	1.47mi

Listing history 20 events

1. 2026-05-12
   listed $159,000 Active 587-char remark
2. 2021-06-08
   soldstatus $140,125
3. 2021-06-04
   soldstatus $139,900 Closed 751-char remark

   Show marketing remark (751 chars)

   Welcome Home! New meets old in this charming 1.5 story home located in the Historic - Up and coming Highland Park Neighborhood. You'll fall in love with the oversized covered front porch. When you walk in the front door, you'll love the large open living room with new flooring, and bright white woodwork! The main level features 2 bedrooms, and a large bathroom with dual vanities. The kitchen is bright white, wide open and updated and all appliances are included. Fenced in backyard is ready for your furry friend. Home includes NEW Furnace in 2020, NEW Central Air in 2018 and newer windows, shed, gutters, carpet & roof! The Home is in NFC Zone, so it may qualify for a free garage! All information obtained from Seller and public records.

4. 2021-04-26
   status Pending 751-char remark

   Show marketing remark (751 chars)

   Welcome Home! New meets old in this charming 1.5 story home located in the Historic - Up and coming Highland Park Neighborhood. You'll fall in love with the oversized covered front porch. When you walk in the front door, you'll love the large open living room with new flooring, and bright white woodwork! The main level features 2 bedrooms, and a large bathroom with dual vanities. The kitchen is bright white, wide open and updated and all appliances are included. Fenced in backyard is ready for your furry friend. Home includes NEW Furnace in 2020, NEW Central Air in 2018 and newer windows, shed, gutters, carpet & roof! The Home is in NFC Zone, so it may qualify for a free garage! All information obtained from Seller and public records.

5. 2021-04-23
   listed $139,900 Active 751-char remark

   Show marketing remark (751 chars)

   Welcome Home! New meets old in this charming 1.5 story home located in the Historic - Up and coming Highland Park Neighborhood. You'll fall in love with the oversized covered front porch. When you walk in the front door, you'll love the large open living room with new flooring, and bright white woodwork! The main level features 2 bedrooms, and a large bathroom with dual vanities. The kitchen is bright white, wide open and updated and all appliances are included. Fenced in backyard is ready for your furry friend. Home includes NEW Furnace in 2020, NEW Central Air in 2018 and newer windows, shed, gutters, carpet & roof! The Home is in NFC Zone, so it may qualify for a free garage! All information obtained from Seller and public records.

6. 2019-01-10
   soldstatus $99,000 Sold

   Show marketing remark (464 chars)

   Updated 1.5 story ready for new owners! Lots of living area in this one! Two bedrooms and large living room on 1st level with new carpet throughout bedroom and huge finished attic! Kitchen and bath has new flooring and many other updates. 1st floor laundry! Fenced in backyard for your furry friend. Home includes new windows, new carpet, newer roof…. too many updates to list! Home also qualifies for tax abatement for 8 more years! Come see it today!

7. 2018-08-31
   soldstatus $99,000
8. 2018-07-17
   status Pending

   Show marketing remark (464 chars)

   Updated 1.5 story ready for new owners! Lots of living area in this one! Two bedrooms and large living room on 1st level with new carpet throughout bedroom and huge finished attic! Kitchen and bath has new flooring and many other updates. 1st floor laundry! Fenced in backyard for your furry friend. Home includes new windows, new carpet, newer roof…. too many updates to list! Home also qualifies for tax abatement for 8 more years! Come see it today!

9. 2018-07-11
   status Active

   Show marketing remark (464 chars)

   Updated 1.5 story ready for new owners! Lots of living area in this one! Two bedrooms and large living room on 1st level with new carpet throughout bedroom and huge finished attic! Kitchen and bath has new flooring and many other updates. 1st floor laundry! Fenced in backyard for your furry friend. Home includes new windows, new carpet, newer roof…. too many updates to list! Home also qualifies for tax abatement for 8 more years! Come see it today!

10. 2018-06-19
    status Pending

    Show marketing remark (464 chars)

    Updated 1.5 story ready for new owners! Lots of living area in this one! Two bedrooms and large living room on 1st level with new carpet throughout bedroom and huge finished attic! Kitchen and bath has new flooring and many other updates. 1st floor laundry! Fenced in backyard for your furry friend. Home includes new windows, new carpet, newer roof…. too many updates to list! Home also qualifies for tax abatement for 8 more years! Come see it today!

11. 2018-06-07
    status Active

    Show marketing remark (464 chars)

    Updated 1.5 story ready for new owners! Lots of living area in this one! Two bedrooms and large living room on 1st level with new carpet throughout bedroom and huge finished attic! Kitchen and bath has new flooring and many other updates. 1st floor laundry! Fenced in backyard for your furry friend. Home includes new windows, new carpet, newer roof…. too many updates to list! Home also qualifies for tax abatement for 8 more years! Come see it today!

12. 2018-05-30
    status Pending

    Show marketing remark (464 chars)

    Updated 1.5 story ready for new owners! Lots of living area in this one! Two bedrooms and large living room on 1st level with new carpet throughout bedroom and huge finished attic! Kitchen and bath has new flooring and many other updates. 1st floor laundry! Fenced in backyard for your furry friend. Home includes new windows, new carpet, newer roof…. too many updates to list! Home also qualifies for tax abatement for 8 more years! Come see it today!

13. 2018-05-22
    price $94,900

    Show marketing remark (464 chars)

    Updated 1.5 story ready for new owners! Lots of living area in this one! Two bedrooms and large living room on 1st level with new carpet throughout bedroom and huge finished attic! Kitchen and bath has new flooring and many other updates. 1st floor laundry! Fenced in backyard for your furry friend. Home includes new windows, new carpet, newer roof…. too many updates to list! Home also qualifies for tax abatement for 8 more years! Come see it today!

14. 2018-05-17
    listed $99,900 Active

    Show marketing remark (464 chars)

    Updated 1.5 story ready for new owners! Lots of living area in this one! Two bedrooms and large living room on 1st level with new carpet throughout bedroom and huge finished attic! Kitchen and bath has new flooring and many other updates. 1st floor laundry! Fenced in backyard for your furry friend. Home includes new windows, new carpet, newer roof…. too many updates to list! Home also qualifies for tax abatement for 8 more years! Come see it today!

15. 2014-07-01
    soldstatus $49,900
16. 2013-10-18
    soldstatus $47,000
17. 2013-07-30
    soldstatus $31,026
18. 2013-05-21
    listed $49,900
19. 2005-07-07
    soldstatus $69,900
20. 2004-06-01
    soldstatus $69,900

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

Tax reassessment forecast IA · Partial reset (capped growth)

• Current annual tax: $1,996 · $166/mo
• Projected year-2 tax: $2,246 · $187/mo
• Expected delta: +$250/yr (+$21/mo · 12.5%)

ⓘ 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 3/10 Moderate 7 d/yr ≥103°F today · 15 d/yr by 30 yrs out
• 💨 Wind 2/10 Low
• 🫁 Air quality 2/10 Low 1 unhealthy d/yr today · 2 by 30 yrs out

Taxation est. · year 1

• Rental income: $14,369
• − Mortgage interest: −$8,906
• − Property taxes: −$1,996
• − Insurance: −$795
• − Repairs & maintenance: −$1,150
• − Management: −$1,150
• − Depreciation: −$4,625
• Taxable loss: −$4,253
• Est. tax savings @ 24.0%: +$1,021
• After-tax cash flow: $-424/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: Des Moines Independent Community School District
• NCES district ID: 1908970
• Math proficiency: 43% ▼ -6.00%
• Reading proficiency: 46% ▼ -1.00%
• Median HH income: $45,905
• Composite: 37.83/100
• National rank: #4331
• State rank: #289 of 289 in IA

Livability — Des Moines

• Score: 81/100
• State rank: #63
• US rank: #1432

Category grades

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

Schools grade is shown separately in the Schools card above.

Census & demographics

• Census place: Des Moines, IA
• County: Polk County · 453,298 people
• City population: 203,612
• Metro: Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
• Population (ZIP): 17,440
• Household income: $68,361
• Rent vs Own: 23.1% rent · 76.9% own
• Severe rent burden: 454.0

Population outlook (Polk County) Hauer SSP2

• Today (2025): 548,042 people
• By 2030: 588,557 · +7.4%
• By 2040: 670,629 · +22.4%
• By 2050: 752,830 · +37.4%
• By 2075: 955,069 · +74.3%
• By 2100: 1,115,436 · +103.5%

Race, ethnicity, and origin ACS 2023

• Neighborhood character: Diverse neighborhood (Simpson 0.58)
• Race & ethnicity: White 61% Hispanic / Latino 17% Black 11% Two or more races 8% Asian 6%
• Hispanic origin (detail): Mexican 11%
• Common ancestry: Iranian 3% Portuguese 2% Scotch-Irish 2%
• Foreign-born: 16% · Canada, Philippines, Vietnam
• Languages at home: 75% English-only · Spanish 14% Other Asian/Pacific 4% Russian/Polish/Slavic 1%

Political lean MEDSL · Polk

• 2024 margin: D (+10.9) · D 54.8% · R 43.9% · Other 1.3%
• 2008→2024 swing: -3.7pp toward R · 2008: 14.6pp · 2024: 10.9pp
• All cycles: 2024: D+10.9 2020: D+15.2 2016: D+11.5 2012: D+14.2 2008: D+14.6

Not yet ingested

• Civics: —

Market trends

• HPI YoY: ▼ -162.17%
• Current HPI: 285.5708
• Rent YoY: ▲ 13.11%
• Metro: Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
• State GDP YoY: ▲ 2.48%
• F500 in state: 4

Industry mix (Fortune 500 HQ in IA)

Industry	F500 HQs	Revenue
▸Financial Services	1	$16B
▸Retail / Convenience	1	$15B

Price history

+127.5% since first listed

20 events — show timeline

• 2026-05-12 Listed $159,000 DMMLS
• 2021-06-08 Sold (Public Records) $140,125 Public Records
• 2021-06-04 Sold (MLS) $139,900 DMMLS
• 2021-04-26 Pending — DMMLS
• 2021-04-23 Listed $139,900 DMMLS
• 2019-01-10 Sold (MLS) $99,000 DMMLS
• 2018-08-31 Sold (Public Records) $99,000 Public Records
• 2018-07-17 Pending — DMMLS
• 2018-07-11 Relisted — DMMLS
• 2018-06-19 Pending — DMMLS
• 2018-06-07 Relisted — DMMLS
• 2018-05-30 Pending — DMMLS
• 2018-05-22 Price Changed $94,900 DMMLS
• 2018-05-17 Listed $99,900 DMMLS
• 2014-07-01 Sold (Public Records) $49,900 Public Records
• 2013-10-18 Sold (Public Records) $47,000 Public Records
• 2013-07-30 Sold (MLS) $31,026 DMMLS
• 2013-05-21 Listed $49,900 DMMLS
• 2005-07-07 Sold (Public Records) $69,900 Public Records
• 2004-06-01 Sold (Public Records) $69,900 Public Records

Property tax history

+5.5%/yr

Latest (2025): $1,996 · +2.0% YoY. Source: county tax records.