3 bd · 2.0 ba ·
1,304 sqft ·
Built 1974
· Townhouse
· Active
· 181 DOM
Cashflow @ list (25.0% down · 7.5%)
Estimated rent
$1,781/mo
Mortgage (P&I)
−$734
Tax + insurance
−$233
HOA
−$0
Vac / Maint / Mgmt
−$374
Net cashflow
$440/mo
Annual
$5,277/yr
Cap rate
10.06%
Cash-on-cash
13.46%
DSCR
1.60
1% rule
1.27%
Cash to close
$39,200
Investor read
This is a 3-bed/2.0-bath townhouse listed at $140k. Condition is rated good.
At list price, monthly cash flow is $440 ($5k/yr) — positive.
The deal already cash-flows at list — no discount required.
Meets the 1% rule at list price ($2k rent vs $140k).
It's been on market 181 days — a 12% lower offer ($123k) is reasonable based on typical stale-listing flexibility.
Recommended offer: $123k (12.0% below list) — sets the bar for market timing.
Local home prices are declining (-3.0%/yr); year-one equity from $968 of loan paydown is wiped out by about $4k of value loss. Plan a longer hold.
Location reads 79/100 on livability (#62 in TX, #2,311 nationally) — a middle-class / working-renter tenant base. Strengths: commute A+, cost of living A+, housing A+; Watch: amenities D, crime D-, employment F.
Brownsville ISD (urban): math 20% / reading 34% proficiency, ranked #710 of 826 in TX (top 86%) — low school quality limits family demand, transient renter base, plan for 1-2y turnover; 83% free/reduced lunch — lower-income household profile, screen leases tightly.
Zoned schools: Martin El (math 27% / reading 37%, grade F, #2,268 of 4,322 statewide, top 55%, 438 students, 88% FRL); Oliveira Middle (math 23% / reading 37%, grade F, #1,056 of 1,662 statewide, top 65%, 802 students, 94% FRL); Hanna Early College H S (math 24% / reading 49%, grade F, #924 of 1,632 statewide, top 57%, 2,246 students, 88% FRL).
Market conditions: Rents rising fast (+8.2%/yr); 468 active listings in the ZIP; 40 comparable units currently listed for rent nearby; rentals lingering (median 71d on market — plan ~5-8 weeks vacancy on turnover, expect pricing pressure); 100% of comp listings sitting > 30 days — soft ceiling on asking rent; lower-income renter base — watch delinquency; 2,326 units permitted in Cameron County in 2024 (503 in 5+ unit buildings).
Cameron County population projected at +3% by 2050 — modest demand growth; plan on rents tracking national, not racing it.
4 sale attempts since 5y ago; this cycle's ask has dropped $10k (7%) from the opening price — seller is motivated, your offer sets the floor, not the list.
At projected returns (-3.0% appreciation + 8.0% rent growth), your $39k cash investment doubles in ~7 years — after that, you're playing with house money.
Climate carrying-cost: severe wind risk, 99% chance of damaging wind over 30y; extreme-heat days projected 7→25/yr by 2055 (HVAC capex compounding) — expect insurance premiums to compound above CPI over the hold.
Cap rate 10.1% vs local median 5.1% in Brownsville — 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.
At $1,781/mo this rent would consume 48% of the median local household income ($45k/yr) — very limited rent-growth headroom before tenants either downsize or default.
Questions for listing agent
It's been on market 181 days. Have you received any prior offers? Is the seller open to a 12% concession, seller financing, or rate buy-down credit?
Built in 1974 — when were the roof, HVAC, electrical panel, plumbing, and water heater last replaced?
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.
Crime grade is D 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?
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.
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.
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.
Repairs flagged (vision-AI assessment)
Minor: Painting
— Painted walls show some wear.
Minor: Kitchen cabinets
— Dark cabinets could be updated for a fresh look.
Minor: Bathroom vanity
— Standard fixtures could be replaced with more modern ones.
Minor: Exterior paint
— Painted siding shows some wear and could be refreshed.
Minor: Landscaping
— Landscaping appears maintained but not landscaped.
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