25301 5 Mile Rd #227

Detroit, MI 48239

$55,000C

2 bd · 1.0 ba · 887 sqft · Built 1965 · Condo · Active · 40 DOM

Cashflow @ list (25.0% down · 7.5%)

• Estimated rent: $1,165/mo
• Mortgage (P&I): −$288
• Tax + insurance: −$89
• HOA: −$451
• Vac / Maint / Mgmt: −$245
• Net cashflow: $93/mo
• Annual: $1,112/yr
• Cap rate: 8.31%
• Cash-on-cash: 7.22%
• DSCR: 1.32
• 1% rule: 2.12%
• Cash to close: $15,400

Investor read

• This is a 2-bed/1.0-bath condo listed at $55k.
• At list price, monthly cash flow is $93 ($1k/yr) — positive.
• The deal already cash-flows at list — no discount required.
• Meets the 1% rule at list price ($1k rent vs $55k).
• It's been on market 40 days — a 3% lower offer ($53k) is reasonable based on typical stale-listing flexibility.
• Recommended offer: $53k (3.0% below list) — sets the bar for market timing.
• Local home prices are declining (-3.0%/yr); year-one equity from $380 of loan paydown is wiped out by about $2k of value loss. Plan a longer hold.
• Location reads 73/100 on livability (#218 in MI) — a middle-class / working-renter tenant base. Strengths: amenities A+, commute A+, cost of living A+; Watch: crime F, employment F.
• Redford Union Schools District No. 1 (suburban): math 8% / reading 23% proficiency, ranked #489 of 540 in MI (top 91%) — low school quality limits family demand, transient renter base, plan for 1-2y turnover; 66% free/reduced lunch — lower-income household profile, screen leases tightly.
• Zoned schools: Beech Elementary (math 2% / reading 17%, grade F, #1,277 of 1,397 statewide, top 93%, 453 students, 83% FRL); Hilbert Middle School (math 8% / reading 25%, grade F, #446 of 493 statewide, top 90%, 398 students, 75% FRL); Redford Union High School (math 15% / reading 34%, grade F, #476 of 713 statewide, top 67%, 736 students, 70% FRL).
• Watch-outs: HOA is 39% of rent.
• Market conditions: Rents rising (+3.2%/yr); 193 active listings in the ZIP; 40 comparable units currently listed for rent nearby; rentals lingering (median 45d on market — plan ~5-8 weeks vacancy on turnover, expect pricing pressure); 88% of comp listings sitting > 30 days — soft ceiling on asking rent; 2,639 units permitted in Wayne County in 2024 (1,216 in 5+ unit buildings).
• Wayne County population projected at -17% by 2050 — secular population decline; favor cash flow + early exit over multi-decade hold.
• 5 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 $7k; list at $55k implies a 664% gain — meaningful room to come down on a strong offer.

Questions for listing agent

• It's been on market 40 days. Have you received any prior offers? Is the seller open to a 3% concession, seller financing, or rate buy-down credit?
• Built in 1965 — when were the roof, HVAC, electrical panel, plumbing, and water heater last replaced?
• 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?
• Is there a deadline driving the sale (1031 exchange, divorce, estate, relocation)? That informs how much negotiation room exists.
• 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?
• 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?
• 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.