3909 Richland Dr NW · Huntsville, AL 35810

$160,000

4 bd · 1.0 ba · 1,800 sqft · SingleFamily public records · 13 Days on market

Built 1962 0.31 ac lot Est $230k · 31% under

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Why this score? — see what drove the B- 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 +27.1/30.0
• ARV discount +15.0/15.0
• DSCR +9.4/10.0
• 1% rule +6.2/10.0
• Livability +4.1/5.0
• Schools +2.9/10.0
• Rent growth +2.5/5.0
• Condition / age +2.5/5.0
• Appreciation +0.0/10.0

Listing remarks

Don't miss out on this great opportunity for an investor or buyer looking to add their personal touch! This 4-bedroom, 1-bath home offers plenty of living space with a separate den, spacious living room, and eat-in kitchen. Featuring solid potential and a functional layout, this property is perfect for a renovation project or rental investment. Conveniently located with room to customize and make it your own. Sold as-is. Great fixer-upper opportunity with endless possibilities!

Key facts

• 0.31 acre lot
• Built 1962
• Listed 13 days

Property features AI

Finance

• Other: Lot size approximately 0.31 acres; Living area approximately 1,800
• HOA & community: No homeowners association; Subdivision: The Highlands

Exterior

• Parking: Concrete driveway
• Utilities: Public water; Public sewer; Electric service
• Home design: Single-family residence; One level; Built in 1962
• Construction: Brick construction
• Exterior features: Public water; Public sewer

Interior

• Kitchen: Range; Dishwasher
• Bathrooms: 1 full bathroom
• Heating & cooling: Central heating; Central cooling
• Interior features: Crawl space basement; 7 total rooms
• Laundry & utility: Electric water heater

What this means for you Summary

Snapshot

• This is a 4-bed/1.0-bath single-family listed at $160k.

Deal economics

• At list price, monthly cash flow is $451 ($5k/yr) — positive.
• The deal already cash-flows at list — no discount required.
• Meets the 1% rule at list price ($2k rent vs $160k).
• Cap rate 9.7% vs local median 3.8% in Huntsville — 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 82/100 on livability (#3 in AL, #1,082 nationally) — a professional / high-income tenant draw. Strengths: commute A+, cost of living A+, housing A+; Watch: crime F.
• Huntsville City (urban): math 21% / reading 46% proficiency, ranked #48 of 129 in AL (top 37%) — families likely to look elsewhere, expect single-tenant / working-renter base with shorter leases.
• Zoned schools: Highlands Elementary School (math 2% / reading 27%, grade F, #508 of 627 statewide, top 84%, 371 students, 83% FRL); Jemison High School (math 12% / reading 12%, grade F, #242 of 305 statewide, top 80%, 843 students, 64% FRL) — zoned schools average 74% FRL vs 46% district-wide (28 pts higher); higher-poverty schools than district average — tighter screening recommended.
• Zoned-school proficiency averages 13% at this address vs 34% district-wide (-20 pts) — the specific schools serving this property underperform the Huntsville City average; the district grade overstates school quality for this exact location.
• Market conditions: Rents soft (-0.1%/yr); 337 active listings in the ZIP; 32 comparable units currently listed for rent nearby; rentals at typical pace (median 24d on market — plan ~3-4 weeks tenant-placement turnaround); 44% of comp listings sitting > 30 days — soft ceiling on asking rent; 4,709 units permitted in Madison County in 2024 (1,186 in 5+ unit buildings).
• This rent runs 42% of the median local income ($51k/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 $1k of loan paydown is wiped out by about $5k of value loss. Plan a longer hold.
• Madison County population projected at +18% by 2050 — long-run rental-demand tailwind backs the buy-and-hold thesis.

Negotiation context

• Only 13 days on market — expect competitive offers; lowballing is unlikely to land.

Risks & watch-outs

• Climate carrying-cost: extreme-heat days projected 7→19/yr by 2055 (HVAC capex compounding) — expect insurance premiums to compound above CPI over the hold.

Recommended offer $160,000

Questions for the listing agent

1. Built in 1962 — when were the roof, HVAC, electrical panel, plumbing, and water heater last replaced?
2. Is there a deadline driving the sale (1031 exchange, divorce, estate, relocation)? That informs how much negotiation room exists.
3. 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?
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. 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: 1.12% ✓
• Cap rate: 9.67%
• Cash-on-cash: 12.08%
• DSCR: 1.54
• GRM: 7.4

CMA / ARV

• ARV (on-the-fly): $230,400
• Comps found: 12

Show comp detail 12 sales within ~0.75 mi

Address	Dist	Beds/Ba	Sqft	Sold	Price	$/sf	Match
2532 Brookline Dr	0.10mi	3/2.0 (-1)	1,800 (0%)	5mo	$232,500	$129	82
3910 Shamrock Dr NW	0.19mi	4/2.0	1,672 (-7%)	4mo	$230,000	$138	72
3911 Sparkman Dr	0.30mi	3/2.0 (-1)	1,812 (+1%)	8mo	$188,000	$104	69
3508 Purdy Dr NW	0.56mi	4/2.0	1,800 (0%)	3mo	$230,000	$128	68
2416 Redmont Rd NW	0.39mi	4/2.0	1,629 (-10%)	2mo	$135,000	$83	61
3701 Broadmor Rd NW	0.36mi	3/2.0 (-1)	1,627 (-10%)	1mo	$208,000	$128	58
2415 Suzanne Ter NW	0.50mi	3/2.0 (-1)	1,718 (-5%)	9mo	$251,000	$146	52
2209 Laverne Dr NW	0.67mi	3/1.0 (-1)	1,728 (-4%)	10mo	$230,000	$133	49
3711 Mcewen Dr NW	0.65mi	3/2.0 (-1)	1,894 (+5%)	11mo	$210,000	$111	43
3308 Barton St	0.56mi	3/2.0 (-1)	1,589 (-12%)	3mo	$135,000	$85	43
5016 Lori Cir NW	0.60mi	4/2.0	2,037 (+13%)	4mo	$240,000	$118	43
3619 Hester Ln	0.67mi	3/2.0 (-1)	1,589 (-12%)	11mo	$125,000	$79	32

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 · 0.0% rent growth · sell at horizon

5-year hold

• IRR: -1.5%
• Equity multiple: 0.94×
• Total profit: $-2,521
• Equity at exit: $23,857

10-year hold

• IRR: 4.9%
• Equity multiple: 1.32×
• Total profit: $14,245
• Equity at exit: $13,834

Cash invested: $44,800 (down + closing). Projections, not guarantees.

Landlord ↔ Tenant lean methodology

• Overall (STATE): 90 Strongly Landlord-Friendly
• State Alabama: 90 Strongly Landlord-Friendly · R+15
• County: — inherits STATE
• City: — inherits STATE

Right-to-evict in 7 days for non-payment; no rent control; preempted statewide; courts move quickly.

Methodology + full state rankings →

ZIP-level market 35810

• Home prices YoY: -23.5%
• Rents YoY: -0.1%
• Active inventory: 337
• Price-to-rent: 7.4×

Monthly cashflow live

• Estimated rent: $1,792 high
• Mortgage (P&I): −$839
• Tax from tax record: −$59 /mo · $708/yr
• Insurance: −$67
• HOA: −$0
• Vacancy / Maint / Mgmt: −$376
• Net cashflow: $451

Break-even live

Break-even rent $1,221

Max offer price $160,000

Occupancy floor 70%

Sensitivity live

Price	-10% $541	-5% $496	+0% $451	+5% $406	+10% $360
Rent	-10% $309	-5% $380	+0% $451	+5% $522	+10% $592
Rate	-1.0pp $531	-0.5pp $492	base $451	+0.5pp $409	+1.0pp $367

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: $40,000
• Closing costs: $4,800
• Reserves months: —
• Total cash needed: —

Rent comps 32 comps

Address	Beds	Baths	Sqft	Rent	$/sqft	DOM	Units	Dist
2215 Shady Lane Dr NW Huntsville, AL	4.0	1.0	1450	$1,500	$1.03	44d	1	0.19mi
4700 Sparkman Dr NW Huntsville, AL	3.0	1.5	1554	$1,350	$0.87	24d	1	0.23mi
2201 Shady Lane Dr NW Huntsville, AL	3.0	1.5	1472	$3,000	$2.04	44d	1	0.30mi
3721 Broadmor Rd NW Huntsville, AL	3.0	1.5	1423	$1,450	$1.02	44d	1	0.36mi
4214 Fortson Ln NW Huntsville, AL	3.0	2.0	1308	$1,395	$1.07	44d	1	0.37mi
3309 Charleston Ave NW Huntsville, AL	3.0	2.0	1425	$1,375	$0.96	21d	1	0.57mi
4216 Chalet Cir NW Huntsville, AL	3.0	2.0	1296	$1,500	$1.16	24d	1	0.59mi
3303 Barton Ave NW Huntsville, AL	3.0	2.0	1750	$1,600	$0.91	44d	1	0.61mi
3203 Dyas Dr NW Huntsville, AL	3.0	2.0	1346	$2,100	$1.56	24d	1	0.67mi
3304 Caywood Dr NW Huntsville, AL	3.0	1.5	1300	$1,475	$1.13	24d	1	0.70mi
3616 Hester Ln NW Huntsville, AL	4.0	2.0	1650	$1,350	$0.82	44d	1	0.72mi
2113 Wimberly Rd NW Huntsville, AL	5.0	2.5	1790	$2,100	$1.17	24d	1	0.74mi
2113 Wimberly Rd NW Huntsville, AL	5.0	2.5	1790	$1,900	$1.06	14d	1	0.74mi
2613 Skyline Dr NW Huntsville, AL	4.0	2.0	1572	$1,695	$1.08	24d	1	0.77mi
3415 Mimosa Ln NW Huntsville, AL	3.0	2.0	1320	$1,590	$1.20	44d	1	0.78mi
3406 Oakmont Ave NW Huntsville, AL	3.0	2.0	1389	$1,600	$1.15	44d	1	0.82mi
3306 Reynolds Dr NW Huntsville, AL	3.0	2.0	1636	$1,800	$1.10	24d	1	0.87mi
3304 Buttrey Dr NW Huntsville, AL	4.0	2.0	1656	$1,681	$1.02	24d	1	0.92mi
4706 Whitehall Dr NW Huntsville, AL	3.0	2.0	1469	$1,550	$1.06	21d	1	0.96mi
1711 Lydia Dr NW Huntsville, AL	4.0	2.5	2268	$2,000	$0.88	14d	1	0.99mi
3505 Mastin Lake Rd NW Huntsville, AL	3.0	2.0	1376	$2,000	$1.45	44d	1	1.05mi
6008 Ellington Rd NW Huntsville, AL	4.0	2.5	1845	$1,595	$0.86	44d	1	1.10mi
3606 Crestmore Ave NW Huntsville, AL	4.0	2.0	1275	$1,400	$1.10	21d	1	1.10mi
2712 Garvin Rd NW Huntsville, AL	4.0	2.0	2528	$1,975	$0.78	14d	1	1.12mi
2712 Garvin Rd NW Huntsville, AL	4.0	2.0	2528	$2,000	$0.79	44d	1	1.12mi
2707 Garvin Rd NW Huntsville, AL	4.0	2.0	2284	$1,450	$0.63	24d	1	1.15mi
6015 Kimbrell Ln NW Huntsville, AL	4.0	2.5	1958	$2,300	$1.17	44d	1	1.15mi
3503 Crestmore Cir NW Huntsville, AL	3.0	2.0	2115	$1,475	$0.70	14d	1	1.16mi
1801 Carson Ln NW Huntsville, AL	3.0	3.0	1405	$2,000	$1.42	14d	1	1.19mi
2502 Hill St NW Huntsville, AL	3.0	1.0	1288	$1,200	$0.93	44d	1	1.21mi
2416 Hanover Dr NW Huntsville, AL	3.0	2.0	1300	$1,395	$1.07	44d	1	1.45mi
3205 Lewisburg Dr NW Huntsville, AL	3.0	2.0	1408	$1,600	$1.14	24d	1	1.47mi

Listing history 7 events

1. 2026-06-07
   statusdays on market $160,000 Pending 13 DOM
2. 2026-06-03
   days on market $160,000 Active 12 DOM
3. 2026-06-02
   days on market $160,000 Active 11 DOM
4. 2026-06-01
   days on market $160,000 Active 10 DOM
5. 2026-05-31
   days on market $160,000 Active 9 DOM
6. 2026-05-30
   days on market $160,000 Active 8 DOM
7. 2026-05-22
   listed $160,000 Active

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

Tax reassessment forecast AL · Resets to sale price

• Current annual tax: $708 · $59/mo
• Projected year-2 tax: $708 · $59/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 6/10 Major 7 d/yr ≥105°F today · 19 d/yr by 30 yrs out
• 💨 Wind 4/10 Moderate 18% chance of damaging wind over 30 yrs
• 🫁 Air quality 2/10 Low 1 unhealthy d/yr today · 1 by 30 yrs out

Taxation est. · year 1

• Rental income: $21,503
• − Mortgage interest: −$8,962
• − Property taxes: −$708
• − Insurance: −$800
• − Repairs & maintenance: −$1,720
• − Management: −$1,720
• − Depreciation: −$4,655
• Taxable income: $2,937
• Est. tax owed @ 24.0%: −$705
• After-tax cash flow: $4,706/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: Huntsville City
• NCES district ID: 0101800
• Math proficiency: 21% ▼ -23.00%
• Reading proficiency: 46% ▬ 0.00%
• Median HH income: $48,264
• Composite: 28.84/100
• National rank: #6647
• State rank: #48 of 129 in AL

Livability — Huntsville

• Score: 82/100
• State rank: #3
• US rank: #1082

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: Huntsville, AL
• County: Madison County · 380,832 people
• City population: 220,435
• Metro: Huntsville, AL
• Population (ZIP): 32,843
• Household income: $51,233
• Rent vs Own: 36.6% rent · 63.4% own
• Severe rent burden: 1223.0

Population outlook (Madison County) Hauer SSP2

• Today (2025): 392,086 people
• By 2030: 409,788 · +4.5%
• By 2040: 440,557 · +12.4%
• By 2050: 460,990 · +17.6%
• By 2075: 502,872 · +28.3%
• By 2100: 513,623 · +31.0%

Race, ethnicity, and origin ACS 2023

• Neighborhood character: Predominantly Black (69%)
• Race & ethnicity: Black 69% White 18% Hispanic / Latino 9% Two or more races 5%
• Hispanic origin (detail): Mexican 3% Puerto Rican 2% Dominican 2%
• Common ancestry: Italian 2% Lithuanian 0%
• Foreign-born: 6% · Canada
• Languages at home: 92% English-only · Spanish 7%

Political lean MEDSL · Madison

• 2024 margin: Lean R (+9.0) · D 44.7% · R 53.7% · Other 1.6%
• 2008→2024 swing: +6.0pp toward D · 2008: -14.9pp · 2024: -9.0pp
• All cycles: 2024: R+9.0 2020: R+8.0 2016: R+16.8 2012: R+18.7 2008: R+14.9

Not yet ingested

• Civics: —

Market trends

• HPI YoY: ▼ -61.00%
• Current HPI: 198.9629
• Rent YoY: ▬ -0.05%
• Metro: Huntsville, AL
• State GDP YoY: ▲ 2.94%
• F500 in state: 4

Industry mix (Fortune 500 HQ in AL)

Industry	F500 HQs	Revenue
▸Financial Services	1	$8B
▸Healthcare	1	$5B

Price history

1 event — show timeline

• 2026-05-22 Listed $160,000 VMLS

Property tax history

+10.6%/yr

Latest (2024): $708 · +4.1% YoY. Source: county tax records.