1515 Arlington Ave · Bessemer, AL 35020

$59,900

3 bd · 1.0 ba · 1,336 sqft · SingleFamily public records · 181 Days on market

Built 1900 6,534 sqft lot $45/sqft · 27% below area Est $82k · 27% 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 +30.0/30.0
• ARV discount +15.0/15.0
• 1% rule +10.0/10.0
• DSCR +10.0/10.0
• Livability +3.0/5.0
• Condition / age +2.5/5.0
• Rent growth +1.7/5.0
• Schools +0.8/10.0
• Appreciation +0.0/10.0

Listing remarks MLS

Great Investment Opportunity! This 3-bedroom home offers strong potential for rental income or value-add renovation. Featuring a functional floor plan, spacious bedrooms, and solid bones, this property is ideal for investors looking to rehab.

Key facts

• 6,534 sq ft lot
• Built 1900
• Listed 181 days

What this means for you Summary

Snapshot

• This is a 3-bed/1.0-bath single-family listed at $60k.

Deal economics

• At list price, monthly cash flow is $472 ($6k/yr) — positive.
• The deal already cash-flows at list — no discount required.
• Meets the 1% rule at list price ($1k rent vs $60k).
• Recommended offer: $53k (12.0% below list) — sets the bar for market timing.
• Cap rate 15.8% vs local median 5.9% in Bessemer — 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 59/100 on livability (#331 in AL) — a working-class tenant base; expect higher turnover. Strengths: commute A+, cost of living A+, housing A; Watch: schools D-, crime F, amenities F.
• Bessemer City (suburban): math 3% / reading 19% proficiency, ranked #120 of 129 in AL (top 93%) — low school quality limits family demand, transient renter base, plan for 1-2y turnover; 87% free/reduced lunch — lower-income household profile, screen leases tightly.
• Market conditions: Rents falling (-3.1%/yr); 115 active listings in the ZIP; 28 comparable units currently listed for rent nearby; rentals at typical pace (median 24d on market — plan ~3-4 weeks tenant-placement turnaround); lower-income renter base — watch delinquency; 2,114 units permitted in Jefferson County in 2024 (556 in 5+ unit buildings).
• This rent runs 38% of the median local income ($35k/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 $414 of loan paydown is wiped out by about $2k of value loss. Plan a longer hold.
• Jefferson County population projected to shrink 4% by 2050 — rents likely to lag national; underwrite the cash flow, not the appreciation.
• At projected returns (-3.0% appreciation + 0.0% rent growth), your $17k cash investment doubles in ~4 years — after that, you're playing with house money.

Negotiation context

• It's been on market 181 days — a 12% lower offer ($53k) is reasonable based on typical stale-listing flexibility.
• 3 sale attempts since 5y ago; this cycle's ask has dropped $15k (20%) from the opening price — seller is motivated, your offer sets the floor, not the list.

Risks & watch-outs

• Watch-outs: built in 1900 — expect roof / HVAC / electrical / plumbing capex.
• Climate carrying-cost: major wind risk, 35% chance of damaging wind over 30y; extreme-heat days projected 7→20/yr by 2055 (HVAC capex compounding) — expect insurance premiums to compound above CPI over the hold.

Recommended offer $52,712 (12.0% below list)

Questions for the listing agent

1. 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?
2. Built in 1900 — when were the roof, HVAC, electrical panel, plumbing, and water heater last replaced?
3. Why hasn't it sold? Are there any deal-killer items the seller is aware of (foundation, flood, title, zoning, code violations)?
4. Is there a deadline driving the sale (1031 exchange, divorce, estate, relocation)? That informs how much negotiation room exists.
5. 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?
6. 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?
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: 1.88% ✓
• Cap rate: 15.76%
• Cash-on-cash: 33.80%
• DSCR: 2.50
• GRM: 4.4

CMA / ARV

• ARV (median comp): $81,505
• List price: $59,900
• Delta: -26.51%
• Verdict: UNDERPRICED
• Comps: 20 within 1.0 mi

Show comp detail 12 sales within ~0.75 mi

Address	Dist	Beds/Ba	Sqft	Sold	Price	$/sf	Match
1615 Dartmouth Ave	0.27mi	3/1.0	1,186 (-11%)	4mo	$47,500	$40	65
419 19th St S	0.46mi	3/2.0	1,430 (+7%)	1mo	$28,000	$20	62
529 12th St N	0.61mi	3/2.0	1,347 (+1%)	10mo	$90,000	$67	58
1607 Holbrook Ave	0.62mi	3/2.0	1,264 (-5%)	5mo	$31,000	$25	54
1506 Avenue I	0.64mi	3/2.0	1,312 (-2%)	12mo	$141,000	$107	53
1711 Holbrook Ave	0.64mi	3/2.0	1,300 (-3%)	11mo	$124,000	$95	53
1500 7th Ave N	0.67mi	3/2.0	1,421 (+6%)	3mo	$46,000	$32	52
1625 Holbrook Ave	0.63mi	3/2.0	1,288 (-4%)	14mo	$123,500	$96	49
820 N 3rd Ave	0.71mi	3/1.5	1,288 (-4%)	17mo	$23,200	$18	45
802 Clarendon Ave	0.67mi	2/2.0 (-1)	1,214 (-9%)	5mo	$106,000	$87	40
2306 Clarendon Ave	0.73mi	3/2.0	1,492 (+12%)	5mo	$10,000	$7	38
2232 Dartmouth Ave	0.72mi	3/1.0	1,176 (-12%)	16mo	$79,900	$68	33

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: 25.7%
• Equity multiple: 2.02×
• Total profit: $17,099
• Equity at exit: $8,931

10-year hold

• IRR: 31.5%
• Equity multiple: 3.44×
• Total profit: $40,953
• Equity at exit: $5,179

Cash invested: $16,772 (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 35020

• Home prices YoY: -24.2%
• Rents YoY: -3.1%
• Active inventory: 115
• Price-to-rent: 4.4×

Monthly cashflow live

• Estimated rent: $1,126 high
• Mortgage (P&I): −$314
• Tax from tax record: −$78 /mo · $940/yr
• Insurance: −$25
• HOA: −$0
• Vacancy / Maint / Mgmt: −$237
• Net cashflow: $472

Break-even live

Break-even rent $528

Max offer price $59,900

Occupancy floor 53%

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: $14,975
• Closing costs: $1,797
• Reserves months: —
• Total cash needed: —

Rent comps 28 comps

Address	Beds	Baths	Sqft	Rent	$/sqft	DOM	Units	Dist
320 16th St S Bessemer, AL	3.0	1.5	1792	$950	$0.53	43d	1	0.21mi
1307 3rd Ave N Bessemer, AL	4.0	1.0	960	$1,200	$1.25	43d	1	0.37mi
1622 Fairfax Ave Bessemer, AL	2.0	2.0	1104	$995	$0.90	2d	1	0.42mi
420 19th St S Bessemer, AL	2.0	1.0	910	$850	$0.93	43d	1	0.42mi
1830 Exeter Ave Bessemer, AL	2.0	1.0	913	$850	$0.93	43d	1	0.44mi
419 19th St S Bessemer, AL	3.0	2.0	1200	$1,050	$0.88	11d	1	0.45mi
1811 Fairfax Ave Bessemer, AL	4.0	2.0	1732	$1,350	$0.78	23d	1	0.52mi
931 Dartmouth Ave Bessemer, AL	3.0	1.0	984	$925	$0.94	43d	1	0.56mi
1600 Holbrook Ave Bessemer, AL	3.0	1.0	885	$999	$1.13	2d	1	0.58mi
1909 Holbrook Ave Bessemer, AL	2.0	1.0	1064	$930	$0.87	43d	1	0.71mi
719 16th St N Bessemer, AL	3.0	1.5	1085	$1,075	$0.99	23d	1	0.72mi
810 Fairfax Ave Bessemer, AL	3.0	1.0	1042	$1,050	$1.01	23d	1	0.74mi
808 Fairfax Ave Bessemer, AL	3.0	1.0	1042	$1,050	$1.01	23d	1	0.75mi
830 5th Ave N Bessemer, AL	3.0	1.0	1072	$1,000	$0.93	43d	1	0.77mi
806 4th Ave N Bessemer, AL	3.0	1.0	1092	$1,050	$0.96	23d	1	0.79mi
817 15th St N Bessemer, AL	3.0	2.0	1116	$1,125	$1.01	3d	1	0.80mi
434 Bryant St Bessemer, AL	4.0	2.0	1540	$1,523	$0.99	3d	1	0.95mi
704 Avenue I Bessemer, AL	3.0	1.0	1232	$1,200	$0.97	23d	1	0.97mi
1015 11th St N Bessemer, AL	2.0	1.0	876	$975	$1.11	11d	1	1.05mi
300 Norwood Ave Bessemer, AL	3.0	1.0	966	$900	$0.93	11d	1	1.20mi
300 Norwood Ave Bessemer, AL	3.0	1.0	966	$1,000	$1.04	23d	1	1.20mi
200 Center St Bessemer, AL	3.0	1.5	1826	$1,200	$0.66	10d	1	1.22mi
531 W Lake Dr Bessemer, AL	3.0	1.0	1014	$1,200	$1.18	3d	1	1.25mi
510 W Lake Dr Bessemer, AL	3.0	1.0	950	$1,025	$1.08	16d	1	1.27mi
512 W Lake Dr Bessemer, AL	3.0	1.0	944	$1,125	$1.19	11d	1	1.27mi
18 Center St Bessemer, AL	3.0	1.0	1418	$1,100	$0.78	43d	1	1.28mi
10 Center St Bessemer, AL	3.0	1.0	1152	$1,000	$0.87	43d	1	1.30mi
236 Clifton St Bessemer, AL	3.0	1.0	1450	$1,100	$0.76	43d	1	1.32mi

Listing history 30 events

1. 2026-06-18
   days on market $59,900 Active 181 DOM
2. 2026-06-17
   days on market $59,900 Active 180 DOM
3. 2026-06-16
   days on market $59,900 Active 179 DOM
4. 2026-06-15
   days on market $59,900 Active 178 DOM
5. 2026-06-13
   days on market $59,900 Active 176 DOM
6. 2026-06-10
   days on market $59,900 Active 173 DOM
7. 2026-06-09
   days on market $59,900 Active 172 DOM
8. 2026-06-08
   days on market $59,900 Active 171 DOM
9. 2026-06-07
   days on market $59,900 Active 170 DOM
10. 2026-06-05
    days on market $59,900 Active 167 DOM
11. 2026-06-03
    days on market $59,900 Active 166 DOM
12. 2026-06-02
    days on market $59,900 Active 165 DOM
13. 2026-06-01
    days on market $59,900 Active 164 DOM
14. 2026-05-31
    days on market $59,900 Active 163 DOM
15. 2026-05-09
    price $59,900 242-char remark

    Show marketing remark (242 chars)

    Great Investment Opportunity! This 3-bedroom home offers strong potential for rental income or value-add renovation. Featuring a functional floor plan, spacious bedrooms, and solid bones, this property is ideal for investors looking to rehab.

16. 2026-02-12
    price $69,000 242-char remark

    Show marketing remark (242 chars)

    Great Investment Opportunity! This 3-bedroom home offers strong potential for rental income or value-add renovation. Featuring a functional floor plan, spacious bedrooms, and solid bones, this property is ideal for investors looking to rehab.

17. 2025-12-19
    listed $74,900 Active 242-char remark

    Show marketing remark (242 chars)

    Great Investment Opportunity! This 3-bedroom home offers strong potential for rental income or value-add renovation. Featuring a functional floor plan, spacious bedrooms, and solid bones, this property is ideal for investors looking to rehab.

18. 2025-03-11
    soldstatus $65,500
19. 2022-12-27
    soldstatus $49,500
20. 2021-05-17
    soldstatus $36,000 Sold 228-char remark

    Show marketing remark (228 chars)

    NEW PRICE!! INVESTORS! If you are looking for an instant cash flowing investment, look no further. This property is currently rented for $675 per month. Current lease will expire on 5/31/21. 48 hour notice required for showings.

21. 2021-04-23
    historical Contingent 228-char remark

    Show marketing remark (228 chars)

    NEW PRICE!! INVESTORS! If you are looking for an instant cash flowing investment, look no further. This property is currently rented for $675 per month. Current lease will expire on 5/31/21. 48 hour notice required for showings.

22. 2021-04-10
    price $40,000 228-char remark

    Show marketing remark (228 chars)

    NEW PRICE!! INVESTORS! If you are looking for an instant cash flowing investment, look no further. This property is currently rented for $675 per month. Current lease will expire on 5/31/21. 48 hour notice required for showings.

23. 2021-04-09
    status Active 228-char remark

    Show marketing remark (228 chars)

    NEW PRICE!! INVESTORS! If you are looking for an instant cash flowing investment, look no further. This property is currently rented for $675 per month. Current lease will expire on 5/31/21. 48 hour notice required for showings.

24. 2021-03-09
    historical Contingent 228-char remark

    Show marketing remark (228 chars)

    NEW PRICE!! INVESTORS! If you are looking for an instant cash flowing investment, look no further. This property is currently rented for $675 per month. Current lease will expire on 5/31/21. 48 hour notice required for showings.

25. 2021-02-26
    listed $55,000 Active 228-char remark

    Show marketing remark (228 chars)

    NEW PRICE!! INVESTORS! If you are looking for an instant cash flowing investment, look no further. This property is currently rented for $675 per month. Current lease will expire on 5/31/21. 48 hour notice required for showings.

26. 2021-02-20
    historical $55,000 228-char remark

    Show marketing remark (228 chars)

    NEW PRICE!! INVESTORS! If you are looking for an instant cash flowing investment, look no further. This property is currently rented for $675 per month. Current lease will expire on 5/31/21. 48 hour notice required for showings.

27. 2016-06-01
    soldstatus $47,500
28. 2015-07-23
    soldstatus $49,000
29. 1992-11-25
    soldstatus $27,000
30. 1979-04-01
    soldstatus $21,000

ⓘ 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: $940 · $78/mo
• Projected year-2 tax: $940 · $78/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 2/10 Low
• 🌡 Heat 7/10 Severe 7 d/yr ≥108°F today · 20 d/yr by 30 yrs out
• 💨 Wind 6/10 Major 35% chance of damaging wind over 30 yrs
• 🫁 Air quality 3/10 Moderate 2 unhealthy d/yr today · 5 by 30 yrs out

Taxation est. · year 1

• Rental income: $13,516
• − Mortgage interest: −$3,355
• − Property taxes: −$940
• − Insurance: −$300
• − Repairs & maintenance: −$1,081
• − Management: −$1,081
• − Depreciation: −$1,743
• Taxable income: $5,016
• Est. tax owed @ 24.0%: −$1,204
• After-tax cash flow: $4,465/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: Bessemer City
• NCES district ID: 0100330
• Math proficiency: 3% ▼ -18.00%
• Reading proficiency: 19% ▼ -3.00%
• Median HH income: $29,721
• Composite: 8.45/100
• National rank: #9905
• State rank: #120 of 129 in AL

Livability — Bessemer

• Score: 59/100
• State rank: #331
• US rank: #20078

Category grades

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

Schools grade is shown separately in the Schools card above.

Census & demographics

• Census place: Bessemer, AL
• County: Jefferson County · 527,445 people
• City population: 48,018
• Metro: Birmingham-Hoover, AL
• Population (ZIP): 24,892
• Household income: $35,362
• Rent vs Own: 40.6% rent · 59.4% own
• Severe rent burden: 1001.0

Population outlook (Jefferson County) Hauer SSP2

• Today (2025): 669,185 people
• By 2030: 669,694 · +0.1%
• By 2040: 661,388 · -1.2%
• By 2050: 643,086 · -3.9%
• By 2075: 577,267 · -13.7%
• By 2100: 474,758 · -29.1%

Race, ethnicity, and origin ACS 2023

• Neighborhood character: Predominantly Black (74%)
• Race & ethnicity: Black 74% Hispanic / Latino 13% White 11% Two or more races 6%
• Hispanic origin (detail): Mexican 10%
• Foreign-born: 5% · Canada
• Languages at home: 89% English-only · Spanish 11%

Political lean MEDSL · Jefferson

• 2024 margin: D (+10.4) · D 54.6% · R 44.2% · Other 1.2%
• 2008→2024 swing: +5.4pp toward D · 2008: 5.1pp · 2024: 10.4pp
• All cycles: 2024: D+10.4 2020: D+13.2 2016: D+7.2 2012: D+6.0 2008: D+5.1

Not yet ingested

• Civics: —

Market trends

• HPI YoY: ▼ -57.54%
• Current HPI: 179.7702
• Rent YoY: ▼ -3.12%
• Metro: Birmingham-Hoover, 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

+185.2% since first listed

16 events — show timeline

• 2026-05-09 Price Changed $59,900 Greater Alabama MLS
• 2026-02-12 Price Changed $69,000 Greater Alabama MLS
• 2025-12-19 Listed $74,900 Greater Alabama MLS
• 2025-03-11 Sold (Public Records) $65,500 Public Records
• 2022-12-27 Sold (Public Records) $49,500 Public Records
• 2021-05-17 Sold (MLS) $36,000 Greater Alabama MLS
• 2021-04-23 Contingent — Greater Alabama MLS
• 2021-04-10 Price Changed $40,000 Greater Alabama MLS
• 2021-04-09 Relisted — Greater Alabama MLS
• 2021-03-09 Contingent — Greater Alabama MLS
• 2021-02-26 Listed $55,000 Greater Alabama MLS
• 2021-02-20 Coming Soon $55,000 Greater Alabama MLS
• 2016-06-01 Sold (Public Records) $47,500 Public Records
• 2015-07-23 Sold (Public Records) $49,000 Public Records
• 1992-11-25 Sold (Public Records) $27,000 Public Records
• 1979-04-01 Sold (Public Records) $21,000 Public Records

Property tax history

+4.0%/yr

Latest (2025): $940 · +4.4% YoY. Source: county tax records.