1125 J Ave Ave NW · Cedar Rapids, IA 52405

$165,000

2 bd · 1.0 ba · 1,140 sqft · SingleFamily public records · 3 Days on market

Built 1950 6,098 sqft lot Est $165k · 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 +9.1/30.0
• ARV discount +7.6/15.0
• Rent growth +5.0/5.0
• Schools +4.7/10.0
• Livability +3.9/5.0
• 1% rule +2.8/10.0
• DSCR +2.5/10.0
• Condition / age +2.5/5.0
• Appreciation +0.0/10.0

Listing remarks MLS

Turnkey charm meets everyday comfort in this inviting 1.5-story home—ready for its next chapter! Enjoy recent updates throughout, including stylish vinyl wood-look flooring in the kitchen, family room, hallway, and bath. The updated oak kitchen offers warmth and functionality with newer appliances and a smart refrigerator, while the bathroom features beautiful large gray tile in the shower. New carpet in the main-level bedrooms add to the clean, move-in-ready feel. Step outside to a fully fenced backyard with an expansive deck—perfect for entertaining or giving pets room to run. Upstairs, a bonus attic space of approximately 300 square feet offers endless potential for the third bedroom, office, or creative retreat. The basement is exceptionally clean and dry, and the sewer line has already been scoped with no Orangeburg. Alley access provides a 1-stall detached garage plus additional parking. Pool and Pool Equipment to Remain. This home truly checks the boxes—come see if it’s your perfect match!

Key facts

• 6,098 sq ft lot
• Parking
• Built 1950

What this means for you Summary

Snapshot

• This is a 2-bed/1.0-bath single-family listed at $165k.

Deal economics

• At list price, monthly cash flow is $-128 ($-2k/yr) — negative.
• To cash-flow at today's rent, offer at most $142k (13.7% below list).
• To meet the 1% rule (rent ≥ 1% of price), the offer needs to be $129k (21.8% below list).
• Recommended offer: $129k (21.8% below list) — sets the bar for 1% rule.
• Cap rate 5.4% vs local median 3.5% in Cedar Rapids — 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 78/100 on livability (#134 in IA, #2,474 nationally) — a middle-class / working-renter tenant base. Strengths: cost of living A+, housing A+, health & safety A+; Watch: crime C-, commute F.
• Cedar Rapids Community School District (urban): math 50% / reading 59% proficiency, ranked #265 of 289 in IA (top 92%) — acceptable for families but not a draw, mixed tenant base, ~2y average lease.
• Zoned schools: Harrison Elementary School (math 37% / reading 42%, grade F, #579 of 616 statewide, top 95%, 285 students, 78% FRL); Roosevelt Creative Corridor Business Academy (math 36% / reading 47%, grade F, #235 of 246 statewide, top 96%, 510 students, 69% FRL); Thomas Jefferson High School (math 41% / reading 62%, grade D+, #307 of 336 statewide, top 91%, 1,543 students, 56% FRL) — zoned schools average 68% FRL vs 43% district-wide (24 pts higher); higher-poverty schools than district average — tighter screening recommended.
• Market conditions: Rents rising fast (+12.4%/yr); 148 active listings in the ZIP; 4 comparable units currently listed for rent nearby; rentals at typical pace (median 15d on market — plan ~3-4 weeks tenant-placement turnaround); 1,023 units permitted in Linn County in 2024 (456 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.
• Linn County population projected at +16% by 2050 — long-run rental-demand tailwind backs the buy-and-hold thesis.

Negotiation context

• Only 3 days on market — expect competitive offers; lowballing is unlikely to land.
• 4 sale attempts since 9y 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 $120k; 38% above their basis — modest negotiation headroom, anchor on the comps not their cost.

Risks & watch-outs

• Watch-outs: built in 1950 — expect roof / HVAC / electrical / plumbing capex.

Recommended offer $128,986 (21.8% 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 1950 — 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 B-rated — typically a magnet for longer-tenancy family renters. What's the average tenant stay here, and is there a school-zone premium baked into asking?
5. 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?
6. 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.
7. 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.
8. 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: 0.78% ✗
• Cap rate: 5.36%
• Cash-on-cash: -3.33%
• DSCR: 0.85
• GRM: 10.7

CMA / ARV

• ARV (on-the-fly): $165,300
• Comps found: 12

Show comp detail 12 sales within ~0.75 mi

Address	Dist	Beds/Ba	Sqft	Sold	Price	$/sf	Match
1125 J Ave Ave NW	0.00mi	3/1.0 (+1)	1,140 (0%)	1mo	$165,000	$145	94
1121 11th St NW	0.10mi	3/1.0 (+1)	1,164 (+2%)	1mo	$135,000	$116	86
927 G Ave Ave NW	0.22mi	3/1.0 (+1)	1,134 (-0%)	1mo	$189,000	$167	83
816 9th St NW	0.21mi	2/2.0	1,099 (-4%)	3mo	$169,900	$155	78
514 9th St St NW	0.40mi	2/2.0	1,176 (+3%)	1mo	$185,000	$157	71
1222 8th St NW	0.28mi	3/1.0 (+1)	1,016 (-11%)	6mo	$70,000	$69	58
290 Highland Dr NW	0.61mi	2/2.0	1,170 (+3%)	6mo	$146,500	$125	58
1024 Cheyenne Rd Rd NW	0.37mi	3/2.0 (+1)	1,246 (+9%)	2mo	$190,000	$152	57
911 A Ave NW	0.65mi	3/1.0 (+1)	1,284 (+13%)	2mo	$75,000	$58	42
1221 A Ave	0.72mi	2/1.0	972 (-15%)	0mo	$19,000	$20	42
235 Highland Dr NW	0.71mi	3/1.0 (+1)	1,260 (+10%)	5mo	$162,500	$129	40
1724 O Ave NW	0.75mi	3/2.0 (+1)	1,222 (+7%)	5mo	$225,000	$184	40

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: -16.4%
• Equity multiple: 0.39×
• Total profit: $-28,051
• Equity at exit: $24,602

10-year hold

• IRR: -1.0%
• Equity multiple: 0.92×
• Total profit: $-3,805
• Equity at exit: $14,266

Cash invested: $46,200 (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 52405

• Rents YoY: 12.4%
• Active inventory: 148
• Price-to-rent: 10.7×

Monthly cashflow live

• Estimated rent: $1,290 medium
• Mortgage (P&I): −$865
• Tax from tax record: −$213 /mo · $2,556/yr
• Insurance: −$69
• HOA: −$0
• Vacancy / Maint / Mgmt: −$271
• Net cashflow: $-128

Break-even live

Break-even rent $1,452

Max offer price $142,383

Occupancy floor —

Sensitivity live

Price	-10% $-35	-5% $-81	+0% $-128	+5% $-175	+10% $-221
Rent	-10% $-230	-5% $-179	+0% $-128	+5% $-77	+10% $-26
Rate	-1.0pp $-45	-0.5pp $-86	base $-128	+0.5pp $-171	+1.0pp $-214

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: $41,250
• Closing costs: $4,950
• Reserves months: —
• Total cash needed: —

Rent comps 4 comps

Address	Beds	Baths	Sqft	Rent	$/sqft	DOM	Units	Dist
417 9th St NW Cedar Rapids, IA	3.0	1.0	1061	$1,300	$1.23	45d	1	0.49mi
1001 C Ave NW Cedar Rapids, IA	3.0	1.5	1446	$1,500	$1.04	15d	1	0.51mi
206 3rd Ave SW Cedar Rapids, IA	1.0	1.5	1400	$1,495	$1.07	15d	1	0.95mi
1601 30th St NW Unit 1611 6 Cedar Rapids, IA	2.0	1.0	847	$865	$1.02	15d	1	1.23mi

Listing history 11 events

1. 2026-04-25
   status Pending
2. 2026-04-23
   status Pending 1035-char remark

   Show marketing remark (1035 chars)

   Turnkey charm meets everyday comfort in this inviting 1.5-story home—ready for its next chapter! Enjoy recent updates throughout, including stylish vinyl wood-look flooring in the kitchen, family room, hallway, and bath. The updated oak kitchen offers warmth and functionality with newer appliances and a smart refrigerator, while the bathroom features beautiful large gray tile in the shower. New carpet in the main-level bedrooms add to the clean, move-in-ready feel. Step outside to a fully fenced backyard with an expansive deck—perfect for entertaining or giving pets room to run. Upstairs, a bonus attic space of approximately 300 square feet offers endless potential for the third bedroom, office, or creative retreat. The basement is exceptionally clean and dry, and the sewer line has already been scoped with no Orangeburg. Alley access provides a 1-stall detached garage plus additional parking. Pool and Pool Equipment to Remain. This home truly checks the boxes—come see if it’s your perfect match!

3. 2026-04-22
   listed $165,000 Active

   Show marketing remark (1035 chars)

   Turnkey charm meets everyday comfort in this inviting 1.5-story home—ready for its next chapter! Enjoy recent updates throughout, including stylish vinyl wood-look flooring in the kitchen, family room, hallway, and bath. The updated oak kitchen offers warmth and functionality with newer appliances and a smart refrigerator, while the bathroom features beautiful large gray tile in the shower. New carpet in the main-level bedrooms add to the clean, move-in-ready feel. Step outside to a fully fenced backyard with an expansive deck—perfect for entertaining or giving pets room to run. Upstairs, a bonus attic space of approximately 300 square feet offers endless potential for the third bedroom, office, or creative retreat. The basement is exceptionally clean and dry, and the sewer line has already been scoped with no Orangeburg. Alley access provides a 1-stall detached garage plus additional parking. Pool and Pool Equipment to Remain. This home truly checks the boxes—come see if it’s your perfect match!

4. 2026-04-22
   listed $165,000 Active 1035-char remark

   Show marketing remark (1035 chars)

   Turnkey charm meets everyday comfort in this inviting 1.5-story home—ready for its next chapter! Enjoy recent updates throughout, including stylish vinyl wood-look flooring in the kitchen, family room, hallway, and bath. The updated oak kitchen offers warmth and functionality with newer appliances and a smart refrigerator, while the bathroom features beautiful large gray tile in the shower. New carpet in the main-level bedrooms add to the clean, move-in-ready feel. Step outside to a fully fenced backyard with an expansive deck—perfect for entertaining or giving pets room to run. Upstairs, a bonus attic space of approximately 300 square feet offers endless potential for the third bedroom, office, or creative retreat. The basement is exceptionally clean and dry, and the sewer line has already been scoped with no Orangeburg. Alley access provides a 1-stall detached garage plus additional parking. Pool and Pool Equipment to Remain. This home truly checks the boxes—come see if it’s your perfect match!

5. 2020-08-07
   soldstatus $120,000
6. 2020-08-06
   soldstatus $120,000 905-char remark

   Show marketing remark (905 chars)

   Turnkey 1.5 story home seeks new people to fill it with love and laughter. The seller has done many updates, new vinyl wood look flooring in the kitchen, family room, hall and bath, installed beautiful large gray tile in the shower, newer paint on walls, doors and trim have been painted, fenced the back yard, power washed the deck, painted the basement floor. This house is ready to go, you have a bonus attic with 300 square feet that with a little imagination you could do wonders with it (we are looking at it as another bedroom) The basement is so clean and dry, can lights are already up would be super easy to finish off. Sewer line was scoped and NO Orangeburg. There is alley access with a 1 stall detached garage and a parking area. Come see if this house is your perfect match! * * Loose gravel in the parking area in back will be removed prior to closing, City of CR does not allow it * *

7. 2020-06-30
   listed $115,000 905-char remark

   Show marketing remark (905 chars)

   Turnkey 1.5 story home seeks new people to fill it with love and laughter. The seller has done many updates, new vinyl wood look flooring in the kitchen, family room, hall and bath, installed beautiful large gray tile in the shower, newer paint on walls, doors and trim have been painted, fenced the back yard, power washed the deck, painted the basement floor. This house is ready to go, you have a bonus attic with 300 square feet that with a little imagination you could do wonders with it (we are looking at it as another bedroom) The basement is so clean and dry, can lights are already up would be super easy to finish off. Sewer line was scoped and NO Orangeburg. There is alley access with a 1 stall detached garage and a parking area. Come see if this house is your perfect match! * * Loose gravel in the parking area in back will be removed prior to closing, City of CR does not allow it * *

8. 2017-10-16
   soldstatus $93,000
9. 2017-10-13
   soldstatus $93,000
10. 2017-08-28
    listed $93,000
11. 2006-09-26
    soldstatus $80,000

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

Tax reassessment forecast IA · Partial reset (capped growth)

• Current annual tax: $2,556 · $213/mo
• Projected year-2 tax: $2,573 · $214/mo
• Expected delta: +$17/yr (+$1/mo · 0.7%)

ⓘ 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 0 unhealthy d/yr today · 1 by 30 yrs out

Taxation est. · year 1

• Rental income: $15,478
• − Mortgage interest: −$9,243
• − Property taxes: −$2,556
• − Insurance: −$825
• − Repairs & maintenance: −$1,238
• − Management: −$1,238
• − Depreciation: −$4,800
• Taxable loss: −$4,422
• Est. tax savings @ 24.0%: +$1,061
• After-tax cash flow: $-475/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: Cedar Rapids Community School District
• NCES district ID: 1906540
• Math proficiency: 50% ▼ -12.00%
• Reading proficiency: 59% ▼ -6.00%
• Median HH income: $53,568
• Composite: 46.82/100
• National rank: #2378
• State rank: #265 of 289 in IA

Livability — Cedar Rapids

• Score: 78/100
• State rank: #134
• US rank: #2474

Category grades

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

Schools grade is shown separately in the Schools card above.

Census & demographics

• Census place: Cedar Rapids, IA
• County: Linn County · 179,860 people
• City population: 137,154
• Metro: Cedar Rapids, IA
• Population (ZIP): 26,526
• Household income: $70,123
• Rent vs Own: 26.1% rent · 73.9% own
• Severe rent burden: 715.0

Population outlook (Linn County) Hauer SSP2

• Today (2025): 239,589 people
• By 2030: 248,587 · +3.8%
• By 2040: 264,817 · +10.5%
• By 2050: 278,685 · +16.3%
• By 2075: 311,754 · +30.1%
• By 2100: 336,773 · +40.6%

Race, ethnicity, and origin ACS 2023

• Neighborhood character: Predominantly White (79%)
• Race & ethnicity: White 79% Black 9% Two or more races 7% Hispanic / Latino 5% Asian 2%
• Common ancestry: Portuguese 4% Lithuanian 2% Iranian 1%
• Foreign-born: 6% · Canada, China
• Languages at home: 92% English-only · Spanish 3% French/Haitian/Cajun 1% Other Asian/Pacific 1%

Political lean MEDSL · Linn

• 2024 margin: Lean D (+9.9) · D 54.2% · R 44.3% · Other 1.4%
• 2008→2024 swing: -11.6pp toward R · 2008: 21.5pp · 2024: 9.9pp
• All cycles: 2024: D+9.9 2020: D+13.7 2016: D+9.0 2012: D+17.6 2008: D+21.5

Not yet ingested

• Civics: —

Market trends

• HPI YoY: ▼ -137.56%
• Current HPI: 201.6053
• Rent YoY: ▲ 12.37%
• Metro: Cedar Rapids, 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

+106.2% since first listed

11 events — show timeline

• 2026-04-25 Pending — ICAARMLS
• 2026-04-23 Pending — CRAAR, CDRMLS
• 2026-04-22 Listed $165,000 CRAAR, CDRMLS
• 2026-04-22 Listed $165,000 ICAARMLS
• 2020-08-07 Sold (Public Records) $120,000 Public Records
• 2020-08-06 Sold (MLS) $120,000 CRAAR, CDRMLS
• 2020-06-30 Listed $115,000 CRAAR, CDRMLS
• 2017-10-16 Sold (Public Records) $93,000 Public Records
• 2017-10-13 Sold (MLS) $93,000 CRAAR, CDRMLS
• 2017-08-28 Listed $93,000 CRAAR, CDRMLS
• 2006-09-26 Sold (Public Records) $80,000 Public Records

Property tax history

+3.7%/yr

Latest (2025): $2,556 · +8.7% YoY. Source: county tax records.