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159 E King St

Duplex · 2 units: 4 bed / 1 bath ×2 unit split estimated · 2,300 sq ft

Winona, MN · View the listing ↗

Cash flows

Photos, via Realtor.com.

Asking price
$230,000
2 units · $115K per unit
Monthly cash flow
$444
at 20% down, 7%
Estimated rent
$3,200/mo
medium confidence
Break-even price
$313,352
where cash flow hits $0

Adjust the numbers See the full breakdown

First look

Two 4-bed/1-bath units in a student-rental location near WSU, asking $230K. Our numbers say it cash flows about $444/month at 20% down with an 8.7% cap rate, using estimated rents of $1,600 per unit. That rests on estimates, because the listing gives no actual rents, no lease terms and no expenses. The photos show dated finishes, a rubble stone foundation and a shared coin laundry in the basement, so inspect the foundation and the unit setup before anything else. At 39 days on market it's worth a showing if the rent roll and tax bill hold up, but get the real numbers first.

Things to consider

  1. Rents are estimates only Cash flow of $444/month depends on about $1,600 per unit. Actual rents could be lower, and student leases can turn over often.
  2. Taxes and unit count unverified We couldn't match a county parcel, so the tax bill is a guess and the legal unit count is unconfirmed. Taxes could change the numbers.
  3. Old stone foundation A 1900 building on a rubble stone foundation can mean costly repairs if there's water or movement.From photo 9
  4. Dated interiors and building envelope Worn siding and old kitchens and baths mean you should budget for repairs and reserves, even if rents hold up.From photo 1
  5. Price vs. break-even Break-even price is about $313K against a $230K ask, so there's some cushion if rents are real.

From the photos

Listing photo 1
1 of 8Concern

Siding appears to be older, worn, aluminum or steel-type panels. Paint looks weathered at the trim and windows.

Listing photo 9
2 of 8Concern

Basement walls are rubble stone with a stone foundation visible at grade. Check for moisture, mortar loss and settling.

Listing photo 2
3 of 8Check

Kitchen has dated laminate cabinets and counters, but a newer-looking range and vinyl plank flooring. Updates appear cosmetic.

Listing photo 4
4 of 8Check

Bathrooms appear functional with tile floors and fiberglass-style showers, but dated.

Listing photo 1
5 of 8Check

Roof shingles on the front slope appear in fair, uniform condition. Age is unknown.

Listing photo 9
6 of 8Plus

Four coin-style laundry machines in the basement serve the building.

Listing photo 6
7 of 8Concern

Bedroom has a drop ceiling and a window AC unit, which suggests a finished lower level or addition. Check egress and permits.

Listing photo 10
8 of 8Check

No photos of the furnace, water heater, electrical panel or the second unit. Those can't be judged from the listing.

Based on 10 of the listing photos. Photos can hide as much as they show; an inspection is the real answer.

AI-assisted first read of the listing description and photos (Claude), checked against public records. Every rent and repair above quotes the listing; verify with the agent, leases and an inspection.

The numbers

Down payment %
Offer $
Management
Interest rate %
Edit rents, costs and assumptions

Default: 20% down (no PMI), offer at asking, self-managed, 7.00% for 30 years, buyer pays closing costs (3%).

The deal

Price
$230,000
Cash to close
$52,900
Price per unit
$115,000
GRM
6.0

Each month

Cash flow
$444/mo
Cash-on-cash
10.1%
Cap rate
8.7%
DSCR
1.36×

Break-even

Price that breaks even
$313,352
Rent that breaks even
$2,616/mo

Long run

Year 30: property vs stocks
$1.66M vs $403K
Cash flow turns positive
year 1

Monthly

Monthly breakdown

Rent$3,200
Vacancy (6%)−$192
Collected$3,008
Property tax Listing−$316
Insurance Estimate−$218
Water, sewer, trash Estimate−$170
Lawn care ($120 × 6 mo ÷ 12)−$60
Repairs (9% of rent)−$288
Capital reserve (9% of rent)−$288
Net operating income$1,668
Mortgage (principal + interest)−$1,224
Cash flow$444
Principal paid down (equity, not cash)$156

Cash flow each year

Rents +3%/yr, costs +3.5%/yr. Red bars are months you'd cover out of pocket.

30 years

How those totals add up

If you buy this building$1,661,028
Your equity when you sell
$524,774

Sells for $558,270 (value up 3% a year), minus 6% selling cost ($33,496). Rent paid down $184,000 of loan.

Rental profits, invested at 7%
$1,136,254

$474,339 of cash flow over 30 years, plus what it earned invested.

Same money in stocks$402,688
Cash to close, invested at 7%
$402,688

$52,900 put into an index fund instead of the down payment and closing costs.

The building comes out $1,258,340 ahead after 30 years.

Future dollars. At 3% inflation, divide year-30 figures by about 2.4 for today's buying power. Rental profits are assumed invested, not spent.

30 years: this property vs. the same money in stocks

This propertyStocks at 7%

Year 30 (loan paid off): property $1.66M, stocks $403K. The property wins.

Comparable rentals

Nearby rentals RentCast matched to each unit type, as of 2026-10-05. The estimate above is RentCast's, weighted toward the closest matches.

4 bed / 1 bath estimate $1,600/mo · range $1,400–$1,850

AddressRentBd / BaSq ftDistanceListedMatch
560 Main St, Apt 4, Winona 55987 off market $1,600 4 / 1 — 0.3 mi 2021-12-30 94%
560 Main St, Apt 3, Winona 55987 off market $1,600 4 / 1 — 0.3 mi 2021-12-30 94%
560 Main St, Apt 2, Winona 55987 off market $1,600 4 / 1 — 0.3 mi 2021-12-30 94%
415 Center St, Winona 55987 off market $1,740 4 / 1 1,100 0.2 mi 2022-09-07 87%
401 Olmstead St, Apt 3, Winona 55987 off market $1,400 4 / 1 1,000 0.8 mi 2026-01-16 85%
1290 E Burns Valley Rd, Apt 3, Winona 55987 off market $1,000 3 / 1 — 1.7 mi 2025-12-15 82%
258 Lee St, Winona 55987 off market $1,115 3 / 1 — 1.9 mi 2025-12-10 82%
266 E Sanborn St, Unit 2, Winona 55987 off market $1,320 3 / 1 1,200 0.2 mi 2022-09-07 79%
450 E 7th St, Unit 5, Winona 55987 off market $1,400 3 / 1 1,000 0.5 mi 2024-08-03 76%
184 E King St, Winona 55987 off market $1,700 4 / 1 1,200 0.1 mi 2022-03-14 74%

On the maps, this property and comparable rentals. Comparable rentals and rent estimate: RentCast. Rents are asking rents from listings; check them against the actual leases.

Red flags and opportunities

Watch for

  • mediumCouldn't match this address to a county parcel record, so taxes and unit count are unverified. Public record: County parcels: no match for 159 KING ST E
  • mediumNo rents, lease terms or expenses given. Cash flow rests entirely on our estimates. Based on: data: rent_estimate · AI review
  • mediumRubble stone foundation on a 1900 build. Needs a structural and moisture inspection. Based on: photo 9 · AI review
  • lowExposed basement wiring and plumbing near the shared laundry. Check panel, wiring age and any splices. Based on: photo 9 · AI review
  • lowProperty is being pitched to both investors and owner-occupants. Ask why it hasn't sold in 39 days. Based on: data: listing.days_on_market · AI review

Opportunities

  • Coin laundry in the basement may produce some ancillary income. Confirm it works and who owns the machines. Based on: photo 9 · AI review
  • Walkable to WSU and downtown. Strong demand for 4-bed units from student renters. Listing says: just blocks from WSU, this property is an attractive option for both investors and owner-occupants · AI review
  • Owner-occupant option: live in one unit and rent the other to offset costs. Listing says: live in one unit while generating rental income from the other · AI review

Questions for the agent

  • What are the current rents, lease end dates and security deposits for each unit?
  • What were taxes, insurance, utilities and repairs over the last 12 months?
  • Who pays heat, water and electric, and are there separate meters and furnaces?
  • Is the rental license current, and is the occupancy limit set for 4 bedrooms per unit?
  • How old are the roof, furnace and electrical panel, and has the foundation been inspected?
  • Who owns the basement laundry machines, and is the laundry income reported?

Bottom line

Student-rental duplex that pencils at about $444/month on estimated rents, but the rent roll, taxes and foundation need to check out before offering. AI-assisted summary

What the records say

Where each number comes from

Property tax / yr Listinglisting, tax year 2026. The tax the listing states. If the seller lives there it may be at the lower homestead rate; an investor owner pays the non-homestead rate, often 20–40% more on the owner's unit.$3,798
Insurance / yr Estimateestimate. from units, square feet and age; get a quote$2,612
Water, sewer, trash / mo Estimateestimate. $85/unit/mo, owner-paid$170
Heat / mo Assumptionassumption. tenants pay heat; confirm with the agent$0
Lawn care / mo Assumptionassumption. $120/mo for 6 months, spread over 12; no snow removal$60
Repairs / capital reserve Rulerule. built 1900: +1 pt capital reserve; 8 bedrooms: +1 pt repairs for wear9% / 9%

Price history Realtor.com

On the market since 2026-06-29 (98 days, relisted 1×); down $20,000 (8.0%) from the first ask of $250,000; last sold for $250,000 on 2021-02-01.

DateEventPrice
Listed$230,000
Removed$250,000
Sold public record$250,000
Sold public record$175,000
Sold$155,000
Listed$155,000
Sold public record$140,500
Sold public record$138,500
Sold$115,000
Listed$115,000
Sold public record$62,500

From the listing Listing

Listed asduplex up and down
Property tax, 2026$3,798
CountyWinona
Parcel number322650200

As the listing states it (NorthstarMLS, via Realtor.com). We don't have county records here yet; check the tax, homestead status and special assessments with the county.

Crime, rental-license and vacant-building records are only available for St. Paul and Minneapolis so far. Check with Winona on rental licensing before you buy.