1727 E Superior St

Fourplex · 4 units: 2 bed / 1 bath ×3 and 1 bed / 1 bath unit split estimated · 3,032 sq ft

Overpriced

53 photos

Photos courtesy of Edina Realty, Inc., via Realtor.com.

Asking price: $655,000
Monthly cash flow: −$1,167
Estimated rent: $4,625/mo
Break-even price: $435,785

Adjust the numbers See the full breakdown

From the listing

Experience this well-maintained Victorian four-plex, an ideal owner-occupancy opportunity or 1031 exchange investment with clean title, clear financials, and a flexible closing timeline. Blending historic architectural charm with modern rental stability, this property is positioned for immediate cash flow and long-term equity growth. In addition to the four residential units, a carriage house above the garage offers exciting potential for a fifth income-producing unit. The property also features a heated two-stall garage and dedicated workshop space, providing added functionality and value. Investors will appreciate the adjacent buildable lot, which presents the opportunity for future multifamily development and additional income potential. Ample off-street parking accommodates residents and guests with ease. The location is highly desirable for both tenants and owner-occupants, situated on a city bus route and within walking distance of the Lakewalk, Canal Park, and St. Luke's and Essentia Health facilities. This rare offering combines character, convenience, expansion potential, and strong investment fundamentals in one exceptional property.

Listing courtesy of Edina Realty, Inc. (LEN SARVELA). Description from Realtor.com, MLS #6125186. Believed reliable but not guaranteed; confirm with the listing agent. View on Realtor.com ↗

First look

This is a 1891 Victorian four-plex asking $655K, and at that price our numbers don't work. Estimated rents total about $4,425 a month, cash flow is roughly -$1,167 a month at 20% down, and the cap rate is 4.25%. Break-even is near $436K, so there is a lot of room between the ask and a workable price. The listing gives no rents, no taxes, no expenses and no lease info, despite saying 'clear financials'. Get the rent roll and trailing-12 first. The photos show mixed unit condition, and the carriage house and extra lot are upside, not income. Worth a showing only if the seller will come down hard or the real rents beat our estimates.

Things to consider

Price is far above what the rents support At the ask, cash flow is about -$1,167 a month and the cap rate is 4.25%. Break-even is roughly $219K lower, so the deal only works at a much lower price.
No verified income or expenses The listing claims clear financials but shows none. Actual rents could be above or below our estimates, so the rent roll decides everything.
Taxes and unit count are unverified We couldn't match a county parcel. Taxes drive expenses, and the legal unit count affects licensing and insurance.
Upside is speculative The carriage house and extra lot would need permits, zoning and capital. Don't pay for them up front.Listing says: “a carriage house above the garage offers exciting potential for a fifth income-producing unit”
Unit condition looks uneven One kitchen and bath look updated while other baths look dated. Budget for turnover work and aging systems in an 1891 building.From photo 9

From the photos

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

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: $655,000
Cash to close: $150,650
Price per unit: $163,750
GRM: 11.8

Each month

Cash flow: −$1,167/mo
Cash-on-cash: −9.3%
Cap rate: 4.2%
DSCR: 0.67×

Break-even

Price that breaks even: $435,785
Rent that breaks even: $6,140/mo

Long run

Year 30: property vs stocks: $1.67M vs $1.78M
Cash flow turns positive: year 17

Monthly

Monthly breakdown

Rent	$4,625
Vacancy (6%)	−$278
Collected	$4,348
Property tax Listing	−$442
Insurance Estimate	−$399
Water, sewer, trash Estimate	−$340
Lawn care ($120 × 6 mo ÷ 12)	−$60
Repairs (8% of rent)	−$370
Capital reserve (9% of rent)	−$416
Net operating income	$2,319
Mortgage (principal + interest)	−$3,486
Cash flow	−$1,167
Principal paid down (equity, not cash)	$444

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$1,669,946

Your equity when you sell: $1,494,466
Rental profits, invested at 7%: $175,481

Same money in stocks$1,780,444

Cash to close, invested at 7%: $1,146,786
Monthly shortfalls, invested: $633,658

Stocks come out $110,498 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 $1.67M, stocks $1.78M. Stocks win.

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.

2 bed / 1 bath estimate $1,200/mo · range $1,100–$1,300

Address	Rent	Bd / Ba	Sq ft	Distance	Listed	Match
1731 E Superior St, Apt 102, Duluth 55812 off market	$1,150	2 / 1	—	0.0 mi	2026-07-20	94%
1625 E 1st St, Apt 1, Duluth 55812 off market	$1,100	2 / 1	—	0.1 mi	2026-09-02	94%
207 S 17th Ave E, Unit 2, Duluth 55812	$1,400	2 / 1	—	0.1 mi	2026-09-28	94%
106 S 19th Ave E, Apt 2, Duluth 55812 off market	$1,100	2 / 1	—	0.1 mi	2026-04-02	94%
320 S 19th Ave E Apt B, Duluth 55812	$1,075	2 / 1	—	0.2 mi	2026-09-21	94%
320 S 19th Ave E Apt A, Duluth 55812 off market	$1,050	2 / 1	—	0.2 mi	2026-05-07	94%
2016 E 1st St, Apt 1, Duluth 55812 off market	$1,300	2 / 1	—	0.2 mi	2026-09-04	94%
1804 E 4th St, Duluth 55812 off market	$1,250	2 / 1	—	0.2 mi	2026-03-20	94%
1529 E 3rd St, Apt 3, Duluth 55812 off market	$1,250	2 / 1	—	0.3 mi	2026-07-12	94%
1430 E 1st St, Apt 5, Duluth 55805 off market	$1,065	2 / 1	—	0.3 mi	2026-05-06	94%

1 bed / 1 bath estimate $1,025/mo · range $900–$1,175

Address	Rent	Bd / Ba	Sq ft	Distance	Listed	Match
1731 E Superior St, Apt 105, Duluth 55812 off market	$895	1 / 1	—	0.0 mi	2023-02-24	94%
1731 E Superior St, Apt 203, Duluth 55812 off market	$1,025	1 / 1	—	0.0 mi	2023-12-01	94%
1625 E 1st St, Apt 3, Duluth 55812 off market	$1,000	1 / 1	—	0.1 mi	2026-09-04	94%
1625 E 1st St, Apt 2, Duluth 55812 off market	$985	1 / 1	—	0.1 mi	2026-05-29	94%
1723 E 2nd St, Apt 7, Duluth 55812 off market	$950	1 / 1	—	0.1 mi	2026-07-22	94%
1902 E 1st St, Apt 5, Duluth 55812 off market	$995	1 / 1	—	0.1 mi	2024-04-23	94%
1602 E 1st St, Apt 5, Duluth 55812 off market	$950	1 / 1	—	0.1 mi	2026-08-06	94%
213 S 17th Ave E Apt D, Duluth 55812 off market	$900	1 / 1	—	0.2 mi	2026-07-27	94%
1723 E 2nd St, Apt 5, Duluth 55812 off market	$950	1 / 1	—	0.1 mi	2026-02-16	94%
1820 London Rd, Apt 5, Duluth 55812 off market	$1,425	1 / 1	—	0.2 mi	2024-06-24	94%

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 1727 SUPERIOR ST E
mediumAsking is $219,215 above the price where cash flow breaks even ($435,785) at the default scenario. Based on: Derived: price $655,000 vs. break-even $435,785
mediumCarriage house 'fifth unit' is potential only. It may not be legal or permitted, and it is not income today. Listing says: a carriage house above the garage offers exciting potential for a fifth income-producing unit · AI review
mediumMarketed to owner-occupants and 1031 buyers, which suggests pricing is not driven by current rents. Listing says: an ideal owner-occupancy opportunity or 1031 exchange investment · AI review
low1891 building with several different bath and floor finishes suggests uneven unit condition and aging systems. Based on: photo 9 · AI review

Opportunities

Long time on market: room to negotiate. Based on: Listing data: 145 days on market
Adjacent buildable lot could allow future multifamily development, subject to zoning and ownership. Listing says: adjacent buildable lot, which presents the opportunity for future multifamily development · AI review
Heated garage and workshop could earn parking or storage income. Listing says: heated two-stall garage and dedicated workshop space · AI review
Walkable to hospitals and Lakewalk on a bus route, which supports tenant demand. Listing says: within walking distance of the Lakewalk, Canal Park, and St. Luke's and Essentia Health facilities · AI review
Price is far above break-even, which leaves real room to negotiate after 145 days listed. Based on: data: listing.days_on_market · AI review

Questions for the agent

Can I see the current rent roll, lease dates and 12 months of expenses?
Does the city rental license cover four units, and is the carriage house legal or permitted?
Is the adjacent lot a separate parcel, and is it included in the price?
What are annual taxes, and who pays heat, water and electric in each unit?
What is the heat setup (one boiler or separate), and how old are the boilers, roof and electrical panels?
Why has it sat 145 days, and have there been offers or price cuts?

Bottom line

Charming Victorian, but at $655K it loses over $1,100 a month on our numbers, and the listing hides the financials. 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.	$5,308
Insurance / yr Estimateestimate. from units, square feet and age; get a quote	$4,794
Water, sewer, trash / mo Estimateestimate. $85/unit/mo, owner-paid	$340
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 1891: +1 pt capital reserve	8% / 9%

Price history Realtor.com

On the market since 2026-05-13 (145 days); down $20,000 (3.0%) from the first ask of $675,000; last sold for $389,000 on 2021-03-26.

Date	Event	Price
2026-08-07	Listed	$655,000
2026-07-31	Price changed	$655,000
2026-05-13	Listed	$675,000
2021-03-26	Sold public record	$389,000
1999-07-06	Sold public record	$145,000

From the listing Listing

Listed as	fourplex
Property tax, 2026	$5,308
County	St. Louis County
Parcel number	010-1480-01660 & 010-1480-01670

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 Duluth on rental licensing before you buy.