214 1st Ave NW

Duplex · 2 units: 1 bed / 1 bath ×2 unit split estimated · 1,600 sq ft

Overpriced

13 photos

Photos courtesy of RE/MAX ADVANTAGE PLUS, via Realtor.com.

Asking price: $339,900
Monthly cash flow: −$501
Estimated rent: $2,600/mo
Break-even price: $245,847

Adjust the numbers See the full breakdown

From the listing

All-brick side-by-side duplex in a convenient in-town location! Each unit offers comfortable main-level living with separate entrances, providing privacy and easy access for tenants or owner-occupants. The property features a concrete driveway and a two-car garage. Both basements are ready to be finished, offering excellent potential for additional living space. With the right updates, each side could easily be converted to a 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom unit, creating even more rental income potential or long-term value. A great opportunity for an investor, owner-occupant, or anyone looking to add value-don't miss it!

Listing courtesy of RE/MAX ADVANTAGE PLUS (Mark Reiland). Description from Realtor.com, MLS #7136740. Believed reliable but not guaranteed; confirm with the listing agent. View on Realtor.com ↗

First look

This is an all-brick side-by-side in New Prague, built 1959, asking $339,900. Our underwriting shows about -$501/month at ask with a 4.6% cap rate, and break-even is near $245,800, so the price is roughly $94K too high for these rents. The description gives no rents, no lease status, no tax figure and no unit mix, so everything rides on our $1,300 per side estimate. The 'convert to 3-bed, 2-bath' pitch is only potential, and it means finishing basements that look low and have exposed joists. Get the rent roll, taxes and rental license first. Worth a showing only if the seller will move well toward $246K.

Things to consider

Price is above what the rents support Our model shows negative monthly cash flow at ask, and break-even is about $94K lower. Offer accordingly or pass.
Income is unverified There are no stated rents, leases or occupancy. Our estimate of $1,300 per side is a guess until you see a rent roll.
Taxes and unit count unverified We couldn't match a county parcel, so the tax bill could differ a lot from our assumption, and an investor may pay a higher non-homestead rate.
Basement upside depends on code and cost Adding bedrooms and baths takes egress, permits and money. It may not pay back at today's rates.Listing says: “Both basements are ready to be finished, offering excellent potential for additional living space.”
Dated interiors but no obvious damage Kitchens and baths look original, so expect updates over time. That also means rent gains from a refresh are possible.From photo 8

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: $339,900
Cash to close: $78,177
Price per unit: $169,950
GRM: 10.9

Each month

Cash flow: −$501/mo
Cash-on-cash: −7.7%
Cap rate: 4.6%
DSCR: 0.72×

Break-even

Price that breaks even: $245,847
Rent that breaks even: $3,242/mo

Long run

Year 30: property vs stocks: $925K vs $826K
Cash flow turns positive: year 14

Monthly

Monthly breakdown

Rent	$2,600
Vacancy (6%)	−$156
Collected	$2,444
Property tax Listing	−$306
Insurance Estimate	−$183
Water, sewer, trash Estimate	−$170
Lawn care ($120 × 6 mo ÷ 12)	−$60
Repairs (8% of rent)	−$208
Capital reserve (8% of rent)	−$208
Net operating income	$1,308
Mortgage (principal + interest)	−$1,809
Cash flow	−$501
Principal paid down (equity, not cash)	$230

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$925,235

Your equity when you sell: $775,525
Rental profits, invested at 7%: $149,710

Same money in stocks$826,360

Cash to close, invested at 7%: $595,103
Monthly shortfalls, invested: $231,257

The building comes out $98,875 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 $925K, stocks $826K. 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.

1 bed / 1 bath estimate $1,300/mo · range $1,075–$1,500

Address	Rent	Bd / Ba	Sq ft	Distance	Listed	Match
507 Columbus Ave N, Apt 3, New Prague 56071 off market	$1,000	1 / 1	650	0.4 mi	2026-04-21	85%
205 Broadway St S, Jordan 55352 off market	$950	1 / 1	—	8.6 mi	2026-07-09	81%
201 E 1st St, Jordan 55352 off market	$1,125	1 / 1	—	8.7 mi	2026-07-17	81%
321 1st Ave SE, Apt 9, Lonsdale 55046 off market	$950	1 / 1	—	8.8 mi	2026-09-30	81%
321 1st Ave SE, Apt 13, Lonsdale 55046	$975	1 / 1	—	8.8 mi	2026-10-05	81%
321 1st Ave SE, Apt 16, Lonsdale 55046 off market	$925	1 / 1	—	8.8 mi	2026-02-20	81%
1200 4th St NE, New Prague 56071	$1,465	2 / 1	800	0.9 mi	2025-01-03	77%
22621 Camber Ave, Jordan 55352 off market	$1,575	2 / 1	1,100	5.3 mi	2026-07-09	75%
20465 Langford Way, Jordan 55352	$1,125	1 / 1	700	8.4 mi	2026-08-19	74%
102 Chalupsky Ave SE, New Prague 56071	$1,400	0 / 1	587	1.1 mi	2025-07-25	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

highNo rents or lease details given, so income is unverified Based on: data: rent_estimate · AI review
highNegative cash flow at asking price; price is well above break-even Based on: data: underwriting.break_even_price · AI review
mediumCouldn't match this address to a county parcel record, so taxes and unit count are unverified. Public record: County parcels: no match for 214 1ST AVE NW
mediumBasement conversion to 3-bed/2-bath is speculative and needs egress, permits and cost Listing says: With the right updates, each side could easily be converted to a 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom unit · AI review

Opportunities

Finish the basements to add bedrooms and bathrooms, if legal egress and permits work Listing says: Both basements are ready to be finished, offering excellent potential for additional living space. · AI review
Separate entrances and a two-car garage support tenant appeal and privacy Listing says: Each unit offers comfortable main-level living with separate entrances · AI review
No rent cap, so rents can follow the market after updates Based on: data: underwriting.rent_rule · AI review

Questions for the agent

What are the current rents, lease end dates and deposits for each side?
Are the units separately metered for gas and electric, and who pays what?
What are the actual property taxes, and is the owner living in one side?
Is the property licensed as a rental, and are the units legally two separate dwellings?
How old are the roof, furnaces or boilers, water heaters and electrical panels?
Why has it sat 34 days, and is the seller flexible on price?

Bottom line

Clean-looking brick side-by-side, but at $339,900 it loses money on our numbers and the listing gives no rents to prove otherwise. AI-assisted summary

What the records say

Where each number comes from

Property tax / yr Listinglisting, tax year 2025. 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.	$3,674
Insurance / yr Estimateestimate. from units, square feet and age; get a quote	$2,200
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. base rate	8% / 8%

Price history Realtor.com

On the market since 2026-09-01 (34 days); last sold for $269,900 on 2020-11-20.

Date	Event	Price
2026-09-01	Listed	$339,900
2020-11-20	Sold	$269,900
2020-10-06	Listed	$249,900

From the listing Listing

Listed as	duplex side x side
Property tax, 2025	$3,674
County	Scott
Parcel number	240030340

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 New Prague on rental licensing before you buy.