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221 Bridge St

Duplex · 2 units: 1 bed / 1 bath ×2 unit split estimated · 1,645 sq ft

Le Sueur, MN · View the listing ↗

Cash flows

Photos courtesy of JBEAL HOMES, INC. - Broker, via Realtor.com.

Asking price
$147,700
2 units · $74K per unit
Monthly cash flow
$241
at 20% down, 7%
Estimated rent
$2,150/mo
medium confidence
Break-even price
$192,951
where cash flow hits $0

Adjust the numbers See the full breakdown

First look

Two 1-bed/1-bath units in Le Sueur at $147,700, and our underwriting shows about $241/month cash flow at 20% down and a 8.3% cap. That's thin but positive, and break-even price is about $193K, so there's some cushion. The listing gives no rents, so the income is our estimate ($1,075 mid per unit), not a fact. It has sat 343 days, which gives room to negotiate. First check the taxes (we couldn't match a county parcel), the age and type of heat (the photos show electric baseboard), and whether the lower unit is a true legal unit. Worth a showing if the rental license and utilities hold up.

Things to consider

  1. Rents are our estimate, not the seller's The listing states no rents, so the $241/month cash flow rests on a $1,075 mid-rate per unit. Get the actual leases before you trust it.
  2. Thin cash flow leaves little room for repairs At $241/month, a single boiler-level or roof-level surprise wipes out a year. Inspect the 1880 structure and wiring carefully.
  3. Long time on market gives negotiating room 343 days suggests the seller may accept a lower price, which would improve the cap rate.
  4. Taxes are unverified A bad tax guess changes the cash flow quickly. An investor may owe the non-homestead rate.
  5. Lower unit may not be a standard unit The floor and windows suggest a basement-level space. Confirm it is legal, licensed and has proper egress.From photo 3
  6. Rental license is good through 2029 A current license for both units helps you avoid a compliance delay, but confirm it transfers.Listing says: “Current rental license is good until June 2029 for both units.”

From the photos

Listing photo 2
1 of 8Plus

Siding and roof shingles appear fairly new and in good condition, consistent with the listing.

Listing photo 10
2 of 8Plus

Retaining wall and steps at the front appear solid, with no visible cracking.

Listing photo 3
3 of 8Check

Lower unit has a painted concrete-looking floor and low windows, which suggests a basement-level or converted space. Check egress, moisture and ceiling height.

Listing photo 9
4 of 8Concern

Upper kitchen appears dated, with older cabinets, a worn counter and an old range. Not updated.

Listing photo 5
5 of 8Check

Electric baseboard heat appears in the bathroom and kitchen areas, so tenants likely pay electric heat. Check the bills and the panel.

Listing photo 8
6 of 8Concern

The upper kitchen has a wall-mounted sink with a loose drain hose and a chipped countertop surface, which suggests deferred maintenance.

Listing photo 4
7 of 8Check

Lower unit has a basic kitchen and laundry hookups in a worn but clean state, with older vinyl flooring.

Listing photo 1
8 of 8Plus

Detached garage and concrete driveway pad give off-street parking.

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

Condition and repairs

  • doneNew windows, siding and roofListing says: New windows, siding and roof in last few years.
  • doneRental license current for both units until June 2029Listing says: Current rental license is good until June 2029 for both units.

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
$147,700
Cash to close
$33,971
Price per unit
$73,850
GRM
5.7

Each month

Cash flow
$241/mo
Cash-on-cash
8.5%
Cap rate
8.3%
DSCR
1.31×

Break-even

Price that breaks even
$192,951
Rent that breaks even
$1,837/mo

Long run

Year 30: property vs stocks
$985K vs $259K
Cash flow turns positive
year 1

Monthly

Monthly breakdown

Rent$2,150
Vacancy (6%)−$129
Collected$2,021
Property tax Listing−$196
Insurance Estimate−$203
Water, sewer, trash Estimate−$170
Lawn care ($120 × 6 mo ÷ 12)−$60
Repairs (8% of rent)−$172
Capital reserve (9% of rent)−$194
Net operating income$1,027
Mortgage (principal + interest)−$786
Cash flow$241
Principal paid down (equity, not cash)$100

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$985,471
Your equity when you sell
$336,997

Sells for $358,507 (value up 3% a year), minus 6% selling cost ($21,510). Rent paid down $118,160 of loan.

Rental profits, invested at 7%
$648,475

$272,772 of cash flow over 30 years, plus what it earned invested.

Same money in stocks$258,596
Cash to close, invested at 7%
$258,596

$33,971 put into an index fund instead of the down payment and closing costs.

The building comes out $726,875 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 $985K, stocks $259K. 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 $1,075/mo · range $900–$1,225

AddressRentBd / BaSq ftDistanceListedMatch
101 Main St S, Ste 207, Le Sueur 56058 off market $1,175 1 / 1 660 0.1 mi 2026-07-31 91%
101 Main St S, Ste 213, Le Sueur 56058 off market $1,100 1 / 1 656 0.1 mi 2026-07-15 91%
223 Bridge St, Le Sueur 56058 $750 1 / 1 600 0.0 mi 2026-09-28 90%
411 3rd St N, Le Sueur 56058 $925 1 / 1 600 0.3 mi 2025-01-03 90%
101 Main St S, Ste 212, Le Sueur 56058 off market $1,400 2 / 1 1,050 0.1 mi 2026-07-31 90%
500 Boright St, Le Sueur 56058 $895 1 / 1 550 0.5 mi 2025-10-04 88%
205 Bridge St, Le Sueur 56058 off market $900 1 / 1 500 0.0 mi 2021-12-17 88%
409 Turril St, Le Sueur 56058 off market $950 2 / 1 933 0.6 mi 2026-05-17 88%
500 Boright St, Apt 304, Le Sueur 56058 off market $875 1 / 1 500 0.5 mi 2025-12-21 87%
417 Turril St, Le Sueur 56058 off market $950 2 / 1 860 0.6 mi 2026-03-06 86%

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 221 BRIDGE ST
  • mediumTaxes and unit count are unverified, so the expense side of the numbers is a guess. Based on: data: county.tax · AI review
  • mediumBuilt in 1880, so wiring, plumbing and foundation age are unknown. Based on: data: listing.year_built · AI review
  • lowListed 343 days. The price may be too high or something hurts it in inspection. Based on: data: listing.days_on_market · AI review

Opportunities

  • Long time on market: room to negotiate. Based on: Listing data: 343 days on market
  • Owner-occupy one unit and rent the other, which cuts the effective housing cost. Listing says: Perfect for owner occupied tenancy, and rent other unit out. · AI review
  • Separate utilities mean tenants carry their own bills, so owner expenses stay low. Listing says: Separate utilities for each unit · AI review
  • No rent cap, so rents can follow the market. Based on: data: underwriting.rent_rule · AI review

Questions for the agent

  • What were the actual rents, and is the main floor rented now?
  • What are the real annual property taxes, and is the seller homestead-classified?
  • What heat type serves each unit, and what do tenants usually pay per month?
  • Is the lower unit legal with egress, and does the rental license list two units?
  • Why has it sat since October 2025, and has the price been cut or any offers fallen through?
  • What year were the roof, siding and windows done, and are there permits?

Bottom line

Cheap, recently refreshed 1-bed/1-bed duplex that pencils slightly positive, but rents and taxes are unverified. 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.$2,350
Insurance / yr Estimateestimate. from units, square feet and age; get a quote$2,432
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 1880: +1 pt capital reserve8% / 9%

Price history Realtor.com

On the market since 2025-08-15 (416 days, relisted 1×); last sold for $108,000 on 2018-01-01; listed for rent at $900/mo on 2026-09-28.

DateEventPrice
Listed for rent$900/mo
Price changed$147,700
Price changed$149,900
Price changed$154,500
Price changed$159,999
Price changed$165,900
Price changed$169,900
Price changed$175,000
Price changed$179,000
Price changed$182,000
Price changed$184,000
Listed$185,000
Price changed$185,000
Price changed$189,900
Listed$199,900
Listed$199,900
Removed—
Listed for rent$775/mo
Sold public record$108,000

From the listing Listing

Listed asduplex up and down
Property tax, 2026$2,350
CountyLe Sueur
Parcel number218001970

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 Le Sueur on rental licensing before you buy.