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224 S Park St

Duplex · 2 units: 2 bed / 2 bath ×2 unit split estimated · 1,988 sq ft

Fairmont, MN · View the listing ↗

Cash flows

Photos, via Realtor.com.

Asking price
$139,900
2 units · $70K per unit
Monthly cash flow
$89
at 20% down, 7%
Estimated rent
$1,900/mo
medium confidence
Break-even price
$156,528
where cash flow hits $0

Adjust the numbers See the full breakdown

First look

The description says four 1-bedroom units, but our facts count two units and model two 2-bed/2-bath rents, so the underwriting is probably off. Four 1-beds at Fairmont rents could change income in either direction, so get the real rent roll first. The owner pays gas for one boiler plus the city utility bill, which eats margin, and the tenants have separate electric meters. The photos show a dated but clean unit, an older boiler and a newer water heater. At $139,900 it's worth a showing only if the rents and the four-unit count check out.

Things to consider

  1. Unit count and mix need verifying Our underwriting assumes two 2-bed units, while the listing describes four 1-beds. The cash flow figure could be materially wrong.
  2. Owner-paid gas and city utilities These costs reduce net income and the listing gives no figures. A single boiler means one gas bill the owner absorbs.Listing says: “The owner pays the gas, and city utility bill.”
  3. Thin modeled cash flow At the asking price our model shows about $89 a month, so small surprises in taxes or repairs could erase it.
  4. Taxes and rental license unverified No county parcel match means taxes, assessments and legal unit status are unknown.
  5. Older building with dated finishes Built in 1915 with an older boiler and basic kitchens and baths, so budget for repairs and turnover costs.From photo 9

From the photos

Listing photo 2
1 of 7Plus

Living room has dark vinyl plank flooring and bay windows, and looks clean and fairly updated

Listing photo 3
2 of 7Concern

Kitchen is basic with laminate counters, older cabinets and a standard electric range; it looks dated but usable

Listing photo 6
3 of 7Plus

Bedroom has original hardwood floors that appear to be in decent shape

Listing photo 8
4 of 7Concern

Bathroom is dated, with an older tub and a pedestal-style sink; the finishes look worn

Listing photo 10
5 of 7Check

Older cast-iron boiler appears to serve the building and is shown with a separate gas water heater, which looks newer (dated 10-4-23)

Listing photo 1
6 of 7Check

Living room and bedroom photos appear to be staged with furniture, so they may not reflect how the unit presents when it's rented

Listing photo 9
7 of 7Check

Photos show only one unit's interior and the basement mechanicals; no exterior, roof, electrical panel or other units are shown

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
$139,900
Cash to close
$32,177
Price per unit
$69,950
GRM
6.1

Each month

Cash flow
$89/mo
Cash-on-cash
3.3%
Cap rate
7.1%
DSCR
1.12×

Break-even

Price that breaks even
$156,528
Rent that breaks even
$1,785/mo

Long run

Year 30: property vs stocks
$713K vs $245K
Cash flow turns positive
year 1

Monthly

Monthly breakdown

Rent$1,900
Vacancy (6%)−$114
Collected$1,786
Property tax Listing−$189
Insurance Estimate−$211
Water, sewer, trash Estimate−$170
Lawn care ($120 × 6 mo ÷ 12)−$60
Repairs (8% of rent)−$152
Capital reserve (9% of rent)−$171
Net operating income$833
Mortgage (principal + interest)−$745
Cash flow$89
Principal paid down (equity, not cash)$95

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$713,058
Your equity when you sell
$319,200

Sells for $339,574 (value up 3% a year), minus 6% selling cost ($20,374). Rent paid down $111,920 of loan.

Rental profits, invested at 7%
$393,859

$176,975 of cash flow over 30 years, plus what it earned invested.

Same money in stocks$244,940
Cash to close, invested at 7%
$244,940

$32,177 put into an index fund instead of the down payment and closing costs.

The building comes out $468,118 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 $713K, stocks $245K. 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.

2 bed / 2 bath estimate $950/mo · range $800–$1,075

AddressRentBd / BaSq ftDistanceListedMatch
401 N Dewey St, Fairmont 56031 off market $950 2 / 1 1,100 0.6 mi 2026-08-13 84%
1205 Victoria St, Apt 213, Fairmont 56031 $825 2 / 1 850 0.8 mi 2025-03-18 80%
1205 Victoria St, Apt 312, Fairmont 56031 $825 2 / 1 850 0.8 mi 2025-05-15 80%
1205 Victoria St, Apt 114, Fairmont 56031 off market $825 2 / 1 850 0.8 mi 2025-08-26 80%
910 Hengen St, Apt 404, Fairmont 56031 off market $947 2 / 1 700 0.9 mi 2025-12-15 78%
650 Summit Dr, Apt 6, Fairmont 56031 off market $705 2 / 1 700 0.9 mi 2026-04-21 78%
224 S Park St, Apt 2, Fairmont 56031 $600 1 / 1 900 0.0 mi 2026-10-05 73%
1205 Victoria St, Fairmont 56031 off market $695 1 / 1 975 0.8 mi 2026-07-12 72%
1205 Victoria St, Apt 320, Fairmont 56031 off market $1,025 3 / 1 975 0.8 mi 2025-05-15 72%
2602 Poetters Cir, Fairmont 56031 off market $1,050 2 / 2 1,152 2.5 mi 2026-06-23 72%

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

  • highUnit count conflicts: listing text says four units, our data says two and could not match a county parcel Based on: data: listing.unit_count · 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 224 PARK ST S
  • mediumOwner pays gas and city utilities with no cost figures given Listing says: The owner pays the gas, and city utility bill. · AI review
  • mediumNo rents or lease terms given in the listing Based on: data: rent_estimate · AI review

Opportunities

  • Coin-operated laundry gives a small extra income stream Listing says: There is a coin operated washer and dryer in the basement. · AI review
  • Separate electric meters keep electric costs off the owner Listing says: The apartments have separate electric meters. · AI review

Questions for the agent

  • What are the current rents, lease terms and security deposits for all four units?
  • What are the last 12 months of gas and city utility bills?
  • Is the building licensed and legal as a four-unit in Fairmont?
  • How old is the boiler, and is there one boiler heating all four units?
  • What are the property taxes and any special assessments?
  • What does the coin laundry earn per month?

Bottom line

Cheap four-plex on paper, but confirm the unit count, real rents and owner-paid utilities before trusting any of the numbers. 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.$2,272
Insurance / yr Estimateestimate. from units, square feet and age; get a quote$2,527
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 1915: +1 pt capital reserve8% / 9%

Price history Realtor.com

On the market since 2026-09-09 (26 days); last sold for $42,000 on 2017-12-19; listed for rent at $550/mo on 2023-10-11.

DateEventPrice
Listed$139,900
Removed—
Listed for rent$550/mo
Removed—
Listed for rent$550/mo
Removed—
Listed for rent$550/mo
Removed—
Listed for rent$525/mo
Removed—
Listed for rent$500/mo
Removed—
Listed for rent$525/mo
Removed—
Rent changed$525/mo
Listed for rent$475/mo
Removed—
Listed for rent$475/mo
Removed—
Rent changed$475/mo
Listed for rent$500/mo
Sold$42,000
Price changed$42,000
Listed$48,000
Sold$52,500

From the listing Listing

Listed asmulti-family
Property tax, 2026$2,272
CountyMartin County
Parcel number232690340

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 Fairmont on rental licensing before you buy.