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731 College Ave

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

Red Wing, MN · View the listing ↗

Cash flows

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

Asking price
$239,000
2 units · $120K per unit
Monthly cash flow
$499
at 20% down, 7%
Estimated rent
$3,150/mo
medium confidence
Break-even price
$332,837
where cash flow hits $0

Adjust the numbers See the full breakdown

First look

This is a 1880 duplex in Red Wing at $239K, 136 days on market. Our numbers show about $499/mo cash flow and an 8.9% cap at ask, using $1,575 per 1-bed unit. That only holds if the rent estimates are real, and the listing gives no actual rents, lease terms or expenses. The county parcel didn't match, so taxes and legal unit count are unverified. Get the rent roll, tax bill and heat setup first. The photos show tidy, dated-but-clean units, so it's worth a showing if the real rents are near $1,500.

Things to consider

  1. Rents are unverified Our $1,575 per unit estimate drives the $499/mo cash flow. If actual rents are lower, the deal weakens quickly.
  2. Taxes and unit count unconfirmed No county parcel match, so tax and legal unit status are unknown. Taxes could move the numbers a lot.
  3. Strong cap rate at ask 8.9% cap and a break-even price of $333K suggest room, if inputs hold.
  4. Long time on market 136 days gives leverage to negotiate, but ask why it hasn't sold.
  5. Old building, newer cosmetics Updates look largely cosmetic; 1880 systems need inspection.

From the photos

Listing photo 2
1 of 8Plus

Kitchen appears updated with white cabinets, stainless appliances and laminate counters; mid-grade, not high-end

Listing photo 3
2 of 8Concern

Vinyl flooring in kitchen and dining looks dated, though clean

Listing photo 4
3 of 8Check

Baseboard hot-water heat visible; suggests a boiler, so check whether it's one system or separate

Listing photo 5
4 of 8Plus

Bathroom has tiled walk-in shower and appears clean and updated

Listing photo 7
5 of 8Plus

In-unit washer and dryer in a closet

Listing photo 8
6 of 8Check

Porch and siding look decent, but the front steps appear worn

Listing photo 9
7 of 8Check

Wall-mounted AC unit in the lower living area; cooling appears to be window/wall units

Listing photo 10
8 of 8Concern

Exposed wood posts and framing under the rear deck, and a cracked concrete pad

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

Condition and repairs

  • doneWater heaters updatedListing says: Updates include water heaters, newer upstairs A/C, updated kitchens and baths
  • doneUpstairs A/CListing says: Updates include water heaters, newer upstairs A/C, updated kitchens and baths
  • doneKitchens and baths updatedListing says: Updates include water heaters, newer upstairs A/C, updated kitchens and baths
  • doneNewer carpet in both unitsListing says: newer carpet in 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
$239,000
Cash to close
$54,970
Price per unit
$119,500
GRM
6.3

Each month

Cash flow
$499/mo
Cash-on-cash
10.9%
Cap rate
8.9%
DSCR
1.39×

Break-even

Price that breaks even
$332,837
Rent that breaks even
$2,501/mo

Long run

Year 30: property vs stocks
$1.80M vs $418K
Cash flow turns positive
year 1

Monthly

Monthly breakdown

Rent$3,150
Vacancy (6%)−$189
Collected$2,961
Property tax Listing−$222
Insurance Estimate−$202
Water, sewer, trash Estimate−$170
Lawn care ($120 × 6 mo ÷ 12)−$60
Repairs (8% of rent)−$252
Capital reserve (9% of rent)−$284
Net operating income$1,772
Mortgage (principal + interest)−$1,272
Cash flow$499
Principal paid down (equity, not cash)$162

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$1,798,731
Your equity when you sell
$545,309

Sells for $580,116 (value up 3% a year), minus 6% selling cost ($34,807). Rent paid down $191,200 of loan.

Rental profits, invested at 7%
$1,253,423

$521,654 of cash flow over 30 years, plus what it earned invested.

Same money in stocks$418,446
Cash to close, invested at 7%
$418,446

$54,970 put into an index fund instead of the down payment and closing costs.

The building comes out $1,380,285 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 $1.80M, stocks $418K. 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 $1,575/mo · range $1,325–$1,800

AddressRentBd / BaSq ftDistanceListedMatch
314 W 4th St, Apt 401, Red Wing 55066 off market $1,800 1 / 1 842 0.4 mi 2026-08-21 88%
703 W 5th St, Apt 3, Red Wing 55066 off market $845 1 / 1 700 0.2 mi 2026-07-27 86%
314 W 4th St, Apt 202, Red Wing 55066 $1,450 1 / 1 591 0.4 mi 2026-10-05 84%
545 E 7th St, Unit B, Red Wing 55066 off market $995 1 / 1 650 1.0 mi 2023-05-21 84%
222 Bush St, # 302, Red Wing 55066 off market $1,425 1 / 1 571 0.4 mi 2026-07-07 84%
222 Bush St, Unit 302, Red Wing 55066 off market $1,425 1 / 1 571 0.4 mi 2026-06-29 84%
222 Bush St, Apt 112, Red Wing 55066 off market $1,250 1 / 1 570 0.4 mi 2026-06-11 84%
222 Bush St, Apt 113, Red Wing 55066 off market $1,490 1 / 1 570 0.4 mi 2026-03-03 84%
314 W 4th St, Apt 312, Red Wing 55066 off market $1,425 1 / 1 531 0.4 mi 2026-09-30 83%
222 Bush St, Red Wing 55066 $1,390 1 / 1 528 0.4 mi 2026-08-01 83%

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 731 COLLEGE AVE
  • mediumNo rents, lease terms or expenses given; income is unverified Listing says: a well maintained property with a strong rental history and consistent occupancy · AI review
  • mediumBuilt 1880 with unknown foundation, wiring and plumbing age Based on: data: listing.year_built · AI review
  • lowBack-side photo shows aging wood posts and exposed framing under the deck, plus a wall AC unit Based on: photo 10 · AI review

Opportunities

  • Long time on market: room to negotiate. Based on: Listing data: 136 days on market
  • Owner-occupy one unit and rent the other Listing says: live in one unit and offset your mortgage with rental income · AI review
  • Private laundry and appliances in each unit support rentability Listing says: Each unit offers private laundry and includes all major appliances. · AI review

Questions for the agent

  • What are the current rents, lease end dates and deposits for each unit?
  • What are the actual property taxes, and is this a legal licensed duplex?
  • How is heat metered? Baseboard hot water suggests a shared boiler.
  • Who pays water, sewer, trash and electric?
  • Why has it sat 136 days, and have there been price cuts or offers?
  • How old are the roof, boiler, electrical panels and foundation?

Bottom line

Clean, updated-looking 1880 duplex that pencils at ask if rents hit about $1,575 each, but nothing is verified yet. 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.$2,668
Insurance / yr Estimateestimate. from units, square feet and age; get a quote$2,420
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 2026-05-22 (136 days); down $26,000 (9.8%) from the first ask of $265,000; last sold for $100,000 on 2006-06-13.

DateEventPrice
Price changed$239,000
Price changed$245,000
Relisted$265,000
Removed—
Listed$265,000
Sold$100,000
Listed$106,500
Sold public record$68,900
Sold$48,000
Listed$53,820

From the listing Listing

Listed asduplex up and down
Property tax, 2025$2,668
CountyGoodhue
Parcel number553000850

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 Red Wing on rental licensing before you buy.