Hidden Gem, Income Potential, Garage
1970 Martin Home with Finished Lower Suite and Private Entry — $135,000
6
out of 10
HousesUnder150K Score
Property Merit 50% · Condition 25% · Price/Sq Ft 15% · Market 10%
| Category | Wt. | Score | Detail |
|---|---|---|---|
| Property Merit | 50% | 7 | 4BR/2BA, 2024 sqft, dual exterior entrances, finished lower suite, detached garage, shed |
| Condition | 25% | 7 | Described as move-in ready and updated; no system dates named, no major red flags |
| Price / Sq Ft | 15% | 5 | Listing $67/sqft; zip median unavailable — scored neutral per policy |
| Price vs. Market | 5% | 5 | Zip median sale price $0 — no valid market comparison available; scored neutral |
| Market Conditions | 5% | 5 | Zero transaction data; 33% price drops noted but market essentially unmeasurable — floored at 5 |
The thing that stands out here is the layout. Two exterior entrances, one for the main level and one for the lower level, which has its own full bath, family room, laundry room, and two bedrooms. That lower floor functions as a self-contained suite. Most houses in this price range are just a house. This one can work as two, which changes what you can do with it.
The main level runs a kitchen and dining area that open into a living space, two bedrooms, and a full bath. Straightforward. The lower level mirrors it closely enough that the two halves feel intentional rather than improvised. If you have aging parents, adult kids, or anyone you want close but not on top of you, this setup gives you that. If you want to rent the lower unit and offset the mortgage, that door and that bath make it possible without anyone walking through your living room.
The lot is in town, with mature trees and some privacy, which you don't always get on a city street. There's a detached single-car garage and a storage shed.
At 2,024 square feet for $135,000, you're paying $67 per square foot. Market comparison data for Martin is thin, so it's hard to say exactly where that lands against comparable sales. What you can say is that 2,000 square feet with a finished lower level and dual-access layout at that price point is a lot of house for the money by most measures.
The agent description calls it updated and move-in ready but names no dates, no systems, no specifics. That's worth following up on before you commit. You'd want to know the age of the roof, the furnace, the water heater. The listing doesn't tell you and neither does the price, so ask.
What this gives you is a four-bedroom home with real flexibility built into its structure. The dual-entrance layout was planned for a reason, and at this price, you can use that reason for yourself.
