801 Franklin St #205
Higher is a better buy. 50 is "priced about right for what it is". The last step curves the raw advantage onto 0–100, so points stop being one-for-one at the extremes.
💵What this unit actually costs per month
38% of that payment is not the mortgage. The HOA fee alone is $48,960 over five years — money that buys you no equity. A calculator that defaulted the fee to zero would have quoted you $2,533.
Not FHA-approved. No 3.5%-down FHA financing on this unit, so the realistic floor is a 5%-down conventional loan ($18,750). Common for small associations and not a defect on its own, but it does remove FHA buyers from your resale pool.
Minimum realistic down payment here: 5% · verify on HUD's lookup
Rate is the Freddie Mac PMMS 30-year average for the week of 2026-10-08 — a national survey figure, not a quote. Tax, insurance and closing costs are estimates; your own Loan Estimate is the real number.
This building's HOA fees
✅ Fairly steady · +5%/yrReconstructed from 24 units of recorded sales at 801 Franklin St — every recorded sale carries its HOA fee and date. No listing site shows this.
These dues have held relatively steady (about +5%/yr over 5 years across 24 units) — a good sign. Only the reserve study confirms the building is keeping up with its big-ticket repairs.
🏢 Get this building's full reserve & assessment report — free →✅ Positives
- Best $/sf of 9 tracked in Chinatown
- 22% below model fair value
- On market 207 days → strong negotiating leverage
- Garage parking
⚠️ Cons
- HOA $816/mo
- Photos look dim — verify light in person
🚩 Red flags
- Back on market — a pending sale fell through (relisted Oct 2) — ask why
Photos
Price history (this unit)
- May 20, 2026 — Price Changed $375,000
- Feb 23, 2026 — Listed $390,000
- Apr 22, 1998 — Sold (MLS) $160,000
- Apr 22, 1998 — Sold (Public Records) $160,000
- Feb 25, 1998 — Listed $168,000
- May 24, 1996 — Sold (Public Records) $140,000
Description
Entire unit newly renovated. MUST see all the updated appliances, a very large balcony with large sliding glass doors. Move in ready. Easy access to public transportation, Farmer's Market on Fridays, close to banks, restaurants and health care services.