12500 MERIT DR, DALLAS, TX, 752511903
$47,000,000
2025 Appraised Value
↑ 0.0% from prior year
La Costa Villa presents a forced-liquidity opportunity masked by operational cosmetics. The 260-unit 1997 vintage is undershooting market rents by 10.1% ($1.155M vs. $1.285M comps) while carrying aggressive concessions, yet the acute debt maturity—a $22M ARM due June 2026 at 3.3x LTV against current appraisal—creates a 18-month transaction window that will drive pricing. The property's 4.78x DSCR and zero pipeline supply suggest operational stabilization potential, but persistent tenant complaints (30.5% one-star reviews citing mold, water infiltration, pest issues) reveal capex-deferred conditions that will suppress NOI expansion and complicate refinancing absent material capital injection. Demographically, the property sits in a transitional submarket where the immediate 1-mile radius (12.7% earning under $25K, 71% renters) constrains rent growth despite 5-mile affluence, and the extreme 92.3% concentration in 1BR units creates atypical demand risk. The $31.4M estimated sale price sits 33% below appraised value, indicating either embedded capex requirements or appraisal inflation—this gap must be reconciled through physical inspection and NOI reforecasting before proceeding.
Verdict: Watch-list/conditional pass. The forced refinance timeline and below-market positioning offer acquisition leverage, but the operational condition issues and unit-mix outlier require rigorous due diligence; this is a turnaround play, not a stabilized hold.
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Luxury Apartments and Townhomes - Luxurious Modern Living
Luxury apartments and townhomes in North Dallas offering modern living with upscale amenities, pet-friendly policies, and thoughtfully designed units featuring nine-foot ceilings, upgraded cabinetry, stainless-steel appliances, quartz countertops, and private balconies.
La Costa Villa presents a partially renovated Class B garden/mid-rise property with meaningful value-add opportunity. Approximately 50% of units have been updated (2010–2015 era), featuring white painted cabinetry, subway tile backsplashes, and quartz countertops, while the remaining stock retains original builder-grade finishes from 1997. Paint condition is mixed—9 units fresh, 10 scuffed—indicating inconsistent unit-level maintenance. The single exterior photo reveals a weathered entry door with heavy dust accumulation, signaling deferred curb appeal work. With 260 units and only 40 photos analyzed, the dataset is limited, but the split between "good" (19 units) and "fair/poor" (11 units) condition suggests a systematic phased renovation could drive material uplift; completing the unfinished 50% of units plus exterior refresh would be primary levers.
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Location Assessment: Moderate Walkability Constrains Rent Upside
The property's 66 walk score and 42 transit score position it as car-dependent despite modest bikability (64), limiting tenant appeal to those prioritizing urban convenience—a mismatch for the $1.155M implied average rent. The "Somewhat Walkable" designation suggests incomplete neighborhood retail/dining density and likely longer commute times to Dallas employment centers, which typically compress rents in submarkets without direct transit access. This rent positioning assumes either below-market location fundamentals, strong on-site amenities to offset walkability gaps, or a workforce less sensitive to commute friction—worth stress-testing against comparable asking rents in more transit-proximate neighborhoods.
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Pipeline Analysis: LA COSTA VILLA
Zero units are in the nearby development pipeline, eliminating supply-side pressure on occupancy and rental rates. With submarket vacancy improving and no competing deliveries on the horizon, the property benefits from a supply-constrained environment that should support pricing power in the near term.
No multifamily construction permits found within 3 miles
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Refinancing risk is acute: The $22M Walker & Dunlop ARM originated in June 2018 matures in June 2026 with no rate disclosed; at current market conditions, refi on a $181K/unit loan against a $121K/unit appraised value creates meaningful stress, especially given the 3.3x loan-to-current-sale-price ratio. The terminated Davis-Penn FHA loan ($16.6M at 2.48%, maturing 2048) suggests the 2018 transaction was a refi-out, not a new purchase, masking true leverage. The 4.78x DSCR appears healthy on paper but requires scrutiny—it may reflect pre-pandemic NOI or understate operating risk given the absentee structure. The quit-claim deed in 2018 (entity refinance with no consideration stated) combined with 23-year hold by LP ownership signals a matured asset seeking liquidity, not distress, but the ARM maturity window creates a forced-transaction dynamic within 18–24 months.
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La Costa Villa sits 59 basis points below market cap rate (6.28% vs. 5.69%), signaling value-add positioning despite 27-year-old vintage. NOI per unit of $7,593 trails submarket by roughly 15%, consistent with a 45% opex ratio that likely has optimization runway. The $31.4M estimated sale price sits $15.6M below appraised value—a 33% discount suggesting either significant deferred capex, a below-market rent roll, or appraisal inflation; the 4.2% implied cap rate further indicates the appraisal assumes material NOI expansion. DSCR of 4.78x and 0.4% vacancy reflect strong stabilization metrics, but the property's underperformance relative to submarket comparables at similar rent-to-value suggests the spread is operational rather than cyclical.
Estimated from loan records, rental listings, and appraisal data using industry-standard assumptions.
Based on most recent loan: $22,000,000 (Jun 2018, attom)
Computed from nearby properties within 3 miles of similar vintage
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LA COSTA VILLA is a 260-unit garden-style apartment community built in 1997 with excellent quality finishes and good condition; the 3-story wood-frame property totals 253.4K SF with 237.1K SF net leasable area. Units feature nine-foot ceilings, upgraded cabinetry, stainless-steel appliances, quartz countertops, and private balconies, supported by amenities including a fitness center, pool, pickleball courts, and a pet spa. Parking consists of detached garages and covered options; residents pay separately for electricity, water, sewer, and trash. Located in North Dallas with a Walk Score of 66, the pet-friendly community allows dogs and cats subject to breed restrictions.
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La Costa Villa is undershooting market rents by 10.1% ($1,155 vs. $1,285 comp for 1BR), despite carrying aggressive six-week concessions that signal occupancy pressure. The property shows only one active listing against 260 units, but the March 2026 snapshot logged 7 availables (2.7% vacancy)—suggesting either recent lease-ups or data lag. No rent trend is observable from a single recent transaction (Nov 2024), and the dataset lacks historical concession depth to determine if incentives are widening or tightening. The unit mix is opaque; if the portfolio is predominantly 1BR at $1,155, underperformance vs. market benchmarks warrants review of unit quality, location specificity, or lease terms driving the discount.
Estimated from listed vacancies vs total units
| Unit | Beds | Baths | Sqft | Rent | Status | Listed | Days |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1BR | 1 | 658 | $1,155 | Active | Nov 1 | 522 | |
|
Nov $1,155
|
|||||||
| Apt 3316 | 3BR | 2 | 1,300 | $2,209 | Inactive | Oct 27 | 286 |
| Apt 6323 | 3BR | 2 | 1,300 | $2,184 | Inactive | Nov 5 | 277 |
| Apt 5306 | 2BR | 3 | 1,208 | $1,819 | Inactive | Oct 28 | 285 |
| Apt 6314 | 2BR | 3 | 1,208 | $1,819 | Inactive | Nov 5 | 277 |
| Apt 5314 | 2BR | 3 | 1,208 | $1,819 | Inactive | Oct 28 | 285 |
| Apt 2115 | 2BR | 2 | 942 | $1,791 | Inactive | Oct 27 | 286 |
| Apt 1101 | 2BR | 2 | 942 | $1,791 | Inactive | Oct 27 | 286 |
| Apt 4215 | 2BR | 2 | 942 | $1,781 | Inactive | Oct 27 | 286 |
| Apt 1201 | 2BR | 2 | 942 | $1,781 | Inactive | Oct 27 | 286 |
| Apt 6224 | 2BR | 2 | 942 | $1,781 | Inactive | Oct 28 | 285 |
| Apt 3262 | 1BR | 1 | 942 | $1,513 | Inactive | Sep 29 | 37 |
| Apt 3212 | 1BR | 1 | 723 | $1,401 | Inactive | Nov 5 | 277 |
| Apt 2211 | 1BR | 1 | 723 | $1,377 | Inactive | Oct 27 | 286 |
| Apt 4212 | 1BR | 1 | 723 | $1,376 | Inactive | Oct 28 | 285 |
| Apt 1205 | 1BR | 1 | 723 | $1,374 | Inactive | Oct 27 | 286 |
| Apt 2310 | 1BR | 2 | 860 | $1,369 | Inactive | Oct 27 | 286 |
| Apt 5307 | 1BR | 2 | 860 | $1,344 | Inactive | Oct 28 | 285 |
| Apt 2103 | 1BR | 1 | 658 | $1,322 | Inactive | Oct 27 | 286 |
| Apt 6121 | 1BR | 1 | 658 | $1,321 | Inactive | Nov 5 | 277 |
| Apt 4214 | 1BR | 1 | 658 | $1,309 | Inactive | Oct 27 | 286 |
| Unit 75251 | 1BR | 2 | 860 | $900 | Inactive | Aug 19 | 9 |
| A1 | 1BR | 1 | — | — | Inactive | Mar 20 | — |
| A2 | 2BR | 2 | — | — | Inactive | Mar 20 | — |
| A3 | 3BR | 3 | — | — | Inactive | Mar 20 | — |
| T1 | 1BR | 1 | — | — | Inactive | Mar 20 | — |
| B1 | 2BR | 2 | — | — | Inactive | Mar 20 | — |
| T2 | 2BR | 2 | — | — | Inactive | Mar 20 | — |
| T3 | 3BR | 2 | — | — | Inactive | Mar 20 | — |
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Affordability Risk in Affluent Submarket
La Costa Villa's $1.155K monthly rent is moderately affordable at the 1-mile level (25.7% ratio) but sits tight against broader market capacity: the 3- and 5-mile radii show 19.3% ratios, suggesting the immediate neighborhood (71.0% renter-occupied) skews lower-income relative to the wider trade area. The 1-mile income distribution clusters in the $75K–$100K+ brackets (57.5% combined), but 12.7% of households earn under $25K, creating a bifurcated tenant pool. The sharp income divergence—3-mile median of $86K vs. 5-mile median of $99.8K—indicates the property sits in a transitional zone; while demand depth exists (high renter concentration locally), rent growth will be constrained by the immediate submarket's income ceiling unless unit-level renovation or repositioning targets the affluent 5-mile cohort (25.2% earning $150K+).
Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates (2023) · 2 tracts (1mi)
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Unit Mix Analysis – LA COSTA VILLA
The property is severely skewed toward one-bedroom units (92.3% of 260 units), with only 22 units across two-, three-bedroom, and larger configurations—a concentration that signals either data error or a workforce housing/student-oriented asset. The single available listing shows 1BR units at $1.155M annually ($962/sqft), but without comparable rent data across the two- and three-bedroom stock, we cannot assess whether the mix commands a pricing premium or discount relative to market. This extreme skew misaligns with typical multifamily demand in most metros, where families and dual-income households typically occupy 30–40% of inventory; validation against permit records and recent lease rolls is essential before underwriting proceeds.
Estimated from 22 listed units (8.5% of 260 total)
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Pets, Cats and Dogs allowed. Breed restrictions apply. Refer to leasing office for breed restriction and deposit information.
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Appraisal History – La Costa Villa
With only a single 2025 appraisal at $47.0M, trend analysis is impossible; however, the $180.8K per-unit valuation and 81.0% improvement-to-total-value ratio suggest a stabilized asset with limited redevelopment upside. The 19.0% land value ($8.9M) provides modest basis for value-add through intensification, though the 1997 vintage and current capitalization likely reflect mature operations rather than distressed pricing or recent repricing. Request historical appraisals from 2022–2024 to assess trajectory and validate whether flat YoY movement reflects market stability or stalled appreciation.
| Year | Total Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $47,000,000 | +0.0% |
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Rating trajectory shows management operational turnaround masking systemic property issues. The 1.4-point improvement from 2.9 to 4.3 over the last six months is driven almost entirely by recent 5-star reviews praising maintenance technician "Pepe" and leasing staff (George), but the 87 one-star reviews (30.5% of total) reveal persistent complaints: pest/mold infestations, water leaks unresolved for months, aggressive ancillary parking fees, and management hostility. The bimodal distribution—143 fives and 87 ones with minimal middle ratings—suggests recent management hired competent operational staff while underlying capital deferred maintenance and tenant relations remain problematic. For underwriting, the improved operational score masks that property condition issues (structural water infiltration, pest control) require capex investment beyond typical maintenance, and the recurring management churn signals deeper organizational dysfunction.
285 reviews total
love the place with very convenient location with perfecr plan feel like home style with friendly helpness staff.
Owner response
Hi Annie, thank you for your wonderful review! We're delighted to hear that you love the location and feel at home with our team. Your feedback is greatly appreciated!
Have toured twice and both consultants were very helpful.
Owner response
Hi Mel Pap, thank you for sharing your positive experience with our team. We're delighted to hear that our consultants were helpful during your tours. We look forward to welcoming you again!
George was so kind in showing us the complex. Very informative and helpful.
Owner response
Hi Murray, thank you for sharing your positive experience! We're glad to hear that George was informative and helpful during your visit. We appreciate your feedback and look forward to welcoming you again.
Great work thank you so much
Owner response
Hi Antarias Daddy, thank you for your kind words! We're delighted to hear that you had a positive experience. We look forward to serving you again in the future!
Recently moved in and have had a great experience so far. The staff is very welcoming and helpful, maintenance requests are handled quickly, and the area is great. I’m really happy with my decision to move here.
Owner response
Hi Nichole,
Thank you for sharing your positive experience! We're delighted to hear that you're enjoying your new home and that our team has been helpful. If you need anything in the future, feel free to reach out. Welcome to the community!
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