How the Academia Deal Score works
The Academia Deal Score is a 0–100 ranking of how favorable a South Florida distressed listing's entry looks on the public MLS data we have. It weights four factors: discount depth (40%), days on market (20%), price per square foot versus the area median (25%), and seller-motivation signals (15%). It is not an appraisal, a valuation, or investment advice — it is a screen to help you find and compare deals faster.
We never invent data. If the MLS feed omits a factor for a listing, we score that factor neutral and label it an assumption right on the listing. Every number carries its basis.
The four factors
Discount depth
40% of scoreHow far the current list price sits below the original list price, straight from the MLS. Full marks at 25% or deeper. This is the single biggest factor because entry price is what an investor controls least after closing.
Days on market
20% of scoreLonger time on market means more seller fatigue and more negotiating leverage for the buyer. Full marks at 120+ days. When the feed doesn't report days on market, we score this term neutral and say so on the listing.
$/sqft vs area median
25% of scoreThe listing's price per square foot against the median price per square foot of the properties we're tracking. At or below 60% of the area median earns full marks; at or above the median earns none. A low $/sqft can signal value — or lower condition or location. We say that on every listing; it is a screen, not a verdict.
Seller-motivation signals
15% of scoreDistress language parsed from the public remarks — "sold as-is", "short sale", "foreclosure", "estate", "motivated", "value-add", "tenant-occupied", "cash only". Strong language scores highest, soft language partial, none the lowest.
Reading the bands
Prime
80–100
Strong
65–79
Fair
45–64
Thin
0–44
“The score exists to save an investor time, not to make the decision for them. It ranks the entry on the data the MLS actually gives us — and it tells you when a factor is missing instead of guessing. That honesty is the whole point.”
Frequently asked
Is the Deal Score an appraisal or a valuation?
No. It is a transparent ranking of how favorable a listing's entry looks on the public MLS data we have. It is not an appraisal, an ARV, a valuation, or investment advice. Always verify with your own diligence and a licensed professional.
What data does the Deal Score use?
Four inputs from the live MLS feed: percentage discount from original list price (40% of the score), days on market (20%), price per square foot versus the area median (25%), and seller-motivation language in the listing remarks (15%).
Why does the score sometimes say a factor was "assumed"?
When the MLS feed omits a field — for example, days on market or square footage — we do not invent a number. We score that one factor neutral and disclose the assumption on the listing. Honesty about missing data is a core rule of this system.
Does a higher Deal Score mean a property is a good investment?
Not on its own. A high score means the entry looks favorable on price, time on market, price efficiency, and seller motivation. Condition, location, title, tenancy, and financing still have to be verified before you act.