How the Academia Deal Score works
The Academia Deal Score is a 0–100 ranking of how favorable a South Florida distressed listing's deal math looks on real MLS data. It weights four factors: estimated equity to a comp-based ARV (40%), discount depth (20%), days on market (20%), and seller-motivation signals (20%). 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
Estimated equity
40% of scoreThe spread between the after-repair value (ARV) — estimated from RECENT CLOSED sales of comparable homes, not other active list prices — and the all-in basis (list price plus a rate-card rehab estimate plus transaction and carry costs). Full marks at 30% equity or better. This is the biggest factor because real equity is what makes a deal a deal. CURRENTLY SCORED NEUTRAL: we are rebuilding comparable-sale selection so that it no longer references the asking price, and we will not score equity from an estimate we are not willing to publish. Until that ships, this factor contributes the same neutral value to every listing and is labelled an assumption on each listing's score breakdown. When no comparable closed sales are found, we score this neutral and say so on the listing.
Discount depth
20% of scoreHow far the current list price sits below the original list price, straight from the MLS. Full marks at 25% or deeper. A deep cut signals a motivated seller and negotiating room.
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.
Seller-motivation signals
20% 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: estimated equity to a comp-based after-repair value from recent closed sales (40% of the score), percentage discount from original list price (20%), days on market (20%), and seller-motivation language in the listing remarks (20%).
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.