| Summary | National Percentile | Rank vs Metro |
|---|---|---|
| Housing | 75th | Fair |
| Demographics | 50th | Poor |
| Amenities | 82nd | Best |
Multifamily Valuation
| Property Details | |
|---|---|
| Address | 2540 College Ave, Berkeley, CA, 94704, US |
| Region / Metro | Berkeley |
| Year of Construction | 1972 |
| Units | 39 |
| Transaction Date | 1993-12-23 |
| Transaction Price | $1,680,000 |
| Buyer | HOFF CHRISTOPHER |
| Seller | NGUYEN VU CUONG TAT |
2540 College Ave, Berkeley CA Multifamily Investment
Urban-core asset with dense amenities and a deep renter base supported by a high-cost ownership market, according to WDSuite’s CRE market data. Neighborhood occupancy trends are softer than national norms, so performance hinges on leasing execution and product positioning.
This Urban Core neighborhood in Berkeley scores a B+ and ranks 137 out of 469 within the Oakland-Berkeley-Livermore metro—competitive among peer neighborhoods and above the metro median. Amenity access is a clear strength: restaurants, cafes, groceries, and pharmacies place the area in upper national percentiles, supporting day-to-day convenience and walkable living that tends to bolster renter demand.
Neighborhood occupancy is below national averages, with recent softness indicating the need for proactive leasing and renewal strategies. At the same time, renter-occupied housing accounts for a majority of units locally (high renter concentration), which points to a sizable tenant base for multifamily product and stable demand through the cycle when operations are well managed.
Home values sit in elevated national percentiles, characterizing a high-cost ownership market. For investors, this typically sustains reliance on rental housing and can support pricing power, though it also calls for careful rent-to-income monitoring to manage retention risk. Median school ratings in the area trend lower, which may skew demand more toward students, young professionals, and smaller households rather than family renters.
Within a 3-mile radius, population and household counts have expanded and are projected to continue growing, with household sizes trending smaller. This combination increases the pool of prospective renters and supports absorption for well-positioned units. Based on CRE market data from WDSuite, the neighborhood’s amenity density and renter concentration remain long-run advantages despite cyclical occupancy variability.
Safety indicators trend weaker than both metro and national benchmarks. The neighborhood’s crime rank is toward the bottom among 469 metro neighborhoods, and national comparisons place it in lower percentiles for safety. For investors, this suggests underwriting for enhanced security measures, well-lit common areas, and professional property management to support resident satisfaction and retention.
Context matters in dense urban locations: activity and foot traffic can be high alongside strong retail and transit access. Monitoring trend direction and block-by-block dynamics over time—using consistent datasets such as WDSuite’s CRE market data—can help inform operating plans and capital priorities.
Proximity to established corporate hubs supports a diversified employment base and commuter demand for rentals. Nearby anchors include Clorox, Gap, AIG, Salesforce, and Charles Schwab—providing a broad mix of headquarters and office roles within a manageable radius.
- Clorox — consumer products HQ (4.3 miles) — HQ
- Gap — retail apparel HQ (9.0 miles) — HQ
- Aig — insurance offices (9.1 miles)
- Salesforce.com — enterprise software HQ (9.1 miles) — HQ
- Charles Schwab — financial services HQ (9.1 miles) — HQ
2540 College Ave offers a 39-unit footprint in a high-amenity Berkeley location where renter concentration and elevated home values tend to reinforce multifamily demand. The 1972 vintage is newer than much of the nearby prewar stock, providing relative competitiveness while leaving room for modernization to enhance rentability and operating efficiency. According to commercial real estate analysis from WDSuite, neighborhood occupancy has trailed national norms recently, making thoughtful leasing strategy and product differentiation important.
Within a 3-mile radius, steady population growth, rising household counts, and smaller average household sizes point to a larger tenant base over time. High ownership costs support pricing power for well-positioned units, but rent-to-income levels call for careful renewal management and amenity-driven value. Execution around safety, maintenance, and resident experience remains central to sustained performance.
- Amenity-dense urban location with strong daily needs coverage and walkability
- Majority renter-occupied housing supports a deep tenant base and leasing velocity
- 1972 vintage offers value-add potential via targeted upgrades and systems modernization
- High-cost ownership market can bolster pricing power for well-positioned units
- Risks: below-average neighborhood occupancy, safety considerations, and rent-to-income pressure require active management