| Summary | National Percentile | Rank vs Metro |
|---|---|---|
| Housing | 41st | Poor |
| Demographics | 39th | Good |
| Amenities | 27th | Good |
Multifamily Valuation
| Property Details | |
|---|---|
| Address | 3850 Q St, Bakersfield, CA, 93301, US |
| Region / Metro | Bakersfield |
| Year of Construction | 1985 |
| Units | 60 |
| Transaction Date | 1995-03-07 |
| Transaction Price | $1,300,000 |
| Buyer | BENNETT WILLIAM P |
| Seller | PACIFIC COAST PROPERTIES |
3850 Q St, Bakersfield CA Multifamily Investment
Stabilized renter demand in Bakersfield’s inner suburb, with unit mix and scale suited to workforce housing, according to WDSuite’s CRE market data. Neighborhood occupancy trends and renter concentration point to steady leasing potential with operational focus on affordability and retention.
The property sits in an Inner Suburb of Bakersfield that is above the metro median on overall amenities (ranked 108 among 247 metro neighborhoods), driven largely by strong access to pharmacies (top percentile nationally), while parks, groceries, and cafes are relatively sparse. For residents, this suggests day-to-day healthcare convenience but a need to rely on nearby corridors for broader retail and recreation — considerations that can influence tenant retention and lease management.
Neighborhood housing dynamics show an occupancy level that tracks below the metro average, indicating leasing conditions where asset-level operations and marketing matter. The share of renter-occupied housing units in the immediate neighborhood is 47.4%, signaling a meaningful renter base locally. Within a 3-mile radius, renters account for a larger share of housing, reinforcing depth of demand for multifamily units and supporting occupancy stability over time.
Demographics aggregated within a 3-mile radius point to recent population growth and a notable increase in households, alongside a modest decline in average household size — dynamics that expand the tenant base and support absorption of smaller-format units. Median contract rents remain relatively accessible in the area, helping sustain demand but requiring careful pricing decisions to balance occupancy and rent-to-income affordability pressures. This balance is important for lease renewals and collections in workforce-oriented submarkets.
The asset’s 1985 construction is newer than the neighborhood’s typical vintage (1970s stock). That positioning can be competitively helpful versus older buildings, while still warranting targeted capital planning for aging systems and common-area refreshes to drive rent readiness and value-add outcomes. Average unit sizes near 600 sf align with smaller-household living patterns locally, which can support leasing velocity for studios and one-bedrooms as part of a pragmatic commercial real estate analysis.
Safety indicators for the neighborhood are weaker than metro and national norms. The area’s crime standing is in the lower tiers locally (ranked 205 out of 247 Bakersfield neighborhoods) and falls below the national median (around the low-20s percentile nationally). For investors, this calls for proven property management practices — lighting, access control, and community engagement — to support resident satisfaction and retention.
Recent-year changes in reported violent and property offenses signal variability, so underwriting should incorporate prudent security and insurance assumptions. Comparable assets in similar Bakersfield locations can perform reliably when operators align on-the-ground measures with tenant expectations and emphasize responsive management.
The submarket draws on a broad Central Valley employment base across healthcare, government, logistics, and energy services, supporting workforce housing demand and reasonable commute times for residents.
A 60-unit, 1985-vintage asset in Bakersfield’s Inner Suburb offers durable workforce demand supported by a sizable renter pool within a 3-mile radius and smaller-household living patterns that align with the property’s compact average unit sizes. Neighborhood occupancy trends run below the metro average, but depth of renters and accessible rent levels can support stabilized lease-up and renewals with disciplined operations, based on CRE market data from WDSuite.
Relative to older 1970s-era stock nearby, the vintage provides a competitive baseline with potential to unlock value through targeted systems upgrades and common-area improvements. Investors should calibrate pricing to local rent-to-income realities and plan for active management around safety and amenities to sustain occupancy and cash flow.
- Workforce renter base within 3 miles supports steady multifamily demand and leasing.
- 1985 vintage offers competitive positioning versus older neighborhood stock with value-add potential.
- Compact average unit sizes align with smaller-household trends, aiding lease velocity.
- Pricing power balanced by local rent-to-income realities; operational focus can support retention.
- Risks: below-metro safety metrics and amenity gaps require proactive management and security planning.