| Summary | National Percentile | Rank vs Metro |
|---|---|---|
| Housing | 56th | Fair |
| Demographics | 25th | Fair |
| Amenities | 59th | Best |
Multifamily Valuation
| Property Details | |
|---|---|
| Address | 615 Kern St, Shafter, CA, 93263, US |
| Region / Metro | Shafter |
| Year of Construction | 1973 |
| Units | 20 |
| Transaction Date | 2000-09-07 |
| Transaction Price | $450,000 |
| Buyer | OSMAN RENE |
| Seller | SHAFTER VILLAGE |
615 Kern St, Shafter — 20-Unit Value-Add Multifamily
Neighborhood occupancy trends sit around the metro median and above national norms, supporting stable leasing dynamics; according to WDSuite’s CRE market data, renter demand is reinforced by attainable rents and a solid local amenity base.
Positioned in Shafter’s Inner Suburb cluster, the neighborhood rates A- and ranks 38 out of 247 within the Bakersfield metro, indicating competitive standing among peer neighborhoods. Amenity access is a clear strength: grocery and pharmacy density sit in the top decile nationally, with restaurants and cafes also testing well above average. Parks availability likewise trends strong, contributing to day‑to‑day livability that supports tenant retention.
Occupancy for the neighborhood is above the national median and roughly around the metro median, signaling balanced supply–demand conditions that can underpin cash‑flow stability. Neighborhood contract rents sit near mid‑market levels, and the rent‑to‑income ratio near the high‑teens suggests manageable affordability pressure from an investor perspective, aiding renewals and minimizing turnover risk.
Vintage context matters: the area’s average construction year skews older (1950s). The subject property’s 1973 build is newer than the neighborhood norm, offering relative competitiveness versus older stock, while still leaving room for targeted modernization and systems upgrades to capture value‑add upside and improve operating efficiency.
Tenure dynamics indicate a moderate renter base in the immediate neighborhood (about one‑third of housing units are renter‑occupied), while demographic data aggregated within a 3‑mile radius shows a larger renter pool (roughly two‑fifths). Combined with modest population and household growth in the 3‑mile radius and rising incomes, this points to a durable tenant base that can support occupancy and steady leasing. School ratings trail national norms, which may be a consideration for family‑oriented marketing but does not preclude workforce‑housing demand given the area’s service and retail amenity mix.
Safety indicators compare favorably in a national context, with the neighborhood performing above the U.S. median and competitive among Bakersfield submarkets. Interpreting the metro rank, the area sits in the top quartile among 247 Bakersfield‑area neighborhoods, indicating comparatively lower reported crime relative to many local peers.
Recent trends are mixed: property offenses show a year‑over‑year decline, which is constructive for asset operations, while violent‑crime measures have seen a recent uptick. Investors should frame this as a monitoring item rather than a defining characteristic, tracking multi‑year trends and on‑the‑ground management practices to maintain resident confidence and leasing performance.
615 Kern St offers a 20‑unit footprint with average unit sizes near 880 sq. ft., creating flexible layouts for workforce households. Based on CRE market data from WDSuite, neighborhood occupancy sits above national norms and around the metro median, while rents remain attainable relative to incomes, supporting retention and smoothing renewal negotiations. The 1973 vintage is newer than the neighborhood’s predominantly 1950s housing stock, presenting a practical path for value‑add through targeted interior refreshes and building‑system improvements.
Demographics aggregated within a 3‑mile radius point to modest population growth, an increase in households, and rising incomes over recent years, with further household gains projected — all supportive of renter pool expansion and occupancy stability. Elevated ownership costs in the broader context, combined with a moderate renter concentration locally, suggest a steady pipeline of renters who value convenience and attainable pricing, while strong amenity access (grocers, pharmacies, restaurants, parks) underpins day‑to‑day livability and lease retention.
- Competitive neighborhood standing (top tier locally) with above‑median national safety context
- Occupancy around the metro median and attainable rents support stable cash flow
- 1973 vintage newer than area average — clear value‑add pathway via modernization
- 3‑mile demographics show household growth and income gains, reinforcing renter demand
- Risks: school quality below national norms and mixed recent crime trends warrant monitoring