| Summary | National Percentile | Rank vs Metro |
|---|---|---|
| Housing | 78th | Good |
| Demographics | 40th | Fair |
| Amenities | 61st | Good |
Multifamily Valuation
| Property Details | |
|---|---|
| Address | 14617 Vanowen St, Van Nuys, CA, 91405, US |
| Region / Metro | Van Nuys |
| Year of Construction | 1988 |
| Units | 25 |
| Transaction Date | 2000-06-20 |
| Transaction Price | $1,625,000 |
| Buyer | SCHERER WILLIAM S |
| Seller | GAGLIANO STEVE |
14617 Vanowen St Van Nuys Multifamily Investment
Renter demand is supported by a high neighborhood renter-occupied share and low-90s occupancy, with ownership costs elevated for the area, according to WDSuite’s CRE market data. This location offers durable tenant depth in Los Angeles’ Urban Core while allowing for operational upside at the asset level.
The property sits in an Urban Core pocket of Van Nuys rated B- among 1,441 Los Angeles metro neighborhoods, with the area’s livability anchored by strong daily convenience and dining density. Neighborhood dining and cafe presence rank in the top quartile nationally, and pharmacy access is among the strongest in the country, while park space and formal childcare options are limited. School ratings trend below national norms, which may affect family appeal but has less impact on workforce-oriented renter demand.
From a housing perspective, the neighborhood’s renter-occupied share is high (about 72%), indicating a deep tenant base and consistent leasing activity for multifamily assets. Neighborhood occupancy is in the low 90s and has eased modestly over the past few years, suggesting careful lease management can help sustain stability. Median contract rents are above the national middle and have trended upward over five years, reinforcing the need for disciplined pricing and renewal strategies.
Within a 3-mile radius, demographics show households have grown even as overall population has edged down, implying smaller household sizes and a broader renter pool. Looking ahead to the published forecast window, household counts are projected to increase further with smaller average household size, which typically supports apartment absorption and lease-up in infill Los Angeles locations. Elevated home values and a high value-to-income ratio place ownership in a higher-cost category locally, which tends to sustain reliance on rental housing and supports pricing power when operations are well executed.
Asset vintage matters: built in 1988, the property is newer than the neighborhood’s average 1970s building stock. That positioning can be competitively advantageous versus older comparables, while still leaving room for targeted modernization of systems and interiors to capture value-add upside and enhance retention.
Safety indicators in this neighborhood compare favorably at the national level, with overall crime metrics in the top quartile nationally and better-than-average readings for both property and violent offenses. Recent year-over-year trends point to notable declines in incident rates, which, while not a guarantee, align with improving conditions that can support resident retention and reduce operational friction.
Compared with the 1,441 Los Angeles metro neighborhoods, the area performs competitively rather than exceptionally; investors should underwrite normal urban operating practices (lighting, access control, and community standards) and monitor trend stability over the hold period.
Proximity to major media, communications, and corporate offices supports a broad workforce renter base and commuting convenience, including Charter Communications, Radio Disney, Disney, Thermo Fisher Scientific, and Farmers Insurance Exchange.
- Charter Communications — communications (6.1 miles)
- Radio Disney — media (6.9 miles)
- Disney — entertainment studios (7.7 miles) — HQ
- Thermo Fisher Scientific — life science & biotech offices (8.2 miles)
- Farmers Insurance Exchange — insurance (8.7 miles) — HQ
14617 Vanowen St offers exposure to an infill Los Angeles renter base with a high neighborhood renter-occupied share and sustained low-90s occupancy. According to CRE market data from WDSuite, neighborhood rents sit above national norms while ownership costs are elevated, supporting reliance on multifamily rentals and reinforcing demand durability. The submarket’s strong amenity access for daily needs and dining further supports resident retention.
Constructed in 1988, the asset is newer than much of the surrounding 1970s stock, suggesting competitive positioning versus older comparables and potential to capture value through targeted modernization. Within a 3-mile radius, households have increased and are expected to continue growing as average household size trends lower, which typically expands the renter pool despite flat-to-soft population levels. Underwriting should account for affordability pressure (higher rent-to-income levels), softer school ratings, and the need for active operations to counter recent occupancy drift.
- Deep renter base and low-90s neighborhood occupancy support leasing stability
- 1988 vintage competitive versus older local stock with value-add modernization potential
- Elevated ownership costs and strong daily amenities bolster renter reliance and retention
- Household growth within 3 miles and smaller household sizes expand the renter pool
- Risks: affordability pressure, below-average school ratings, and recent occupancy softening