| Summary | National Percentile | Rank vs Metro |
|---|---|---|
| Housing | 75th | Fair |
| Demographics | 19th | Poor |
| Amenities | 79th | Best |
Multifamily Valuation
| Property Details | |
|---|---|
| Address | 200 Taft Ave, El Cajon, CA, 92020, US |
| Region / Metro | El Cajon |
| Year of Construction | 1986 |
| Units | 24 |
| Transaction Date | 2024-11-20 |
| Transaction Price | $6,850,000 |
| Buyer | 12 MENDRIDGE LLC |
| Seller | TAFT PROPERTIES LLC |
200 Taft Ave, El Cajon Multifamily Investment Opportunity
Renter demand is supported by a high share of renter-occupied housing and competitive neighborhood occupancy, according to WDSuite’s CRE market data. Positioning in El Cajon offers stable workforce appeal within the San Diego metro.
The property sits in El Cajon’s Urban Core with a neighborhood rating of B- and occupancy that remains above the national median. Renter-occupied housing is notably prevalent, signaling a deep tenant base that can support leasing stability and renewal velocity for smaller assets like this 24-unit building.
Amenity access is a relative strength: neighborhood amenities rank competitively in the metro and trend in the top quartile nationally, with dense restaurant, grocery, and pharmacy coverage compared with many U.S. neighborhoods. While park access is limited locally, daily-needs retail and services offset some of that gap for residents and help sustain convenience-driven retention.
Within a 3-mile radius, recent household counts have grown and are projected to continue increasing, pointing to renter pool expansion and support for occupancy. Median household incomes have risen meaningfully in recent years, and median contract rents have trended upward as well; together these trends indicate ongoing pricing power but also call for attentive lease management. For investors conducting multifamily property research, elevated home values relative to incomes in the neighborhood context suggest a high-cost ownership market that tends to sustain reliance on rental housing.
Vintage matters: built in 1986, the asset is newer than the neighborhood’s average construction year. That positioning can offer competitive differentiation versus older stock, while still warranting targeted modernization and system updates to meet current renter expectations and support rent growth potential.

Safety indicators for the neighborhood trend below national medians, and the area ranks below the metro average among 621 San Diego neighborhoods. Property offenses have shown a recent year-over-year decline, while reported violent offenses increased over the same period. Investors should weigh these mixed signals in underwriting, with attention to security measures and operating practices that can support retention and reputation.
Nearby employers anchor a diversified workforce and support renter demand through commute convenience, including defense and technology, energy utilities, and food distribution. The list below highlights key employers within commuting distance that can underpin leasing stability.
- L-3 Telemetry & RF Products — defense & aerospace offices (10.6 miles)
- Sysco — food distribution (11.3 miles)
- Sempra Energy — utilities (13.1 miles) — HQ
- Qualcomm — semiconductors & wireless (15.6 miles) — HQ
- Celgene Corporation — life sciences (16.1 miles)
This 24-unit asset at 200 Taft Ave benefits from a high concentration of renter-occupied housing and neighborhood occupancy that trends above national norms, supporting stable leasing fundamentals. According to CRE market data from WDSuite, amenity density is a relative strength versus many U.S. neighborhoods, reinforcing convenience and renewal potential even as park access is limited. The 1986 vintage is newer than the neighborhood average, offering competitive positioning versus older stock while leaving room for targeted value-add through interior updates and system modernization.
Within a 3-mile radius, population and household counts have increased and are projected to grow further, implying a larger tenant base and support for occupancy and rent growth over time. Elevated ownership costs in the neighborhood context reinforce reliance on multifamily rentals, though higher rent-to-income levels point to affordability pressure that warrants prudent lease and expense management. Safety metrics trail metro and national benchmarks, so operators should plan for appropriate on-site measures to protect retention and reputation.
- High renter-occupied share supports depth of demand and renewal stability.
- Amenity-rich location with strong daily-needs access aids retention and leasing velocity.
- 1986 construction offers competitive positioning with targeted value-add potential.
- 3-mile household growth and income gains underpin long-term renter pool expansion.
- Risks: below-median safety metrics and rent-to-income pressure require disciplined operations.