| Summary | National Percentile | Rank vs Metro |
|---|---|---|
| Housing | 81st | Good |
| Demographics | 14th | Poor |
| Amenities | 32nd | Fair |
Multifamily Valuation
| Property Details | |
|---|---|
| Address | 259 S Mollison Ave, El Cajon, CA, 92020, US |
| Region / Metro | El Cajon |
| Year of Construction | 1984 |
| Units | 28 |
| Transaction Date | 2000-06-12 |
| Transaction Price | $1,937,500 |
| Buyer | LYSINGER DAVID L |
| Seller | GENTZLER REVOCABLE LIVING TRUST |
259 S Mollison Ave El Cajon Multifamily Investment
Renter demand is deep and neighborhood occupancy is solid, according to WDSuite’s CRE market data, supporting steady leasing performance at the sub-neighborhood level. With a high renter concentration measured for the neighborhood rather than the property, this asset sits in a tenant-rich pocket of El Cajon.
Located in El Cajon within the San Diego metro, the property sits in an Urban Core neighborhood with occupancy measured for the neighborhood at a stable level and above many U.S. areas (nationally in the 72nd percentile, per WDSuite). The renter-occupied share is particularly high for the neighborhood (competitive among San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad neighborhoods and top quartile nationally), indicating a deep tenant base that can support multifamily leasing velocity and renewal rates.
Livability signals are mixed. Cafes are relatively plentiful in the immediate area compared with national norms, but grocery, park, and pharmacy options are limited within the neighborhood, which may shift some convenience trips to nearby districts. For investors, this typically favors properties with onsite amenities and parking while keeping an eye on tenant expectations for daily needs.
Housing dynamics point to persistent rental demand. Neighborhood home values are elevated versus national benchmarks, a high-cost ownership backdrop that tends to sustain renter reliance on multifamily housing and can reinforce pricing power when managed carefully. At the same time, rent-to-income metrics in the neighborhood indicate affordability pressure; prudent lease management and unit mix strategy can help mitigate turnover risk.
Within a 3-mile radius, WDSuite’s data shows modest recent population growth and an increase in households, with forecasts calling for further household expansion by 2028. This projected renter pool expansion supports occupancy stability and provides a larger pipeline of prospective tenants for well-maintained product.
Vintage context: the asset was built in 1984, slightly newer than the neighborhood’s average construction year. That positioning can offer competitive appeal versus older stock, though investors should still underwrite modernization of aging systems and selective renovations to meet current renter expectations.
Safety metrics for the neighborhood are below the national median, according to WDSuite. Within the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad metro, the neighborhood ranks below the metro average (out of 621 neighborhoods), signaling comparatively higher crime than many peer areas. Nationally, safety sits in lower percentiles, so investors often budget for practical measures such as lighting, access control, and community standards to support resident retention.
Recent trends indicate property and violent offense rates for the neighborhood track weaker than national norms. While block-level conditions can vary, underwriting should reflect the metro-relative positioning and incorporate operating practices aligned with workforce housing and urban-core environments.
Nearby employers offer a diversified base in defense/aerospace, energy, logistics, and life sciences, supporting commuter access and broad renter demand. The following companies anchor employment within a commutable radius: L-3 Telemetry & RF Products, Sysco, Sempra Energy, Qualcomm, and Celgene.
- L-3 Telemetry & RF Products — defense & aerospace offices (10.9 miles)
- Sysco — food distribution corporate offices (11.6 miles)
- Sempra Energy — energy corporate offices (13.4 miles) — HQ
- Qualcomm — wireless & semiconductors (16.0 miles) — HQ
- Celgene Corporation — biotechnology offices (16.5 miles)
This 28-unit asset in El Cajon benefits from a neighborhood with solid occupancy and one of the metro’s higher renter-occupied shares, pointing to a deep, stable tenant base. Elevated neighborhood home values versus national benchmarks support continued reliance on rentals, while the 3-mile area shows recent population stability and rising household counts, indicating a gradually expanding renter pool. Built in 1984, the property is slightly newer than the neighborhood average, offering competitive positioning versus older stock while still warranting targeted updates to systems and finishes.
According to commercial real estate analysis from WDSuite, neighborhood-level rent-to-income metrics suggest affordability pressure, so disciplined lease management and amenity investments are important to sustain retention. Safety metrics are below metro averages, which should be reflected in operating plans; however, proximity to diverse employment nodes across defense, energy, and technology supports steady renter demand through cycle turns.
- Strong renter base with neighborhood occupancy above many U.S. areas supports leasing stability
- High-cost ownership market reinforces rental demand and pricing power when managed carefully
- 1984 vintage is slightly newer than local average, with value-add via selective modernization
- Diverse employment access (defense, energy, tech, life sciences) underpins tenant pipeline
- Risks: below-metro safety metrics and neighborhood affordability pressure require prudent operations