| Summary | National Percentile | Rank vs Metro |
|---|---|---|
| Housing | 81st | Good |
| Demographics | 14th | Poor |
| Amenities | 32nd | Fair |
Multifamily Valuation
| Property Details | |
|---|---|
| Address | 570 S Mollison Ave, El Cajon, CA, 92020, US |
| Region / Metro | El Cajon |
| Year of Construction | 1977 |
| Units | 28 |
| Transaction Date | 2004-08-30 |
| Transaction Price | $3,700,000 |
| Buyer | BUEGE TIMOTHY C |
| Seller | TANG LI |
570 S Mollison Ave El Cajon Multifamily Opportunity
Neighborhood fundamentals point to stable renter demand and above-average occupancy, according to WDSuite’s CRE market data, with a deep renter base supporting leasing durability in El Cajon.
Located in El Cajon within the San Diego metro, the property sits in an Urban Core neighborhood with occupancy levels that are above national norms and competitive within the region. The neighborhood’s renter-occupied share is elevated, indicating a deep tenant base that supports ongoing multifamily demand and leasing stability.
Amenity access is mixed: cafes rank competitively among 621 metro neighborhoods (rank 52 of 621; top quartile nationally), and childcare density also performs strongly (rank 24 of 621). However, grocery, park, and pharmacy access within the immediate neighborhood are limited, suggesting residents rely on short drives to meet daily needs—an important consideration for positioning and tenant retention.
Home values are elevated relative to local incomes in the neighborhood (nationally high value-to-income ratio), which tends to reinforce reliance on rental housing and supports pricing power when paired with careful lease management. At the same time, a higher rent-to-income ratio in the neighborhood signals affordability pressure for some households, making renewal strategies and unit mix positioning important for cash flow durability.
Within a 3-mile radius, demographics show a large household base with measured population growth and an increase in households over recent years, alongside projections for further household expansion. This points to a larger tenant base over time, which can support occupancy stability and leasing velocity for well-managed assets.
The asset’s 1977 vintage is slightly older than the area’s average construction year. Investors should underwrite routine capital planning and consider value-add or modernization to enhance competitiveness against newer stock while leveraging the neighborhood’s renter depth.
Safety metrics in the immediate neighborhood trend below national averages and are in the lower tier among San Diego metro neighborhoods (rank 507 of 621). National percentiles indicate comparatively higher reported crime than many U.S. neighborhoods. Recent year-over-year trends show an uptick in violent incidents, underscoring the importance of active property management, lighting, and security protocols to support tenant retention.
For investors, these conditions warrant prudent underwriting for operating practices and potential security enhancements. Framing the asset as value-oriented workforce housing and maintaining visible on-site management can help mitigate perception risks and support leasing performance.
Nearby employment nodes feature defense/aerospace, food distribution, regulated utilities, and technology, supporting a diverse renter pool and commuter convenience for workforce tenants.
- L-3 Telemetry & RF Products — defense & aerospace (10.9 miles)
- Sysco — food distribution (11.7 miles)
- Sempra Energy — regulated utilities (13.3 miles) — HQ
- Qualcomm — technology & R&D (16.0 miles) — HQ
- Celgene Corporation — biotech (16.5 miles)
This 28-unit, 1977-vintage asset in El Cajon aligns with a renter-heavy Urban Core neighborhood where occupancy trends are above national averages and supported by a deep tenant base. Elevated home values relative to incomes in the neighborhood reinforce reliance on rental housing, while a growing household base within a 3-mile radius suggests a larger renter pool that can support lease-up and retention for well-managed communities. According to CRE market data from WDSuite, neighborhood performance sits above national norms on occupancy, positioning value-focused assets to capture steady demand.
Given the older vintage, investors should plan for targeted capital improvements and potential value-add to remain competitive with newer supply. Affordability pressure (higher rent-to-income ratios) and below-average safety metrics call for careful lease management, proactive resident services, and security measures—all common, manageable considerations in workforce submarkets across the San Diego metro.
- Renter-heavy neighborhood and above-average occupancy support stable cash flows
- Elevated ownership costs in the area reinforce multifamily demand and pricing power
- 3-mile household growth and diverse employment base bolster the tenant pipeline
- 1977 vintage offers value-add and modernization potential to enhance competitiveness
- Risks: affordability pressure and below-average safety require active management and security planning