| Summary | National Percentile | Rank vs Metro |
|---|---|---|
| Housing | 81st | Good |
| Demographics | 14th | Poor |
| Amenities | 32nd | Fair |
Multifamily Valuation
| Property Details | |
|---|---|
| Address | 902 S Mollison Ave, El Cajon, CA, 92020, US |
| Region / Metro | El Cajon |
| Year of Construction | 1978 |
| Units | 21 |
| Transaction Date | 2003-04-24 |
| Transaction Price | $1,800,000 |
| Buyer | ENDEMAN RONALD L |
| Seller | WEST PARK ASSOCIATES LLC |
902 S Mollison Ave, El Cajon Multifamily Investment
Neighborhood occupancy is resilient and renter demand is deep, supported by a high share of renter-occupied units and elevated ownership costs, according to WDSuite s CRE market data. For investors, this points to steady leasing with potential pricing power relative to nearby submarkets.
The property sits in an Urban Core pocket of El Cajon within the San Diego metro, where the neighborhood s occupancy is above national averages and housing fundamentals test in the upper tier nationally. Renter-occupied concentration is high (roughly four out of five housing units), which helps sustain a sizable tenant base for small and mid-size multifamily assets.
Within a 3-mile radius, demographics show modest population growth over the past five years and a larger increase in households, indicating a gradually expanding renter pool that typically supports occupancy stability and lease retention. Forward-looking projections continue to point to more households in the area, reinforcing depth for workforce-oriented product.
Amenities are mixed. Caf density is strong relative to national norms (high percentile performance), while immediate access to groceries, parks, and pharmacies is limited at the neighborhood level, implying more reliance on short drives for daily needs. School ratings data signal limited highly rated options directly nearby; investors may underwrite this by leaning on broader metro access and commutes.
The asset s 1978 vintage is slightly older than the neighborhood s average construction year (around 1980). That age profile often implies near- to medium-term capital planning for interiors, systems, and common areas, but also value-add potential to reposition against older competing stock.
Safety trends are mixed and should be underwritten conservatively. Compared with other San Diego metro neighborhoods (621 total), this area ranks in the lower half for safety, and nationally it sits below average percentiles. Property and violent offense indicators are weaker than national norms, and recent year-over-year readings suggest an uptick. These are neighborhood-level signals rather than block-specific conditions, and investors commonly address them through operational focus, tenant screening, and security enhancements.
Proximity to established employers supports renter demand through commute convenience for a diverse workforce, notably in aerospace/defense, distribution, energy, and technology. The following nearby employers anchor the regional job base referenced here: L-3 Telemetry & RF Products, Sysco, Sempra Energy, Qualcomm, and Celgene.
- L-3 Telemetry & RF Products aerospace & defense (11.0 miles)
- Sysco food distribution (12.1 miles)
- Sempra Energy energy utilities (13.1 miles) HQ
- Qualcomm wireless technology (16.2 miles) HQ
- Celgene Corporation biopharma (16.7 miles)
902 S Mollison Ave offers a 21-unit, 1978-vintage asset positioned in a renter-heavy neighborhood with occupancy that tracks above national averages. Elevated ownership costs locally and a high renter-occupied share support durable demand for workforce housing, while the property s older vintage presents clear value-add and modernization angles to improve competitiveness and drive NOI.
Within a 3-mile radius, recent increases in households and forecasts for additional household growth point to a larger tenant base over time, supporting leasing stability. At the same time, rent-to-income levels indicate affordability pressure that calls for disciplined rent management. According to CRE market data from WDSuite, neighborhood fundamentals including housing strength and occupancy remain competitive versus national benchmarks, though amenity gaps and safety readings warrant conservative underwriting.
- Renter-heavy neighborhood and above-average occupancy support steady leasing
- 1978 vintage creates value-add potential via interior and systems upgrades
- Expanding household counts within 3 miles point to a growing tenant base
- Elevated ownership costs reinforce multifamily demand and pricing power potential
- Risks: affordability pressure (rent-to-income), amenity gaps, and below-average safety metrics