| Summary | National Percentile | Rank vs Metro |
|---|---|---|
| Housing | 84th | Best |
| Demographics | 26th | Poor |
| Amenities | 58th | Good |
Multifamily Valuation
| Property Details | |
|---|---|
| Address | 909 S Sunshine Ave, El Cajon, CA, 92020, US |
| Region / Metro | El Cajon |
| Year of Construction | 1977 |
| Units | 22 |
| Transaction Date | 2013-03-12 |
| Transaction Price | $2,350,000 |
| Buyer | JOHNSON FAMILY TRUST |
| Seller | SOUTHWINDS APARTMENTS LLC |
909 S Sunshine Ave El Cajon Value-Add Multifamily
Neighborhood occupancy is exceptionally tight and renter-occupied housing is prevalent, pointing to durable tenant demand, according to WDSuite’s CRE market data. For investors, the focus is steady leasing fundamentals with potential to enhance returns through targeted renovations.
This Urban Core location in El Cajon benefits from strong everyday convenience: grocery and pharmacy access ranks in the upper tier locally and compares well nationally, while restaurants are competitive among San Diego–Chula Vista–Carlsbad neighborhoods. By contrast, park and cafe density is limited, which may modestly affect lifestyle appeal but typically has less impact on workforce-oriented demand.
At the neighborhood level, occupancy trends are a clear positive. The neighborhood’s occupancy rate ranks 1 out of 621 metro neighborhoods, indicating exceptionally full buildings relative to the region. Renter-occupied housing makes up a sizable share of units (65.3%), reinforcing depth of the tenant base and supporting leasing stability for multifamily assets. These figures reflect neighborhood metrics, not this specific property.
Within a 3-mile radius, demographics show a broad, diversified renter pool with recent population growth and more households even as average household size edges lower. That combination generally points to more individual households seeking units, supporting absorption and helping stabilize occupancy. Median household incomes have trended higher in recent years, and rents in the area have risen, consistent with broader San Diego metro dynamics.
Home values in the neighborhood are elevated versus national norms, and the value-to-income ratio ranks in the top decile nationally. In high-cost ownership markets like this, multifamily tends to retain demand as many households rely on rental options, which can aid retention and pricing power. Lease management should still account for household budget sensitivity given higher rent-to-income levels reported for the neighborhood.
Safety indicators are mixed and should be considered in underwriting. Compared with neighborhoods nationwide, this area sits below the national median for safety, but recent year-over-year trends show improving conditions, with both violent and property offense rates declining. Within the San Diego–Chula Vista–Carlsbad metro, the neighborhood’s crime rank (219 out of 621) suggests it is competitive but not top tier, warranting routine risk controls such as lighting, access management, and partnership with local community programs.
Proximity to diversified employers supports renter demand and commute convenience, particularly for tenants tied to aerospace/defense, food distribution, energy utilities, and technology. Nearby employment nodes include L-3 Telemetry & RF Products, Sysco, Sempra Energy, Qualcomm, and Celgene.
- L-3 Telemetry & RF Products — defense & aerospace offices (10.3 miles)
- Sysco — food distribution (11.8 miles)
- Sempra Energy — energy utilities corporate offices (12.4 miles) — HQ
- Qualcomm — technology & R&D (15.6 miles) — HQ
- Celgene Corporation — biopharma offices (16.1 miles)
909 S Sunshine Ave is a 22-unit, 1977-vintage asset in an Urban Core pocket of El Cajon where neighborhood occupancy ranks 1 out of 621 metro neighborhoods. That tightness, coupled with a high share of renter-occupied housing, underpins steady leasing and supports cash flow resilience through cycles. Based on CRE market data from WDSuite, elevated home values in the neighborhood and solid access to daily amenities further reinforce renter reliance on multifamily housing.
Given the 1977 construction year, investors can evaluate value-add and capital planning opportunities (interiors, systems, and common areas) to improve rent positioning relative to competitive stock. Demographic indicators within a 3-mile radius show more households and smaller average household sizes over time, which typically expands the renter pool and supports occupancy stability. Underwriting should still consider affordability pressure noted at the neighborhood level and standard safety risk mitigation.
- Neighborhood occupancy ranks 1 of 621 metro areas, supporting leasing stability (neighborhood metric, not property-specific).
- High renter-occupied share signals depth of tenant base and demand durability.
- 1977 vintage offers value-add potential through targeted renovations and systems upgrades.
- Elevated home values favor sustained rental demand and pricing power versus ownership alternatives.
- Risks: household affordability pressures and mid-pack safety metrics require thoughtful lease and asset management.