| Summary | National Percentile | Rank vs Metro |
|---|---|---|
| Housing | 78th | Good |
| Demographics | 68th | Fair |
| Amenities | 100th | Best |
Multifamily Valuation
| Property Details | |
|---|---|
| Address | 974 Howard St, San Francisco, CA, 94103, US |
| Region / Metro | San Francisco |
| Year of Construction | 1998 |
| Units | 24 |
| Transaction Date | --- |
| Transaction Price | --- |
| Buyer | --- |
| Seller | --- |
974 Howard St San Francisco Multifamily Investment
Urban-core fundamentals and a deep renter base support leasing potential, according to WDSuite s CRE market data, while submarket softness points to active asset management and value-add upside.
Located in San Francisco s Urban Core, the neighborhood ranks 28th of 193 metro neighborhoods (A rating), signaling competitive positioning within the metro. Amenity access is a standout: restaurants, grocery stores, parks, pharmacies, and cafes rank among the top performers locally and sit in the top quartile nationally, which generally supports resident retention and day-to-day convenience for renters.
The property s 1998 vintage is newer than the neighborhood s average construction year (1976 across 193 neighborhoods). This positioning can be competitive versus older stock, though investors should plan for selective system upgrades and modernization as the asset approaches three decades.
Neighborhood occupancy trails the metro median (ranked 180 of 193), yet renter concentration is high, with a large share of housing units renter-occupied (ranked 6 of 193). For multifamily owners, this mix indicates a deep tenant base but the need for disciplined leasing and renewal strategies to support occupancy stability.
Elevated home values and a high value-to-income ratio (both competitive rankings among 193 neighborhoods) characterize a high-cost ownership market. For investors, this typically sustains reliance on rental housing and can support pricing power, though lease management should account for affordability pressure and retention risk.
Within a 3-mile radius, demographics show a sizable professional workforce and high household incomes, with projections indicating an increase in households and smaller average household sizes over the next five years. These trends point to a larger renter pool and support for demand, particularly for well-managed, well-located assets, based on commercial real estate analysis from WDSuite.
Relative to the San Francisco-San Mateo-Redwood City metro, the neighborhood s crime rank is in the lower tier (184th of 193 neighborhoods), indicating higher reported crime than most metro peers. Nationally, the neighborhood compares in a lower percentile for safety, so underwriting should reflect enhanced security measures and experienced property management.
Recent trends are directionally constructive: both estimated violent and property offense rates show year-over-year declines. While this does not eliminate risk, it suggests gradual improvement. Investors should calibrate assumptions for operating protocols, insurance, and tenant experience accordingly, while monitoring ongoing trend data.
Proximity to major employers supports commuter convenience and a steady renter pipeline, driven by healthcare, finance, and utilities corporate offices listed below.
- McKesson Ventures corporate offices (0.62 miles)
- McKesson corporate offices (0.63 miles) HQ
- Pfizer corporate offices (0.82 miles)
- Wells Fargo financial services (0.94 miles) HQ
- PG&E Corp. energy utility (0.97 miles) HQ
974 Howard St is a 24-unit, larger-format multifamily asset (average unit size ~1,473 SF) positioned in San Francisco s Urban Core, where amenity access ranks among the metro s best and nationally in the top quartile. The 1998 vintage is newer than the area s average stock, providing relative competitiveness against older buildings, while still warranting targeted capital planning for building systems and modernization.
Neighborhood occupancy trends sit below metro norms, but a high share of renter-occupied housing units and elevated ownership costs point to durable rental demand and a deep tenant base. According to CRE market data from WDSuite, strong amenity density and a high-cost ownership landscape can support pricing power and retention when paired with disciplined leasing, renewal strategies, and potential value-add improvements.
- Urban-core location with top-tier amenity access supporting renter appeal and retention
- 1998 vintage offers competitive positioning versus older submarket stock with selective CapEx for modernization
- Deep renter base and high-cost ownership market reinforce multifamily demand and pricing power
- Larger average unit sizes (~1,473 SF) enable family or roommate demand segments
- Risk: neighborhood occupancy lags metro peers; plan for active leasing, renewals, and security protocols