| Summary | National Percentile | Rank vs Metro |
|---|---|---|
| Housing | 39th | Fair |
| Demographics | 9th | Poor |
| Amenities | 39th | Best |
Multifamily Valuation
| Property Details | |
|---|---|
| Address | 3215 Baird Ave, Lakeland, FL, 33805, US |
| Region / Metro | Lakeland |
| Year of Construction | 1975 |
| Units | 120 |
| Transaction Date | 2016-08-05 |
| Transaction Price | $7,400,000 |
| Buyer | Axion Lakeland Holdings LLC |
| Seller | --- |
3215 Baird Ave Lakeland, FL Multifamily Investment
Stabilized renter demand and proximity to daily-needs retail position this 120-unit asset for steady operations, according to WDSuite’s CRE market data. Neighborhood occupancy is softer than many Lakeland-Winter Haven submarkets, making operational execution and lease management important to the thesis.
This Inner Suburb location balances everyday convenience with value-oriented housing. Grocery and pharmacy access are competitive among Lakeland-Winter Haven neighborhoods (ranks 10 and 19 out of 184), and grocery availability sits in the top quartile nationally, supporting daily living and reducing renter friction. Restaurant density is also comparatively strong locally, while cafes and parks are limited, which may modestly affect lifestyle appeal.
Renter-occupied housing accounts for a majority of neighborhood units (renter concentration ~56%), indicating a deep tenant base and consistent demand for multifamily product. At the same time, the neighborhood’s occupancy rate trends below many peers and has eased in recent years, signaling a need for focused leasing, renewals, and resident retention strategies to maintain stability.
Within a 3-mile radius, population and households have grown and are projected to expand further by 2028, pointing to a larger renter pool over the medium term. Income trends in the same radius have been rising, which supports rent levels; however, rent-to-income in the immediate neighborhood indicates some affordability pressure, suggesting attention to pricing and renewal management. Median home values in the neighborhood are comparatively low versus national norms, which can introduce some competition from ownership options; investors should weigh this against the area’s established renter base and the convenience-driven amenity mix.
The property’s 1975 vintage is slightly newer than the neighborhood’s average construction year. This positioning can be competitive versus older stock, while still leaving room for targeted system upgrades and interior refreshes to drive rent premiums and operating durability.
Safety indicators for the neighborhood sit around the middle of the pack within the Lakeland-Winter Haven metro (ranked near the metro midpoint out of 184 neighborhoods) and below the national median overall. Violent offense metrics are closer to national mid-range, while property offenses track weaker than national averages and have shown a recent uptick. Investors should underwrite to pragmatic security measures and evaluate historical trends rather than block-level assumptions.
Nearby employment anchors span retail headquarters, healthcare, industrial gases, and financial services, supporting workforce housing demand and commute convenience for residents. The list below highlights Publix, Mosaic, Airgas Specialty Products, MetLife, and Cardinal Health by proximity.
- Publix Super Markets — retail HQ (6.3 miles) — HQ
- Mosaic — chemicals & mining (18.9 miles)
- Airgas Specialty Products — industrial gases (24.7 miles)
- MetLife Insurance Company — insurance (25.5 miles)
- Cardinal Health — healthcare distribution (28.0 miles)
3215 Baird Ave offers scale (120 units) in a renter-heavy neighborhood with convenience retail and a broad employment base nearby. Based on CRE market data from WDSuite, local occupancy runs softer than many metro peers, but renter concentration and projected household growth within a 3-mile radius point to a durable tenant funnel. The 1975 vintage is slightly newer than the neighborhood average, creating potential to outperform older comparables with targeted renovations and system upgrades.
Investors should calibrate rents thoughtfully: neighborhood rent-to-income signals some affordability pressure, and comparatively low ownership costs can create competition; however, steady amenity access and employment proximity support retention. Underwriting that emphasizes leasing execution, resident experience, and selective value-add can position the asset for stable cash flow over a full cycle.
- Renter-heavy area supports a deep tenant base and leasing velocity.
- Everyday retail access (grocery/pharmacy) reduces friction and aids retention.
- 1975 vintage offers competitive positioning versus older stock with value-add upside.
- Proximate employers across retail, healthcare, and services underpin workforce demand.
- Risks: softer neighborhood occupancy, affordability pressure, and ownership competition require disciplined pricing and operations.