| Summary | National Percentile | Rank vs Metro |
|---|---|---|
| Housing | 70th | Best |
| Demographics | 66th | Good |
| Amenities | 45th | Good |
Multifamily Valuation
| Property Details | |
|---|---|
| Address | 5231 Sunnybrook Rd, Kent, OH, 44240, US |
| Region / Metro | Kent |
| Year of Construction | 2013 |
| Units | 72 |
| Transaction Date | 2012-11-28 |
| Transaction Price | $890,000 |
| Buyer | FOUR SEASONS AT GOLDEN POND LLC |
| Seller | GOLDEN POND LLC |
5231 Sunnybrook Rd Kent OH Multifamily Investment
Newer 2013 construction and a sizable 72-unit footprint position this asset competitively in an inner-suburban submarket with a high share of renter-occupied housing units, according to WDSuite’s CRE market data. Neighborhood occupancy trends sit below the metro median, but renter demand depth and household growth potential support stable leasing over a multi-year hold.
Located in Kent’s inner suburbs of the Akron, OH metro, the neighborhood is rated A and ranks 15 out of 180 metro neighborhoods, indicating performance that is competitive among Akron neighborhoods. The area shows a high concentration of renter-occupied units (measured for the neighborhood, not the property), which typically supports a deeper tenant base for multifamily.
Livability is balanced: cafes score in the upper range for the metro and above the national middle, while grocery and restaurant density track near the national mid-range. Park and childcare access are limited locally, which investors should factor into resident experience and marketing. Median contract rents in the neighborhood sit modestly above the national middle, supporting revenue potential without signaling pronounced affordability pressure.
Vintage matters: with an average neighborhood construction year around 2003, the property’s 2013 delivery provides a newer option versus much of the local stock. That typically enhances competitive positioning, though investors should still plan for normal mid-life system updates and selective modernization to sustain rent premiums.
Demographic indicators aggregated within a 3-mile radius show a growing renter pool ahead: while population dipped modestly in recent years, WDSuite projections point to population growth and roughly 40% more households by 2028, implying a larger tenant base and support for occupancy stability. The local rent-to-income ratio trends near one-fifth, suggesting manageable rent levels relative to incomes and potential room for disciplined rent growth and retention-focused leasing.
At the same time, neighborhood occupancy is below the metro median, so underwriting should assume competitive lease-up and active renewal management. Notably, neighborhood NOI per unit averages rank in the top decile metro-wide and top quartile nationally, according to CRE market data from WDSuite, signaling historically strong revenue capture for comparable assets in this area.
Neighborhood safety signals are mixed in comparative context. Overall crime levels sit around the national middle (national percentile near the mid-range), and the area performs above the national average on violent offense safety (top quartile nationally). Within the Akron metro, the neighborhood’s crime profile ranks in the better half (rank 44 of 180), indicating competitiveness versus many peer neighborhoods.
Trend-wise, WDSuite data show property offenses easing year over year, while reported violent offense rates increased recently. Investors should therefore underwrite with standard risk controls: emphasize lighting and access management, ensure routine coordination with local public safety, and monitor trends at the neighborhood—not block—level over time.
Proximity to major employers supports workforce housing demand and commute convenience, notably tire manufacturing, utilities, rail logistics, and large-format distribution that can underpin leasing stability for mid-market units.
- Goodyear Tire & Rubber — manufacturing HQ (7.8 miles) — HQ
- FirstEnergy — utilities HQ (8.8 miles) — HQ
- Norfolk Southern Motor Yard — rail operations (16.2 miles)
- Home Depot Distribution Center — distribution/logistics (18.0 miles)
- Parker-Hannifin — diversified manufacturing HQ (26.3 miles) — HQ
5231 Sunnybrook Rd offers scale at 72 units and a 2013 vintage that is newer than the neighborhood’s average stock, positioning it well against older assets while likely requiring only targeted mid-life updates. The surrounding neighborhood features a high share of renter-occupied units and median rents near the national middle, which supports a broad tenant base and measured pricing power. Household counts within a 3-mile radius are projected to rise substantially by 2028, pointing to renter pool expansion and support for occupancy over the hold period.
Balanced underwriting remains prudent: neighborhood occupancy trends run below the metro median today, and safety signals are mixed despite improvement in property offenses. Even so, proximity to anchor employers and competitive positioning versus older stock underpin the case for durable demand. According to CRE market data from WDSuite, comparable neighborhoods exhibit strong NOI per unit performance, reinforcing the revenue potential for well-managed assets in this location.
- 2013 vintage and 72-unit scale provide competitive positioning versus older neighborhood stock
- High neighborhood renter concentration supports depth of demand and renewal stability
- Projected 3-mile household growth through 2028 expands the tenant base and supports occupancy
- Employer access across manufacturing, utilities, rail, and logistics underpins leasing across unit types
- Risks: below-metro neighborhood occupancy and mixed safety trends call for conservative lease and CapEx planning