San Diego Multifamily & Apartment Building Blog

Sales volume is down 19% this year, but the number of transactions is up 32% — a clear signal that the market isn’t slowing, it’s shifting. More properties are trading hands at more accessible price points, showing renewed buyer confidence. This early-cycle activity often precedes the next upswing, making 2025–2026 a strategic window for owners to reposition, trade up, and strengthen their portfolios before institutional capital returns in force.

San Diego, California, is renowned for its sunny weather, stunning beaches, and vibrant communities. Whether you’re moving here for work, school, or a change of

Introduction In 2026, successful multifamily development is driven by strategy alignment, not construction volume. Why Ground-Up ADUs Favor Hold Strategies Ground-up ADUs struggle as flip

Introduction 2026 is not a volume year — it is a strategy year. 2–4 Unit Owners: Scaling Matters Many 2–4 unit owners are equity-rich but

Introduction Concessions are no longer limited to new Class A construction. In 2026, rental incentives are materially impacting effective rents across nearly every San Diego

Introduction ADUs dominate headlines, but they are not always the best development choice. In San Diego, the distinction between an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) and

Introduction Rent control returned to the forefront in early 2026 with AB 1157, a proposed Assembly Bill that would materially alter California’s statewide rent cap

Part 1: What AB 1154 Changed Effective January 1, 2026, AB 1154 allows: Non-owner-occupied financing for properties with JADUs Consideration of JADU rental income by

Introduction SB 721 is no longer a future concern for San Diego apartment owners. As of January 1, 2026, the law is officially being enforced

With updated fire hazard maps now impacting more San Diego homes, AB 38 defensible space requirements are becoming a real factor in property values, escrows, and buyer decision-making.

2025 was a pricing-reset year for San Diego multifamily, marked by disciplined buyers and selective liquidity rather than distress.
Small-unit demand remained strong due to financing access and optionality, while 5+ unit transactions centered on income durability, positioning owners who exchanged into higher-quality assets best for 2026.

San Diego is in the middle of a significant multifamily supply wave — and it’s beginning to show up in rents, concessions, and vacancy. Learn where this is concentrated and the affects!

With 209 five-plus unit buildings currently sitting on the market and an average 159 days on market, many San Diego sellers are hesitant to list heading into 2026. But capital is still actively seeking well-positioned assets — and with disciplined pricing and a consistent, multi-channel marketing strategy, properties are still trading well below the county average days on market.

Under-market rents don’t just reduce monthly income — they directly compress your valuation, increase buyer leverage, and shift upside away from you and into the buyer’s hands.