San Francisco Multi-Unit Market Report: Q1 2020

The San Francisco multi-unit real estate market had a strong Q1 in 2020, with both transaction volumes and property values up. Our quarterly market report breaks down the market’s performance during the quarter, and offers a side-by-side comparison with the first quarter of 2019.

The sales data shown in the report reflects the market prior to the stay-at-home orders that were put into place as a result of coronavirus. We expect to see a more detailed overview of the effects of COVID-19 in the Q2 statistics to come.

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Shrinking Inventory

Although the wider effects of coronavirus on the housing market remain to be seen, we did see an immediate impact on inventory when the statewide shelter-in-place order was issued. In particular, we saw a drop in the number of new multi-unit listings and an increase in properties being withdrawn from the market or placed on hold.

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Property Values Remain Strong

Both 3-4 and 5+ unit property values remained strong in the first quarter of 2020. The 5+ unit market is even showing a slight increase in sale price per square foot when compared to last year’s data.

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Promising Pricing Metrics: Low Cap Rates & High GRMs
Pricing metrics remained strong in Q1 2020. San Francisco saw an increase in the average gross rent multiplier and a decrease in the average cap rate compared to the year before.
Multi-Unit Sales Per Neighborhood (3-25 Units):
San Francisco's Most Expensive 3-4 Unit Property - Measured by Sale Price:
2106-08 Broadway St
3 Units in Pacific Heights
$7,750,000
$975/SqFt
Cap Rate: N/A | GRM: N/A
San Francisco's Most Expensive 3-4 Unit Property - Measured by Price Per SqFt:
3225 24th St
4 Units in the Inner Mission
$2,000,000
$1,098/SqFt
Cap Rate: N/A | GRM: 21.50
San Francisco's Most Expensive 5-9 Unit Property - Measured by Sale Price:
3760 Fillmore St
7 Units in the Marina
$6,500,000
$809/SqFt
Cap Rate: 2.92% | GRM: 21.62
San Francisco's Most Expensive 5-9 Unit Property - Measured by Price Per SqFt:
241 Upper Terrace
5 Units in Buena Vista
$3,850,000
$864/SqFt
Cap Rate: 3.19% | GRM: 20.60
San Francisco's Most Expensive 10+ Unit Property - Measured by Sale Price:
2150-60 Fell St
24 Units in NOPA
$7,950,000
$809/SqFt
Cap Rate: 2.91% | GRM: 18.07
San Francisco's Most Expensive 10+ Unit Property - Measured by Price Per SqFt:
2150-60 Fell St
24 Units in NOPA
$7,950,000
$809/SqFt
Cap Rate: 2.91% | GRM: 18.07
San Francisco's Most Expensive Mixed-Use Property - Measured by Sale Price:
2317 Market St
10 Unit Mixed-Use in Eureka Valley
$5,800,000
$419/SqFt
Cap Rate: 5.17% | GRM: 13.67
San Francisco's Most Expensive Mixed-Use Property - Measured by Price Per SqFt:
1853 Powell St
2 Unit Mixed-Use in North Beach
$2,050,000
$845/SqFt
Cap Rate: N/A | GRM: 16.75

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