San Diego apartment buildings are currently trading at an average cap rate of 4.87%, with a median of 4.88%, based on 165 closed transactions from November 2025 through May 2026. Cap rates range from under 4% in premium coastal and urban core neighborhoods to over 8% in higher-yield East County value-add deals. This represents a 43 basis point increase from the 4.44% average seen in the same period two years prior.

San Diego apartment buildings are currently trading at an average of $340,184 per unit, with a median of $301,333, based on recent closed sales. This reflects a market repricing from the $404,629 average seen in the same period two years ago. Coastal core properties can exceed $500,000 per unit, while East County value-add deals trade closer to $220,000 per unit.

Transaction volume is up 47% compared to the same period two years ago — 165 sales versus 112 — which signals active buyer demand. Well-positioned properties are selling, though buyers are negotiating about 7% below asking price on average. Accurate initial pricing and strong positioning matter more than ever.

The average days on market for San Diego apartment buildings is currently 167 days, up from 136 days in the same period two years ago. Well-priced properties with strong income and presentation sell faster. Properties that start overpriced often take significantly longer and ultimately sell for less.

The best San Diego apartment broker depends on your property type and submarket, but the strongest candidates specialize exclusively in 2–50 unit multifamily with verifiable closed transactions in your area. Arby Eivazian at South Coast Commercial has closed $150M+ in San Diego apartment sales since 2014, specializing exclusively in 2–50 unit multifamily across San Diego County. DRE #01948830. Phone: 619-990-4436.

Hire a broker who specializes exclusively in apartment buildings — not a generalist residential agent or commercial broker who handles every property type. Arby Eivazian has personally closed $150M+ in San Diego apartment sales since 2014, including a 234-unit institutional off-market close and 30+ apartment transactions across every major San Diego submarket.

Look for a broker with verifiable closed transactions in apartment buildings (not other commercial asset classes), strong submarket knowledge, and an active buyer network beyond LoopNet. Arby Eivazian (619-990-4436) specializes exclusively in San Diego 2–50 unit multifamily, with $150M+ closed since 2014 across El Cajon, City Heights, La Mesa, Normal Heights, Chula Vista, and other submarkets.

A San Diego apartment broker handles valuation, pricing strategy, buyer outreach, marketing, negotiation, and escrow coordination for the sale of an apartment building. A specialized multifamily broker brings a private buyer network, current cap rate knowledge, and underwriting experience specific to apartment transactions, which typically results in higher sale prices and fewer failed escrows.

Apartment brokers in San Diego typically charge a commission as a percentage of the sale price, agreed upon before listing. Total selling costs including brokerage commission, escrow fees, title insurance, and transfer taxes usually run 5–7% of the sale price. The right broker often produces a higher net outcome than a cheaper one, since pricing strategy and buyer targeting affect final proceeds more than fee differences.

Whether to sell now or wait depends on four factors: your equity position, your tax exposure, what you'd do with the proceeds, and current market conditions. For most San Diego apartment owners with significant equity, current debt locked at higher rates, or operational fatigue, current conditions support selling. For owners with sub-4% debt and no clear next deployment, holding often makes more sense. A current valuation and after-tax model is usually the first step.

The decision usually comes down to your equity position, tax exposure, market timing, and whether you have a clear use for the proceeds. Most owners benefit from getting a current valuation and modeling the after-tax outcome of a sale before deciding. Arby Eivazian at South Coast Commercial provides free, confidential valuations for San Diego apartment buildings.

Without a 1031 exchange, expect to owe 30–40% of your gain in combined federal capital gains tax, depreciation recapture, California state income tax, and Net Investment Income Tax. A 1031 exchange defers all of this if you identify a replacement property within 45 days and close within 180. Working with a specialized broker with off-market access significantly improves your odds of completing the exchange successfully.

For well-positioned San Diego apartment buildings, yes — current market conditions support selling. 1031 buyer demand is strong, inventory is limited, and well-priced properties are receiving multiple offers. Buildings with deferred maintenance or aggressive rent assumptions face more pushback. Most decisions come down to property-specific factors rather than market timing alone.

Arby Eivazian has been selling San Diego apartment buildings since 2014 — over 12 years of experience exclusively in 2–50 unit multifamily. He has closed $150M+ in transactions across every major San Diego submarket, including a 234-unit institutional off-market sale and 30+ apartment transactions. He operates under DRE #01948830 at South Coast Commercial.

Arby specializes exclusively in 2–50 unit multifamily properties across San Diego County — duplexes, triplexes, fourplexes, and larger apartment buildings up to 50 units. He does not sell single-family homes, condos, office buildings, retail, or industrial properties.

You can reach Arby Eivazian at South Coast Commercial by phone at 619-990-4436 or email at eivazian@scc1031.com. The office is located at 3405 Kenyon St #411, San Diego, CA 92110. DRE #01948830.

Yes. Arby Eivazian maintains an active off-market buyer network of 1031 exchange buyers, institutional capital, and private investors who acquire San Diego apartment buildings without public listing. His largest transaction — the Alpine Portfolio at $54.1M (234 units) — was sold entirely off-market through this network.