San Francisco Multifamily Report – Fall 2021
Same as other gateway metros, the Bay Area slowly but steadily found its way out of the downturn.
San Francisco rent evolution, click to enlarge
While not out of the woods yet, the Bay Area’s multifamily market is slowly rebounding, in part supported by early returners to the metro. Rents rose 1.2 percent on a trailing three-month basis through September to $2,640, with the occupancy rate in stabilized properties especially boosted in the Lifestyle segment, at 94.9 percent.
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San Francisco sales volume and number of properties sold, click to enlarge
The employment market still lags the nation (+2.5 percent), up less than 0.1 percent in the 12 months ending in July. Similarly, the unemployment rate—at 5.6 percent in August—was behind the 5.2 percent U.S. average, yet it outperformed the 7.5 percent state figure. Leisure and hospitality led gains, adding 54,700 jobs, or 27.8 percent, with leisure traffic reaching pre-pandemic levels. Consequently, United Airlines announced the addition of 4,000 jobs in the Bay Area. Professional and business services added 27,200 jobs, but the tech sector is still struggling, as a new spike in virus cases delayed the return to office for many employers. In addition, Tesla’s relocation of its headquarters to Austin has been a blow. The biotech sector is thriving, thanks to life science companies’ access to key fundamentals for this industry: talent, strong research partnerships and proximity to capital.
Developers delivered 6,396 units in 2021 through September and had another 23,835 underway. Meanwhile, $1.7 billion in multifamily assets traded, with the per-unit price reaching $400,077.
