If you’ve been thinking about investing, San Diego real estate is one of the best in the United States. The city has witnessed unparalleled growth in the last few decades and its economy is as strong as ever. Real estate investments are one of the most lucrative investments in today’s economy. As the individual financial situations improve, so does the demand for better housing and living conditions. Anyone who capitalizes on this growing demand by renting out properties can expect huge turnover on their investments. Especially when viewed from a long-term perspective, renting out property should be the part of any financial plan.
However, if you don’t already have even a single property in any neighborhood of San Diego County, now is the time to get one. We’ll answer all the questions surrounding investment in San Diego and how you can prepare yourself. Following that, we have also curated a special list of the best neighborhoods in the County when it comes to investment.
Why San Diego is a Prime Real Estate Investment Location
In California, land valuation increases rapidly over time and San Diego being the second largest city is no exception. The average home in the County recently hit a price of $600,000, which is an all-time high for the locality. But there’s a problem, there are many buyers but not enough sellers. If you’re lucky you may land your dream property but the chances are minute. For this reason, we recommend you finalize your investment plans and get in touch with prospective sellers and agents ASAP.
Why choose San Diego and how will it benefit you? Here’s the why and how.
Quality of Life
San Diego has long been one of the most popular cities in the United States. It is famous among tourists who vacation here for the experience, the beaches and the views. Similarly, it is also just as famous among people who settle here from different cities and states. It’s a melting pot of diverse ethnicity like the local Hispanic, white and black communities who live in harmony. There are innumerable places for locals to visit and to hang out with friends and family.
Every neighborhood is chock-full of places to go like zoos, beaches and restaurants. New hip eateries keep popping up and are extremely popular among the younger generations. The County has also become a choice spot for young people to live, and build their careers and relationships.
Market Appreciation
As we discussed above, the average price of homes in San Diego has only climbed. This is not a single instance, it is a trend. The price and value of land increases with time. At a place where its demand is this huge, the value is bound to keep growing. There is minimal risk in investing in real estate here and you can rest assured that the rent will steadily increase as well. Additionally, if you ever want to sell the property permanently, there will be more than enough buyers in the market if the current scenario is anything to go by.
Long-Term Investment-Friendly
Short-term investments usually depend on big gains in a short period but may carry a fair amount of risk with them. Not to mention, short-term investments do not contribute a lot to a secure financial plan. On the contrary, though long-term investments aren’t devoid of risk, they carry much less risk. From the financial planning perspective, they’re a viable source of income that accumulates capital overtime. Real estate becomes a long-term investment when bought with the aim to rent or sell. Renting generates money at specific intervals which is a known method of creating reliable long-term income.
Increasing Demand for Vacation Rentals
With its growing popularity among tourists flocking from all over the world, San Diego has become a vacation spot. Most tourists visit with their families and are usually looking to rent out an entire home for themselves. Vacation rental is ideal for them as it allows privacy and is much better than staying in separate rooms in a hotel. For property owners, turning your home into a vacation rental can be highly rewarding. This form of rental property brings in greater rent even when occupied for a few days or weeks.
Rapid Growth
The city has witnessed an influx of people from different states looking to settle here permanently. The area has been growing both in terms of population and economically. San Diego is already one of the best cities in America and this growth will catapult the importance of owning real estate in this region to new heights.
How to Choose the Ideal Property
If you’ve decided to invest in real estate but don’t really know where to start. Here are the basics:
Do Your Research
It’s easy to decide that investment is worth it, the difficult part is figuring out your plan. There is no shortage of real estate agents to tell you where good properties are, but any quality financial plan must always start with you. If you don’t know what you’re doing or looking for, you wouldn’t be able to communicate clearly with sellers and agents. Spend some time researching the prime real estate locations, how they will benefit you and what you expect out of the investment.
Identify Your Investment Goals
Do you already have a home and are looking to rent out another one for regular cash flow? Do you want a vacation home that you can rent out the rest of the year? Are you planning your retirement and building a source of passive income?
You should ask yourself these questions and more. This will help you zero in on the main reason you’re investing in property. As it stands, your investment goal plays a major role in deciding the kind of property you should buy so the best case scenario is to know what you want.
Establish Your Target Customer
Do you want long-term tenants or seasonal? This question lies parallel to whether you want your property to be a regular rented home or a vacation rental. Your property should be decided depending on the type of tenants you’re hoping to attract. A regular local tenant would prefer a home closer to all the basic amenities of the city and their office. On the other hand, tourists on vacation have specific preferences like beach view and pools.
Weigh all the Available Options
San Diego County is huge and the number of neighborhoods to look into is enough to confuse anyone. Make a list and your research should allow you to directly cross out some localities that do not cater to your specific needs. Of the uncrossed names, you can put in some more research and finally decide the leading options.
Ask for Professional Assistance
Once you’ve made a list of your top picks, it is wise to approach a professional. For rental owners, property management companies can be very helpful as they have good knowledge of neighborhoods with the best rent potential. Expert advice is always good as they might even introduce you to new prospective locations that you had earlier missed.
Best Real Estate Investment Areas in San Diego
Now you know the pros of investing in San Diego real estate and how you can go about it. It is our turn to recommend some of the best investment areas you can find in the County. Every place in the list has its own unique charm and all the basic luxuries that the city is known for.
Carlsbad
If you love golf and anything related to it, Carlsbad is the place for you. The locality is located just 35 miles north of downtown San Diego and is bustling with regional activity. The people are friendly and it is a well-known destination for married couples to settle. Being a coastal city with a coastline miles long, there is enough beach area for tourists and locals to enjoy. In peak vacation seasons, the city receives a huge number of tourists visiting the place. For many, going on long drives along the coastline as the evening sun sets is reason enough to choose Carlsbad.
It has also become the go-to destination for people who enjoy cold beers and warm beaches. The city has its own impressive portfolio of breweries that make even the pickiest of drinkers want to chug a few.
Solana Beach
If music, arts and dining is what you’re looking for, then Solana Beach is where you need to be. Located in the north along the coastline of San Diego, this beautiful locality is home to some of the most hospitable people of California. The dining culture is huge as people love to go out and eat with friends as a local band serenades them. For music fans, they can find live shows playing in the local brewery and winery. The ocean waters and art installations are enough to please anyone when it comes to aesthetics.
The city has a fair amount of hotels and personal stays for tourists but every season, the influx is much more than the number of properties available. This makes Solana beach one of the most premiere and sought-after vacation spots for tourists.
Oceanside
Another coastal city barely an hour away from the city, Oceanside stays true to its name with breathtaking ocean views attracting tourists. Despite being a very popular location both for tourists and settlers, the city is affordable. Buying real estate in Oceanside should be affordable for the average buyer and the rent is good too. The city has a rich history viewed from its many landmarks peppered across the area. Most tourists come to revel in the history and coastal beauty of the city.
Another distinguishing factor is its architecture. Oceanside has beautiful historic buildings that reflect its deep roots tied to Spanish and Mexican culture. It hosts a mix of ethnicity and people visiting from all over the world. The local cuisine is also a mix of different cultures and foodies can really look forward to expanding their palette when they come here.
Encinitas
For people who love the beach, there could only be a handful of places better than Encinitas. Home of world-famous beaches, this city is the dream location of any vacation property owner. Tourists flood this coastal zone all round the year and for good reason. The weather is immaculate and the city is friendly. The locality is highly community-based and people enjoy mingling with each other. Very often, families and friends can be seen having a good time lounging by the beaches or enjoying walks across the town.
It is also a hub for local eateries and cafes where people can be seen munching on breakfast and drinking coffee. As a tourist vacation spot, the beaches are lined with tourists wherever the eyes go. Many vacation rental properties can be seen along the coastline providing spectacular views and oceanic ambience.
University City
Home to students- local and foreign, University City is one of the best locations in San Diego. The city is a hot spot for the tech industry and has made a name for itself as an optimal settling spot for tech professionals. In terms of renting, there is a huge potential as there are always students looking for a good place to stay. Additionally, there is also enough demand from young professionals for no rental property to be left vacant. If you’re considering San Diego, University City is a good spot for your next investment project.
As we discussed above, San Diego is a huge county. Our top picks aren’t even a handful compared to the number of options available in this region. Many times, a prime location may not end up being the best option for an investor due to their personal reasons. This is why it’s important to know beforehand what exactly it is that you’re looking for. If location isn’t a constriction for you, then the choices listed above can definitely prove to be worthy investments.
