Buying In Costa Mesa, CA
Sell Your Commercial Property In Costa Mesa, CA
Own a commercial apartment building of five or more units in Costa Mesa? We purchase multifamily properties around Eastside Costa Mesa, Westside Costa Mesa, and the rest of Orange County, and we review every deal against a clear buy box.
- Clear feedback on your deal, typically within 48 hours
- 5 to 100+ units, stabilized or distressed, listed or off-market
- Owners, agents, and brokers welcome — every conversation is confidential
We buy:Tired landlordsEstate & trust sales1031 exchangesDeferred maintenanceHigh vacancyPartnership splits
Areas We Target: Eastside Costa Mesa · Westside Costa Mesa · Mesa Verde · Newport Beach — Orange County, CA
Local Demand
Our View On Costa Mesa
Costa Mesa, CA is an Orange County city of 110,330 residents under ACS 2020-2024, where renters occupy 60.4% of homes and median gross rent runs $2,446 a month. Owners who want to sell commercial property in Costa Mesa, CA should weigh that renter-heavy market against California's $1.10 per $1,000 documentary transfer tax, half of which is Costa Mesa's own city tax under its municipal code. This profile pulls Census, HUD and city figures so a Costa Mesa owner can see what buyers will underwrite before selling.
South Coast Plaza
South Coast Plaza lists more than 275 boutiques and restaurants across 2.8 million square feet, drawing over 20 million visitors a year, per its site.Orange Coast College & Vanguard
Orange Coast College posted a Fall 2024 credit headcount of 15,343, and Vanguard University enrolled 2,316 degree-seeking students for Fall 2025, both official figures.Experian headquarters
Experian's North America headquarters sits at 475 Anton Blvd in Costa Mesa, per the company's official locations page, sustaining nearby office demand.Our Buy Box
What We Buy In Costa Mesa
Asset Type
Multifamily, 5+ Units
Apartment buildings and income-producing residential.
Size
5 – 100+ Units
Sweet spot: 15–25 units.
Condition
Stabilized To Distressed
Value-add, mismanaged, and high-vacancy properties welcome.
Deal Types
Listed Or Off-Market
Direct-to-owner, pocket listings, portfolios.
Local Market Data
Costa Mesa Apartment Market
Figures gathered October 2026 from public market data.
Who rents in Costa Mesa
Renters occupy 60.4% of Costa Mesa's 42,292 occupied homes under ACS 2020-2024, per Census table B25003, above Orange County's 43.6% share. Buildings of 5 or more units make up 33.2% of Costa Mesa's 44,427 housing units, about 14,759 homes, per Census table B25024, with a median year built of 1972. Investors who sell your apartment building in Costa Mesa buy into this older, renter-heavy inventory.
Rents and affordability in Costa Mesa
Costa Mesa's median gross rent is $2,446 a month under ACS 2020-2024, per Census table B25064, above Orange County's $2,434 figure. Of Costa Mesa renters, 51.5% pay 30% or more of income on rent, per Census table B25070. Compare both with HUD's FY2027 rents below for the Santa Ana-Anaheim-Irvine, CA HUD Metro FMR Area.
| HUD FY2027 FMR | Monthly rent |
|---|---|
| Efficiency | $2,580 |
| One-bedroom | $2,610 |
| Two-bedroom | $3,057 |
| Three-bedroom | $4,153 |
| Four-bedroom | $4,964 |
Property taxes in Orange County
California taxes real property at a base rate of 1% of assessed value under Proposition 13, or $20,000 on a $2,000,000 assessed value, per the State Board of Equalization. Voter-approved debt adds more in many Orange County tax rate areas beyond that base. A sale also carries California's $1.10 per $1,000 transfer tax, or $2,200 on $2,000,000, under Revenue and Taxation Code Section 11911. Half, $0.55 per $1,000, is Costa Mesa's own tax under Municipal Code Section 16-41, credited against the county's share under Section 11931, so an owner who wants to sell commercial property in Costa Mesa, CA pays $2,200 total, not twice.
Landlord rules in Costa Mesa
California caps most security deposits at one month's rent, refundable within 21 days, under Civil Code Section 1950.5. A landlord ending a month-to-month tenancy gives 60 days' notice after a year, or 30 days if less, under Civil Code Section 1946.1. The statewide cap of 5% plus inflation, or 10% total, under Civil Code Section 1947.12 applies to most Costa Mesa apartments over 15 years old; no stricter local rent or registration ordinance was found. Anyone who plans to sell commercial real estate in Costa Mesa, CA should factor that cap into underwriting.
What it means for a Costa Mesa owner
Skyline Capital Investments buys buildings with 5 or more units, a category covering about 14,759 Costa Mesa homes, or 33.2% of the city's stock. Owners ready to sell commercial property in Costa Mesa, CA can model value with the cap rate calculator. Experian's headquarters and 275-plus boutiques and restaurants at South Coast Plaza keep nearby office and retail demand steady. Those who want to sell multifamily property in Costa Mesa can start at Sell My Apartment Building, where the tax split and rent cap are explained in underwriting terms.
Local Knowledge
Costa Mesa Seller Checklist
More about selling in California →Investing in Costa Mesa? See apartment syndications in Costa Mesa →
- Costa Mesa's rental vacancy rate is 4.3% under ACS 2020-2024, close to Orange County's 4.4% rate.
- No Costa Mesa rental registration or stricter local rent-control ordinance was found in the municipal code.
- Sellers who sell commercial real estate in Costa Mesa, CA pay $1.10 per $1,000 in transfer tax.
Seller Guides
Selling In Costa Mesa? Common Situations We Handle
Learn More
Taxes & Rules For Costa Mesa Property
The California rules that shape any deal in Costa Mesa: what a sale costs in tax, how buildings are taxed, what landlords must follow, and how to defer gains.
Costa Mesa Seller FAQ
What should I know before I sell commercial property in Costa Mesa, CA?
Buildings of 5 or more units hold about 14,759 Costa Mesa homes, or 33.2% of the city's 44,427 total housing units, under ACS 2020-2024 Census data. Skyline Capital Investments buys apartment buildings in that size category across Costa Mesa, where renters already occupy 60.4% of homes.
What does transfer tax cost on a $2,000,000 sale for someone who will sell commercial real estate in Costa Mesa, CA?
The total is $2,200, split evenly: $1,100 is Costa Mesa's own city tax under Municipal Code Section 16-41, and $1,100 is the county's remaining share after the city credit, under Revenue and Taxation Code Section 11931. The buyer and seller never pay $2,200 twice.
How much can a Costa Mesa landlord raise rent each year?
California's statewide cap under Civil Code Section 1947.12 limits most increases to 5% plus inflation, or 10% total, whichever is lower, for buildings older than 15 years. No stricter local Costa Mesa rent ordinance was found, which matters for anyone selling commercial property in Costa Mesa before setting new asking rents.
What is the average rent in Costa Mesa, CA?
Costa Mesa's median gross rent is $2,446 a month under ACS 2020-2024, slightly above Orange County's $2,434 countywide figure. Still, 51.5% of Costa Mesa renters pay 30% or more of income on rent, and 24.7% pay half or more, per Census table B25070.
Is a security deposit refund deadline set for Costa Mesa rentals?
Yes, under statewide law. California's Civil Code Section 1950.5 caps most security deposits at one month's rent and requires an itemized refund within 21 days after a tenant vacates, with no separate Costa Mesa city ordinance found covering deposits.
What if my Costa Mesa building has vacancies or deferred maintenance?
That is often where we add the most value. We buy buildings that need renovation, new management, or lease-up, and we account for that in our offer.
Do you work with Costa Mesa brokers and agents?
We do. Agents can bring us listed or pocket-listing deals in Costa Mesa, and we keep every conversation confidential.
Is it possible to sell rental property in Costa Mesa without evicting tenants?
It is. We buy apartment buildings occupied, and tenants stay on their current leases. Skyline Capital Investments is a commercial real estate buyer of 5+ unit buildings, so occupied properties are the norm for us.
Do I need a broker to sell my apartment building in Costa Mesa?
No. You can work with us directly, or your broker can bring the deal to us. Either way, conversations stay confidential.
Submit A Deal
Tell Us About Your Property In Costa Mesa
A few details are enough to start. We respond to every Costa Mesa submission, including off-market and pocket listings.
