Skip to main content

Owner Question

How Do I Sell My Santa Monica Apartment Building?

A direct answer for Santa Monica owners considering a private or public apartment building sale.

By Don Favia · Updated July 3, 2026

Direct Answer

To sell a Santa Monica apartment building, start by finding out what the building may be worth, organize the rent roll and expenses, review rent control issues, decide whether privacy or maximum exposure matters more, and then choose a sale process built around the likely buyer pool.

A Sale Is a Sequence

The process usually moves from valuation to preparation, buyer strategy, marketing or private outreach, offers, due diligence, escrow, and closing. The order matters because weak preparation can create pricing pressure later.

What Can Slow a Sale

Unclear rents, incomplete expenses, deferred maintenance, tenant documentation issues, unrealistic pricing, and uncertainty around rent control can all reduce buyer confidence. Fix what can be fixed before buyers start underwriting.

When Don Should Be Called

Call before you need to sell. That leaves time to review value, prepare documents, understand the buyer pool, and decide whether a public or quiet process gives the better shot at your goal.