In this episode of the Mortgage Heroes Podcast, we sit down with Douglas “DJ” Gutierrez — San Diego real estate investor, community member, Marine veteran, husband, and father of three girls — to break down what’s really happening in today’s housing market and how you can position yourself to win.

DJ is someone who not only talks real estate — he lives it. From investing in flips, rentals, and multi-unit properties, to building a life centered around family and long-term wealth, his perspective comes from real experience in the trenches.

Over the last few years, DJ and I have worked together on multiple investment deals, and through that built a strong relationship rooted in real estate, fatherhood, golf, and the shared drive to create more for our families and our community here in San Diego.

🏡 What We Cover in This Episode:
• What’s actually happening in the San Diego real estate market in 2026
• What buyers should be doing right now to get their offers accepted
• Strategies that are working (and NOT working) when submitting offers
• How to find hidden opportunities in today’s market
• Investor strategies: flips, rentals, multi-units, and ADUs
• What sellers need to understand in today’s shifting market
• How to think about timing vs strategy when buying real estate
• The mindset needed to win long-term in real estate

💡 Key Takeaways:
• The market isn’t bad — it’s different
• Strategy matters more than ever when buying or investing
• There are still deals in San Diego — but you need to know where to look
• Long-term thinking beats trying to time the market


👨‍👩‍👧‍👧 More Than Real Estate:

This episode goes beyond business.

We also talk about:
• Being fathers and raising young kids
• Balancing family, business, and investing
• Building generational wealth
• Staying grounded while chasing growth

🌴 About DJ Gutierrez:
• San Diego real estate investor
• U.S. Marine veteran
• Husband & father of three girls
• Active community member
• Focused on long-term wealth through real estate

📍 Who This Episode Is For:
• First-time homebuyers in San Diego
• Real estate investors (new or experienced)
• Homeowners thinking about selling
• Anyone trying to understand the 2026 housing market