List of Candidates

PSAR has announced its November 3, 2020 General Election Voter Guide, featuring endorsements of San Diego County candidates and local initiatives.

The endorsed candidates have demonstrated their understanding of the real estate industry and have indicated their commitment to home ownership and housing. PSAR's Government Affairs Committee, following a review of ballot measures and propositions, are recommending votes based on potential industry impacts. Particularly important in the midst of the current housing crisis is for PSAR members to support leaders and policies that protect and promote home ownership.

A team of PSAR members researched candidates’ voting records, public comments relating to preserving and protecting property rights and support for public policies and initiatives promoting participation in the American dream of homeownership and property investment. The endorsements that resulted from this research were approved by members of the PSAR Government Affairs Committee and PSAR Board of Directors.

PSAR’s list of endorsed candidates covers a broad spectrum of positions, including an open and incumbent seat in Congress, two open seats for San Diego County Board of Supervisors, mayors in two San Diego County cities,11 other candidates for seats on local city councils in five other cities, city attorney, school district and special district seats.

Sara Jacobs, PSAR’s endorsed candidate for the 53rd Congressional District, is hoping to succeed Susan Davis, who retired after 20 years of service in the House. This is the second run for Congress by Jacobs, the granddaughter of Qualcomm co-founder Irwin Jacobs. She ran in the 49th District in 2018 but came in third in the primary.

No longer coastal, the 53rd stretches from Interstate 5 on the west, through Mission Valley to the East County and south to Chula Vista. PSAR also has endorsed the reelection of Rep. Juan Vargas, who has represented the 51st Congressional District since 2012. The 51st includes all of Imperial County, National City, Chula Vista, Imperial Beach and El Centro.

Two San Diego County Supervisor seats are open due to term limits for the incumbents. The endorsed supervisorial candidates include Joel Anderson, former State Assemblyman and State Senator for District 2, and Ben Hueso, former member of the San Diego City Council, State Assembly and State Senate, for the District 1 seat. 

Anderson, who lives in Alpine, is hoping to succeed Dianne Jacob, who has served for the past 28 years. Jacob, first elected as Supervisor in 1992, is termed out. Anderson, a Republican, previously served for 12 years on a statewide level in the California State Assembly (2006-2010) and the California State Senate (2010-2018).

The Second Supervisorial District, the largest of the county’s five districts, features more than 2,000 square miles and more than 50 communities and cities in the East County, including the unincorporated communities of Lakeside, Alpine, Ramona and Julian, the cities of El Cajon, La Mesa, Lemon Grove, Santee and Poway and the city of San Diego communities of Allied Gardens, College Area, Del Cerro, Grantville, Navajo, Rolando and San Carlos.

Hueso, a San Diego native and resident of Logan Heights, is hoping to succeed Greg Cox, who is termed out after 25 years of representing District 1’s South Bay communities. Hueso, a Democrat, first held elected office in 2005, winning a special election for the San Diego City Council. He served on the council for five years, including one year as council president, before running for a seat in the State Assembly in 2010. His tenure in the Assembly was brief, as he won a seat in the State Senate during a special election in 2013.

District 1 includes the cities of Coronado, Imperial Beach, Chula Vista, National City, communities within Southeast San Diego, Point Loma, Sunset Cliffs and parts of downtown San Diego. The district also includes the unincorporated communities of Bonita, Sunnyside, Lincoln Acres and East Otay Mesa.

Other noteworthy PSAR endorsements for the November general election:

• Juan Vargas, congressman, 51st Congressional District
• John Minto, reelection as mayor, City of Santee
• Jerry Jones, mayor, City of Lemon Grove
• Joe Leventhal (District 5), Stephen Whitburn (District 3), Will Moore (District 1), San Diego City Council
• Mike Diaz (District 4), Steve Padilla (District 3), Chula Vista City Council
• Phil Ortiz (District 4), Humbert Cabrera (District 2), El Cajon City Council
• Kristine Alessio, Laura Lothian, Colin Parent, La Mesa City Council
• Ditas Yamane, National City City Council
• Mara Elliott, reelection as San Diego City Attorney
• Armando Farias, Laurie Humphrey, Chula Vista Elementary School District
• Adrian Arancibia, Sweetwater Union High School District
• Mitch Thompson, Mark Roback, Otay Water District
• David Johnston, Valle de Oro Planning Group

In addition to candidates, PSAR is recommending “No” votes on two California propositions: Proposition 15, a ballot measure calling for higher property taxes on commercial and industrial real estate, and Proposition 21, a rent control ballot measure.

PSAR has recommendations on two local measures, the City of San Diego’s Measure “E,” which addresses the city’s Midway-Pacific Highway Community Plan, and the City of Santee’s Measure “N,” called the General Plan Protection Initiative.

PSAR is recommending a “Yes” vote on Measure E. If approved, Measure E would exempt the Midway-Pacific Highway Community Plan from its current 30-foot coastal height limit. Measure E is the only local ballot measure to earn bipartisan endorsement from the Democratic and Republican parties of San Diego counties

PSAR is recommending a “No” vote on Measure N, which would limit new housing. Voters will decide whether to allow residents to determine the fate of high-density housing projects that don’t comply with the city’s General Plan-- its blueprint for growth. If approved, Measure N could imperil the recently approved 3,000-home Fanita Ranch development.

To review the PSAR November 2020 General Election Voter Guide, visit https://blog.psar.org/2020voterguide.

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Our Mission is to empower Realtors to flourish while being accountable to each other
our clients and our community.

Since 1928, the Pacific Southwest Association of REALTORS® has played a significant role in shaping the history, growth & development of the Real Estate industry in San Diego County. This program is only open to REALTORS® and PSAR Affiliate Members. There is no cost for attending this program.

 

PSAR is encouraging all of our members, and all San Diego-area real estate industry professionals, to exercise their right to vote in the upcoming election. Your vote counts!

PSAR has an active and vital group of REALTOR® members who serve on the PSAR Government Affairs (GA) Committee. The GA Committee has three subcommittees that focus on specific geographical areas of the county.

GA Committee members offer political endorsements, and act as political advocates and review public policy and its impact on the PSAR membership in particular and the real estate industry as a whole. In addition, GA Committee members address a variety of complex and multi-dimensional issues impacting the protection of private property rights.

GA Committee members are acutely aware of the importance of voting, even more so in this upcoming general election. The stakes are high. If issues and candidates affecting your realtor business and the industry itself matter to you, then it matters that you vote on them.

With early voting underway, GA Committee members were recently asked about the importance of voting. Below are their comments (names appear in alphabetical order, some quotes were edited for clarity).

-- “Our committee is made up of Republicans, Democrats, Independents, and others. We research, conduct interviews, review questionnaires, and our decisions are primarily based upon the notion of property rights, expanding homeownership, rights of tenants, and the rights of owners of commercial and rental properties. We will endorse candidates whom we feel best support these values over their opponents. It’s important to elect leaders who will work with REALTORS®. We all have our own choices of candidates, but we hope by supporting pro-real estate candidates and propositions, it might help influence voters who agree with us that property rights and the expansion of homeownership are essential to all Americans.” -- Mike Anderson

“Democracy is vital to real estate. If people don't vote, then it’s the corporations and banks that set policy that affects your ability to buy a home. When you vote, you make your voice heard. Be a voice for our communities where we can work towards a country where everyone has the opportunity to be a homeowner.” -- Deirdre Bramberg

--“ I sat with my family and we reviewed each proposition and discussed ones we were not clear on. Let’s use the voting season to engage and unite families.” -- Jeff Campbell

-- “Elected officials are political beings. They listen to the people in the communities who vote and they also listen to the people and organizations who contribute resources that allow them to reach out to those voters. Making sure your voice is heard as a voter is every bit as important as for whom you vote.  Communities and neighborhoods with high voting percentages attract more attention and resources.  Citizens who vote have a voice with politicians and those who do not vote have no voice." -- Richard D’Ascoli, Chief Executive Officer, PSAR

-- “It is a civic duty to vote and every single vote makes a difference. As a citizen of the country, the right to vote is one of the freedoms the county gives its people. It is a chance for our voice to be heard and an opportunity to select the leaders we believe have the ability to represent us in our government.” -- Merrie Espina.

-- “Each PSAR member should exercise their right and obligation to vote. In this election, as in most elections, your future earnings, your tax obligations, and the laws that enable or hobble our industry are all in play. PSAR, C.A.R. and NAR can all be influential as supporting organizations, focusing on critical policy issues. But, in the final analysis, it is your individual vote and the power of our collective votes that will select our elected officials and establish the policies that impact our lives and our business environment for years to come.” -- William Hall

-- “Our votes this election are more important than ever as our region, state and country stand at a pivotal time.  PSAR’s Governmental Affairs Committee, as well as C.A.R. and NAR, spend a lot of time each election interviewing and weighing which candidates and propositions uphold basic property rights. REALTOR® endorsements have been made available to all of our members and we hope that you will read and consider the recommendations when you cast your votes as you believe best represents your views.” Kay LeMenager

-- “In all areas of life having your opportunity to vote is of utmost importance. I feel it is our duty as Americans to make voting a serious commitment in support of the sacrifice of those before us to fight for our right to do so. My children were educated to study the propositions and follow the federal, state and local elections and vote from the age they became eligible. It starts with us as parents to lead by example.”  -- Colleen McDade

-- “It’s very important to get out there and vote. Many people complain about the results, but if you don't vote, don’t complain. Every vote counts, so do your part and get out there and vote.” -- Patricia McFadden

-- “Voting is how we convey our desires for change. Please exercise your right to vote with the goal of making a better today and tomorrow for us all.” -- Paul Moses

-- “Every vote really does matter. Just last cycle, San Diego District 8 primary was decided by 3 votes, my college board race was decided by 23 votes. Vote and get your friends and family to vote, too.” -- Rafael A. Perez

-- “I am involved in Government Affairs and I try to be as active as I can be in politics is because it does have an impact on our industry. One can be part of the problem or the solution. I can stand by and complain or I can do what I can do to act.  Rome was not built in a day, and as we all know California has its issues which have a direct impact on our business. Be impactful and relevant. Part of doing that is reading the voters guide and voting. It’s common sense, do nothing and one can only expect nothing. So, why not be relevant and do something.” -- Rebecca Pollack-Rude

-- “I’ve been a member of the Government Affairs Committee for many years because I believe the grass roots portion of our local governments are truly the roots of our way of life as it pertains to the freedoms that are rightfully ours. Voting is the most important right and freedom that, as a U.S. citizen, we enjoy, or should enjoy. The committee is a way to hear from our peers, our local government officials and the candidates at various levels of government who have an impact at every level of our community life, and most especially as it pertains to housing and private property rights. In this unprecedented time of pandemic, the value of the roof over our head has never been more in the spotlight. Personally, I’ve grown to appreciate greatly our rights as individuals, as members of our local communities, our country and lately as a member of humankind. Register to vote, inform yourself. Make choices because you understand the issues and the candidates, not because someone else told you that it’s the best way or the only way or just because. Exercise your most valuable right. Vote and understand and appreciate that right.” -- Pat Russiano

-- “I have always felt that it is one’s responsibility to be knowledgeable regarding the election process, issues and then vote. I taught my children and now grandchildren that they have a responsibility as a citizen of the United States of America to vote.” -- Norma J. Scantlin

-- “Our GA Committee spends a lot of time vetting our recommendations with input from REALTORS® from various backgrounds and party affiliations. Please let your voice be heard and vote. If nothing else, vote NO on the real estate related propositions 15, 19 and 21.” -- Mark Scott

-- “I have never once missed the honor and the obligation to vote. It is the glue that binds us as Americans, giving us the confidence that we are a nation guided by the rule of law.  It is fundamental to the American success story and to our sense of pride in being an American.” -- Mitch Thompson

-- “As a REALTOR® Party member, 2021 PSAR President-Elect, and as an individual, I care deeply about the future of our country. I know first-hand that our vote is needed in this election more than ever before. Your GA committee and the PSAR Board of Directors have spent a great deal of time to vet all PSAR endorsed candidates. I hope that you would consider these candidates as you cast your vote. The future of our country is in our hands. Please vote.” -- Max Zaker

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Our Mission is to empower Realtors to flourish while being accountable to each other
our clients and our community.

Since 1928, the Pacific Southwest Association of REALTORS® has played a significant role in shaping the history, growth & development of the Real Estate industry in San Diego County. This program is only open to REALTORS® and PSAR Affiliate Members. There is no cost for attending this program.

PSAR is recommending a “No” vote on California Proposition 21, a rent control ballot proposition known as the “Rental Affordability Act.” The Governor and Legislature have already passed rent control into law. This Proposition goes too far and has too many unintended negative consequences.

If approved, Prop. 21 would change state law to allow cities to apply new rent control ordinances and/or expand existing ones. New laws could be enacted affecting homes at least 15 years old. Prop. 21 exempts single-family homes owned by landlords with more than two properties.

Proponents claim cities should be allowed to approve additional limits on rent increases to protect California families who are one rent hike away from being driven out of their neighborhoods by landlords. They further claim this proposition will stop homelessness and gentrification.

The fact is that Prop. 21 would make it less desirable for builders to construct more housing, affordable or otherwise, at a time when California has a massive housing shortage. It would also decrease revenue for city and state governments, already cash-strapped by the fallout from the Covid pandemic. It would reduce the number of housing units in the state and allow bureaucrats to add fees on top of base rent, thereby increasing the cost of living at a time when Californians can least afford it. In fact, only two years ago, in 2018, Californians made their decision about rent control at the polls.

In 2018, voters in 56 of 58 California counties overwhelmingly rejected a statewide rent control measure by a 20-point margin. Why is this subject being revisited so soon? Los Angeles-based AIDS Healthcare Foundation and its President, Michael Weinstein, funded a signature collection drive that once again put the measure on the ballot. This appears to make this issue a special interest one.

Last year, state legislators passed a new law that set a 7 percent ceiling on yearly rent increases. CalMatters, a public interest journalism venture, concluded that the action by Sacramento lawmakers in 2019 was an effort to ward off another statewide rent control ballot measure by Weinstein and company that clearly was unsuccessful.

According to CalMatters, Prop. 21 opponents include Governor Gavin Newsom, California Apartment Association, California Seniors Advocate League, Essex Property Trust and Prometheus Real Estate Group. Prop. 21 supporters include the AIDS Healthcare Foundation, Eviction Defense Network and Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders.

California Association of REALTORS® (C.A.R.), Apartment Association of Orange County and Californians to Protect Affordable Housing, a coalition of housing advocates, renters, businesses, taxpayers and veterans encourage a “NO” vote on Proposition 21.

Other organizations opposing Prop. 21 include the California Council for Affordable Housing, California Community Builders, the California State Conference of the NAACP, Si Se Puede, Congress of California Seniors, Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association and the San Diego Building and Construction Trades Council.

A CalMatters headline stated “Proposition 21 rent control will discourage construction of affordable housing.” A CalMatters opinion writer asserted: We must protect small property owners who, in contrast to corporate landlords, often are natural affordable housing providers, operate on small margins, give applicants a chance if they don’t meet all of the rental qualifications, and help maintain the integrity of a community. The state of California is facing a new economic challenge, and families across our state are struggling. What we need most is new investment in our housing market, not an extreme measure like Proposition 21 that will further destabilize it.”

The San Diego Union-Tribune newspaper editorial board wrote: “Expanding rent control will make the California housing crisis worse. Rent control is the wrong way to help Californians struggling with housing. Lawmakers who are juggling a lot during this pandemic need to not lose sight of that. The long-term solution is listening to experts and building new houses.”

The San Francisco Chronicle newspaper editorial board described Prop. 21 as “a rent control retread unimproved by age.”

The Press Democrat newspaper in Santa Rosa, Calif. said Prop. 21 is a proposed “rent control law that won’t end the housing crisis.” Its editorial resource stated: “California voters soundly rejected rent control in the November 2018 election for a good reason: It won’t alleviate the state’s housing problems. In fact, economists almost universally agree that imposing rent control would be counterproductive. State lawmakers voted in 2019 to cap rent increases anyway, while requiring landlords to show `just cause’ for evictions. Yet, here we are again, barely a year later, asked to decide another rent control initiative. Voters should once again say no.”

The headline in the Orange County Register read, “Rent control is the horrible idea that won’t go away.” Its editorial stated: “California’s housing affordability isn’t that complicated. There is high demand and inadequate supply. If the goal is to expand the accessibility of housing, it is necessary to increase supply. Rent control is incredibly effective at backfiring on that front. Research has shown that San Francisco’s rent control policies resulted in many landlords removing housing units from the market. Renters in non-rent-controlled units, meanwhile, faced even higher rents than would otherwise be the case.”

For more information about the campaign against Prop 21, visit www.noonprop21.org.

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Our Mission is to empower Realtors to flourish while being accountable to each other
our clients and our community.

Since 1928, the Pacific Southwest Association of REALTORS® has played a significant role in shaping the history, growth & development of the Real Estate industry in San Diego County. This program is only open to REALTORS® and PSAR Affiliate Members. There is no cost for attending this program.

DRE ANNOUNCES PUBLICATION OF REVISED LANDLORD/TENANT GUIDEBOOK

SACRAMENTO – The California Department of Real Estate (DRE) announced today that it has completed a major revision to the widely used resource guidebook titled, California Tenants – A Guide To Residential Tenants' and landlords' Rights and Responsibilities.

The Department of Consumer Affairs last published the guidebook in 2012. Since then, the Legislature passed, and the Governor signed, many new laws addressing landlords and tenants. Recognizing the need to update this guidebook, DRE revised it to reflect the addition of new laws, including the Tenant Protection Act of 2019 (AB 1482) and the
Tenant, Homeowner and Small Landlord Relief and Stabilization Act (AB 3088), which includes the COVID-19 Tenant Relief Act of 2020. These updates are critically important to landlords and tenants, especially during this time of economic uncertainty.  “Equipping tenants and landlords with detailed and timely information to help them make
informed decisions was DRE’s main focus with this project,” Real Estate Commissioner Doug McCauley said. “Keeping Californians housed is crucial in the public health climate and this resource will provide much-needed clarity on key rental issues.”

Relevant and detailed revised chapters in the guidebook include but are not limited to: Before You Agree to Rent, Dealing with Problems, Terminations and Evictions, Tenant Protection Act of 2019, Resolving Problems, Getting Help from a Third Party, and a Glossary.

This guidebook and other useful information for landlords and tenants can be found at the DRE-created website HousingisKey.com. The online version of the guidebook can be easily translated into other languages using the google translate function on the website.

Printed copies will be available later this year.  Here is a link to the downloadable PDF version of the document.

The DRE released is fall bulletin.  In it see  articles including:

• Commissioner’s Message
• Licensing: Speed and Simplicity
• Loan Modifications and Advance Fees
• Lesser-Known Mortgage Loan Related Violations
• Helpful or Illegal? When helping clients crosses the line
• Compensating Balances and Other Considerations Received in Trust Accounts

PSAR is recommending a “no” vote on California Proposition 15, a ballot measure that calls for higher property taxes on commercial and industrial real estate.

Prop. 15 is referred to as the “Split Roll Ballot Initiative, Schools and Communities First.” If approved, Prop. 15 would require calculating property taxes for commercial and industrial real estate based on current market value. It would raise property taxes on supermarkets, shopping malls, office buildings, factories, movie theaters, hotels, restaurants, sports stadiums, warehouses, self-storage facilities, major retailers and other businesses.

Proponents claim $6.5 billion to $11.5 billion generated from the increased property taxes would be allocated to schools (40 percent) and local government (60 percent).Opponents say Prop. 15 is a direct attack on Proposition 13, which limits annual increases in assessed property value to 2 percent. Prop. 13, passed by California voters in 1978, remains a godsend to fixed-income retirees and middle-income workers who would be incapable of paying the increased property tax assessments over the last 40 years as California home prices have quintupled. If enacted, this massive tax increase will prompt companies to flee California at a time when businesses are already struggling.

The San Diego County Office of Assessor-Recorder-County Clerk, which opposes Prop. 15, recently delivered a presentation to PSAR members. The presentation included the contention that supporters for Prop. 15 are laboring under five false premises:

1. Businesses don’t pay their fair share of property taxes (in fact, taxes paid by commercial property owners have increased 1,930 percent since 1978);
   
   
2. Prop. 15 won’t impact small businesses because properties worth less than $3 million are exempt (in fact, the average commercial or industrial parcel in San Diego County is valued at $3.1 million, which is above the exemption level);
   
   
3. Prop. 15 will impact only property owners, not tenants (in fact, if tenants are required to pay higher rents by property owners who need to recoup the property tax increase, then costs will impact tenants/customers);
   
   
4. Prop. 15 won’t impact residential housing (in fact, raw land zoned for residential and commercial-industrial uses will be reassessed and mixed-use properties with more than 25 percent commercial also will be reassessed);
   
   
5. Prop. 15 won’t impact female-, immigrant- and minority-owned businesses (in fact, the groups opposing Prop. 15 include social justice leaders, such as the NAACP, California Black Chamber of Commerce, California Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, CalAsian Chamber of Commerce and National Action Network).

A Berkeley Research Group study found increasing property taxes on small businesses will hurt female- and minority-owned businesses the most, and up to 120,000 private-sector jobs will be lost. Prop. 15 would incentivize local governments to approve business projects to replace existing housing in order to generate greater property tax revenue.

Ernie Dronenburg, Jr., San Diego County Assessor-recorder-County Clerk, said, “Proposition 15 won’t close the door on an imaginary corporate tax loophole, but it will close the doors of real San Diego small businesses. Prop. 15 is the wrong idea at the wrong time.”

The San Diego Union-Tribune editorial board wrote: “No on Proposition 15, vast tax hike during a deep recession is a crazy idea. Approving Proposition 15 is not about preserving essential government services, as advocates assert. It is about preserving generous government pensions that threaten to bankrupt government agencies across the state. Send a message that pension reform should precede a massive tax hike and vote no on Proposition 15.”

Dan Walters, columnist with CalMatters, a public interest journalism venture, wrote: “Both proponents and opponents know that Proposition 15 is a proxy battle over whether Proposition 13 is still an untouchable icon. The measure’s backers had no way of knowing that the COVID-19 pandemic and the severe recession it spawned would visit themselves on California, changing the tenor of their battle with business groups over the issue. While proponents argue that the new revenue is needed to keep vital public services, including schools, from being slashed, opponents argue that with businesses already suffering, this is the wrong time to saddle them with more taxes.”

Antonio Villaraigosa, former Mayor of Los Angeles and Speaker of the California State Assembly, wrote in a CalMatters column: “This poorly drafted tax measure will disproportionately hurt everyday Californians during the worst economic crisis since the 1930s. It will put significant pressure on jobs in general, but private sector union jobs in particular. Because Prop. 15 raises property taxes, those higher taxes will get passed on to small business tenants, who rent. These businesses, in turn, will pass higher costs on to consumers in the form of increased prices on everything we buy, groceries, fuel, utilities, clothing and health care. California’s cost of living is already among the nation’s highest. Prop. 15 will drive the cost of living even higher.”

For more information about voting “no” on Prop. 15, visit https://noonprop15.org. The following statement is on the website: “Amid an unprecedented economic crisis, special interests are pushing Prop 15 on the November 2020 statewide ballot that will destroy Prop 13’s property tax protections and will be the largest property tax increase in California history. If businesses lose their Prop 13 protections, homeowners will be next.

“Prop 15 will raise taxes on business property, leading to higher rents for small businesses. Ultimately, Prop 15 will make income inequality worse by driving up the cost of living for just about everything we need and use, like food, utilities, daycare and healthcare.

“We must reject Prop 15 and maintain Prop 13 protections that have kept property taxes affordable and provided every taxpayer who buys a home, farm or business property with certainty that they can afford their property tax bills in the future. Now is not the time to raise taxes and bring more uncertainty to businesses and all Californians.”

County Assessor Comments on Prop 15 - "Unfortunately, Prop 15 hides that it is the largest property tax increase in California history that will"... Read More

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Our Mission is to empower Realtors to flourish while being accountable to each other
our clients and our community.

Since 1928, the Pacific Southwest Association of REALTORS® has played a significant role in shaping the history, growth & development of the Real Estate industry in San Diego County. This program is only open to REALTORS® and PSAR Affiliate Members. There is no cost for attending this program.

Meet Merrie Espina, who was recently elected to a two-year term (2021-2022) on the PSAR Board of Directors. 

Merrie grew up in the Philippines, traveled to London to study nursing and then moved to the United States with her first husband who was serving in the military at the time. The couple then lived abroad in Guam, Greece, London and Italy and Merrie worked both as a nurse and in banking during this time. They returned to the U.S. in the early 1990s living in Norfolk, Virginia and Long Beach, California, before relocating to San Diego.

While the family was stationed in Naples, Italy, Merrie had the experience of kissing the hand of Pope John II, who was the second longest-serving pope in modern history (from October 1978, until his death on April 2, 2005, at age 84).

“It was my daughter’s first communion and she was in the second grade. All the children were invited to go to the Vatican,” said Merrie. “The pope put his hand on each child’s head. When he walked down the line, I reached for his hand and he let me kiss it. It was a lifetime experience.”

In San Diego, Merrie worked for Navy Federal Credit Union and organized a trip for 20 bank employees to travel to Los Angeles to watch “The Price is Right” daytime TV game show.

“It was so much fun, especially when the announcer called my name. You don’t even realize that you’re on TV,” said Merrie. “I missed a car and a trip by one spot on the big wheel. Instead, I won seven mountain bikes. One of our bank employees won $10,000, but I got to hug and kiss Bob Barker.”

Merrie worked for 21 years in banking as a loan counselor, manager and marketing director. She then launched a career in real estate, beginning with a job with Century 21 Award. She moved to Realty Edge, followed by Ad Valorem. In 1997, she earned her real estate sales license and joined PSAR. By 1998 Merrie had formed her own brokerage firm, which she later sold during the 2007 recession.

“When I opened my own office, I set-up a crib for my granddaughter in our real estate office where she grew up while I worked. She’s now 19 years old” said Merrie. “I love my family, my two children, 6 grandchildren and my 84-year-old mom who lives with me. And, I love my PSAR real estate family."

“I’ve always been a volunteer. As a military spouse, I volunteered as an ombudsman. At church, I volunteered for a prom for special needs kids. For PSAR, I have volunteered annually on several committees, including Education, Grievance, Government Affairs, Global Council and Charity.”

This is not Merrie’s first time serving on the PSAR board. She was a board member from 2016 and 2017. She also served as a C.A.R. director (2018).

Merrie has earned a Master of Real Estate degree from REALTOR® University, a program endorsed by the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR). She also has a bachelor’s degree in management and business from the University of Laverne.

She has been honored with the 2019 PSAR REALTOR® of the Year award. Her former real estate office was named Business of the Year by the San Diego Filipino American Chamber of Commerce.

“I love real estate, I value my clients’ trust, loyalty and support,” said Merrie. “I treat and take care of them like family. I believe in helping others, listening and sharing my ideas to be part of the solution. When I go to bed, I ask myself: What good things did I do today to make a difference?”

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PSAR's Mission is to empower Realtors to flourish while being accountable to each other our clients and our community.

Since 1928, the Pacific Southwest Association of REALTORS® has played a significant role in shaping the history, growth and development of the Real Estate industry in San Diego County.

PSAR is proud to announce the completion of the “Robert Calloway Memorial Veteran Housing Grant” program.

In a joint partnership with the California Association of REALTORS® (C.A.R.) Housing Affordability Fund (HAF), on Memorial Day, PSAR launched a special grants program named in honor of 2019 PSAR President Robert Calloway, a military veteran and PSAR Past Immediate-President.

The PSAR Robert Calloway Memorial Veteran Housing Grant program helped first-time military homebuyers with closing-cost assistance of $1,500. 

A total of 34 grants were available. The grants program was scheduled to continue for up to one year or until the available $51,000 was exhausted. Less than three months later, on Aug. 26, the final available closing-cost grant was approved and distributed.

“This grants program was a tremendous success for our veterans,” said Robert Cromer, 2020 PSAR President. “PSAR was honored to give-back to our military community and provide closing-cost assistance to our hometown heroes and their families who were searching to find a place to call home. I am proud to have been part of this effort to help these courageous men and women who have sacrificed and served to protect this beautiful country and our values and freedoms that have kept us free.”

“We felt that naming this grant after Robert Calloway was a fitting tribute to his legacy as a veteran and a member of the PSAR family,” said Rich D’Ascoli, CEO of PSAR. “Our Association was proud to team-up with C.A.R. and give back to those who have worked hard to protect our everyday lives. The Robert Calloway Memorial Veteran Housing Grant program has truly been an across-the-board, undeniable success story that everyone can be proud of.”

The joint partnership with PSAR and C.A.R. was initiated by the late Robert Calloway, who suddenly passed away May 4 this year from heart disease. He was 54. Prior to his real estate sales career as a REALTOR®, Calloway served in the U.S. Navy for 26 years, from June 1985 to June 2011, retiring as a Senior Chief Navy Counselor. He specialized in human resources and counseling for the Navy during 20 of his 26 years. In 2008, Calloway started selling real estate while still serving in the Navy. He joined PSAR at the start of his real estate sales career and was elected to the PSAR board of directors in 2014.

At the time of his passing, Calloway was serving as a current PSAR board member and as a C.A.R. director, including as Vice Chair of C.A.R.’s Southern California Region 30. In addition, Calloway was serving as an advisor to Ernie Dronenburg, San Diego County assessor-recorder-clerk. With the assistance of  Calloway’s leadership, Dronenburg introduced a number of housing initiatives that assisted disabled military veterans achieve homeownership, stay in their homes and save money on their property taxes.

“It’s wonderful to learn of PSAR’s success with the Robert Calloway Memorial Veteran Housing Grant program,” said Dronenburg. “It was an honor to work with Robert, who made San Diego a better place to live. His life was marked by service, starting in the Navy and ending as a super professional in the real estate industry. His legacy of service will live on in the homes of the veteran families who were able to achieve homeownership thanks to the Robert Calloway Memorial Veteran Housing Grant.”

Meet Andrea Martino, who was recently elected to a two-year term (2021-2022) on the PSAR board of directors as an affiliate director.

Andrea, a native of Tijuana, moved to San Diego at age 13. “At first, I struggled as an English language learner in academics,” said Andrea. “I was an underdog among my peers. But, the experience taught me to not be afraid to be challenged out of my comfort zone and overcome my insecurities.”

Andrea excelled as a student at Otay Ranch High School. At age 16, she was accepted to participate in an internship at The San Diego Union-Tribune.  

The newspaper’s annual summer journalism program offers the opportunity for high school students to learn about journalism. The students, paired with mentors in the Union Tribune newsroom, write stories, take photographs and create videos. The program focuses on reporting and writing, with special attention paid to critical thinking, objectivity, accuracy, fairness, interviewing, research and media literacy. Participating students are considered for college scholarship funds. Andrea was honored as the top student and received a college scholarship.  

“I remember going through my English-Spanish dictionary and having no idea about what my mentor was talking about, what’s a district attorney, what is extradition,” said Andrea. “But, the internship turned into a life-changing event. Again, I was challenged out of my comfort zone to learn a lot in a short amount of time.”  

After graduating from high school in 2010, Andrea attended San Diego State University and studied psychology and counseling. She got a job at South Bay Community Services (SBCS), a nonprofit that has been the beneficiary of proceeds from several PSAR charity events, including the REALTOR® Games and Zombie 5K Run-Walk.  

Based in Chula Vista, SBCS provides holistic comprehensive support for children, youth and families in crisis to help them heal and create self-sufficient lives. SBCS supports local residents with housing assistance, counseling, life skills and job readiness training.  At SBCS, Andrea worked on academic support programs and offered services to youth who were homeless or involved in the juvenile justice system. She was also involved with marketing, fundraising, and community relations at SBCS.

“I became acquainted with PSAR thanks to their support of South Bay Community Services,” said Andrea. “PSAR’s support meant so much to us at the time. This is a big reason why it was important for me to give back to the Association as soon as I joined the real estate industry.”

Since 2018, Andrea has worked for New Venture Escrow as a sales executive. “I love my job because it gives me an opportunity to build new partnerships and friendships,” she said. “I took a leap of faith by switching career paths but I’m a firm believer that great things happen outside our comfort zone.” 

Shortly after starting her real estate career, Andrea was invited to join the board of directors of the National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals, La Jolla Chapter.  

She also joined PSAR and volunteered on the Charity Committee and the Young Professionals Network (YPN) group. Last year, Andrea oversaw YPN’s “Saddle-up and Hold’em,” a fundraiser and after-work mixer that was held at the Seven Mile Casino in Chula Vista. Event proceeds benefited Saddles in Service, a Descanso-based equestrian nonprofit that promotes wellness and healing from stress and depression for active-duty and retired military and first responders.  

“It was a lot of fun and my first opportunity to plan an event,” said Andrea. “I was so honored and privileged to take the lead and help PSAR with a successful event.”  

Then, a friend encouraged her to run for the open seat on the board as an affiliate member.  

“I decided to go for it because I’m passionate about doing new things and helping my real estate community. So, now I’m taking another leap of faith to serve on the board,” said Andrea. “I look forward to building relationships between affiliates and REALTORS®. I’m super-stoked about it and very grateful and honored for the opportunity to serve.”  

In her spare time, Andrea likes to volunteer and facilitate opportunities for community service. She also hosts weekend trips to Tijuana and Mexico’s wine country. “I’m a foodie at heart, and really enjoy showcasing Baja’s hidden gems as a tour guide with my friends,” she said.  

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PSAR's Mission is to empower Realtors to flourish while being accountable to each other our clients and our community.

Since 1928, the Pacific Southwest Association of REALTORS® has played a significant role in shaping the history, growth and development of the Real Estate industry in San Diego County.

Meet Rafael Perez, a resident of Sherman Heights, who was recently elected to a two-year term (2021-2022) on the PSAR Board of Directors.

Rafael moved to San Diego in 1999 to attend San Diego State University. On the Monday after graduating from college in 2004, he started working in real estate as a loan officer.

A past recipient of the PSAR 2017 REALTOR® of the Year award, Rafael’s real estate career has included sales, lending and teaching. He has taught the Real Estate Principles course as an Adjunct Faculty member at Cuyamaca College since Fall 2014.

Rafael previously served on the PSAR board in 2016 and 2017 as an appointee to fill a vacancy. This is his first experience as an elected board member.

In April 2013, Rafael became known as the “Rapping Realtor” (Rafael’s full name is Rafael Alberto Perez, aka R.A.P.). He was an overnight Internet sensation with his rap video about the San Diego real estate market that went viral with more than 176,000 views on YouTube to date.

Titled “Welcome to the 619,” the self-produced YouTube video is a hopeful and amusing bid to get people excited about our area. It’s filled with bad lip-syncing, a cool-looking Rafael, zooms of Google images, MLK Jr. quotes and, of course, American flags. 

Among the lyrics:

The rules of real estate are no longer the same,
Basic fundamentals is the name of the game.
It's not about buy, hold, and flip for rookies,
It's about building a home or positive cash flow.

Featured on the Ellen show in 2017        

The New York Daily News said about Rafael’s video, “Jay-Z can rest easy, he won't be taking your crown anytime soon.” MSN Money’s said “Rapping Real Estate Agents Bust out Good Advice.” The Daily Mail in London said the rapping realtor has made a “cringeworthy music video to encourage people to invest in property again.” AdWeek magazine called Rafael “San Diego’s worst rapper.” Realtor.com said about Rafael, “While some have questioned his rapping skills and whether or not rapping is a good way to attract clients, his passion for real estate is clear.”

“The rap video was a one-time gimmick that got a lot of attention and resulted in some business, but I don’t normally mention it anymore,” said Rafael.

Every so often, Rafael says his rap video catches someone’s attention and draws a few more views. The most recent time was about two years ago when it was featured on the Ellen show in 2017. 

“Ellen was selling one of her homes and she did a segment on her TV show about REALTORS®,” said Rafael. “I always remind people that whatever you post on the Internet will live forever. I’m reminded of this myself when the video occasionally resurfaces.”

“I’ve learned that it’s okay to be goofy and funny and not take yourself too seriously as long as you stick to your message and show your expertise. The video went viral because there’s a solid message to it, which is an important part of leadership.”

Over the course of his life, Perez has consistently raised his hand in response to leadership opportunities and community involvement with PSAR, as well as with the real estate industry and the San Diego community.

As a young man, Rafael had an opportunity to visit Washington D.C. It was during the National Council of La Raza (NCLR) advocacy days when he was able to learn about the political process and how to advocate for legislative priorities. This was in 2009, just weeks after President Obama had taken office and the energy in the Capitol was one of hope and excitement, recalled Rafael. It was during this trip that Perez and the group he was traveling with met with recently appointed Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar. Perez said he was inspired by the possibility of public service during this visit and asked himself “Why not me?”

“Action is what leadership is all about,” Rafael said. “I may not have been elected as a board member in the past, but I have made a conscious decision to step-up, contribute and serve as a leader. You don’t need a title to lead. I recommend to our PSAR members to find something that lines-up with your passions and allows you to give back to our industry. Everybody can do something. Don’t wait to get elected to get involved.”

Rafael serves as a co-facilitator with Jason Lopez at 9 a.m. every Tuesday of “City Pitch,” a property marketing pitch session that Rafael has been co-hosting since it began in March 2017, following the opening of PSAR’s Central San Diego Service Center in San Diego’s Clairemont community. Rafael is best known at City Pitch for his weekly City Update. With the COVID-19 pandemic, the pitch session is currently being held online over the Zoom meeting platform.

Rafael also is chair of PSAR's Government Affairs Committee-Central Area.

Another example of Rafael’s leadership is when he led PSAR’s efforts to obtain a smart-growth grant from the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR), which resulted in PSAR assisting the City of San Diego with its “Companion Unit Handbook”. This is a helpful, 38-page guide to help homeowners better navigate the process of constructing on their own property a companion unit, better known as a granny flat or accessory dwelling unit (ADU).

Rafael said, “From the beginning, we brought a REALTORS’® perspective to the table. We were able to help shape the regulations to benefit homeowners and buyers.” The handbook was published in 2019. City Councilman Scott Sherman said, “PSAR members have direct experience at helping their clients with companion units. So, it made sense to follow their advice.”

Rafael has been a leader working with other NAR grants. He played a key role in securing an NAR grant for a diversity initiative that involved both PSAR and the local chapter of the National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals (NAHREP). Perez is a founding board member of the NAHREP San Diego chapter and served as its President in 2013.

Rafael is a founding member of the NAR Fair Housing Policy Committee, which is reviewing ways to effectively advocate a national fair housing policy. The NAR Committee is involved in promoting NAR’s Fair Housing Action Plan, abbreviated “ACT,” which emphasizes (A)ccountability, (C)ulture Change and (T)raining in order to ensure America’s 1.4 million REALTORS® are focused on promoting fair housing rights.

“Historically, we could have done better as an industry,” said Rafael. “We’re looking at coordinated strategies to fight against discrimination and implement effective fair-housing training requirements that will hold real estate agents accountable to their fair housing obligations.”

Rafael said NAR’s efforts come at a much needed time in light of a three-year investigation by Newsday, a New York newspaper, which uncovered widespread evidence of unequal treatment of homebuyers by real estate agents on Long Island, New York. In one of the most concentrated investigations of discrimination by real estate agents in the half century since enactment of America’s landmark fair housing law, Newsday found evidence of widespread separate and unequal treatment of minority potential homebuyers and minority communities on Long Island.

Rafael also is currently serving as an at-large member on the City of San Diego’s Citizens Equal Opportunity Commission (CEOC). He was appointed to the Commission in 2013.

The CEOC monitors and evaluates the Equal Opportunity Program of the City. It advises and makes recommendations to the Mayor, City Council, Civil Service Commission and other agencies of City government. It assists in the recruitment of competent, historically under-represented, women and disabled employees and promotes the City of San Diego as an Equal Opportunity Employer of individuals and firms desiring to contract with the City.

Rafael, is currently representing District 8 on the CEOC. The commission has been a long time advocate of a disparity study. With persistence by the commission, the City recently approved a disparity study to determine whether companies owned by women or minorities are properly represented in the millions of dollars the city spends each year in contracting. The study is long overdue, said Rafael, because San Diego has historically awarded a very small percentage of city contracts to companies owned by women and minorities. “Our contractors should be a reflection of the city they are doing work in” said Rafael. “When the city spends the public’s tax dollars, all companies in the city should have an equal opportunity to earn city business.”

He also has been involved in several other city of San Diego housing programs, including the city’s density bonus program that allows developers to build more market-rate housing than zoning allows if they voluntarily add low-income homes.

Rafael serving as the California Association of REALTORS’® (C.A.R.) key contact to 80th District Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez, who was elected in May 2013. Gonzalez, one of the most influential and controversial lawmakers in the California Legislature, is known for her Twitter confrontations and recently taking on Silicon Valley’s gig-economy titans. Gonzalez chairs the Latino Legislative Caucus and is the first Latina to chair the Assembly's powerful Appropriations Committee.

Annually, Lorena sponsors a diaper collection drive. Since the drive started during the 2013 holiday season, tens of thousands of diapers have been collected and donated to needy families, as well as The Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank.

According to Rafael, the diaper drive helps parents in need of assistance by addressing their diaper needs. Diapers are expensive-- a month’s supply for one child can cost between $70 and $80, and diapers cannot be purchased with CalFresh benefits or WIC. 

During the past four years, Rafael has loaded his 1951 Chevy with diapers. He estimates the annual diaper collection efforts to be valued in excess of $2,000.

In 2018, Rafael ran for public office for a seat on the San Diego Community College District board of trustees, representing District “E.” He was endorsed by PSAR and others, including: Nora Vargas, trustee, Southwestern College; Association of Raza Educators San Diego; San Diego Free Press; Monique Limon, California State Assembly member, 37th District; Ben Hueso, Senator, California State Senate, 40th District. Perez received a “Qualified Rating” from the San Diego County Democratic Party, an “Acceptable Rating” from the San Diego & Imperial Counties Labor Council, a “100 Percent Rating” from Planned Parenthood of the Pacific Southwest Action Fund and an “Acceptable Rating” from the Martin Luther King, Jr. Democratic Club.

He lost in the primary election by 23 votes of the more than 22,000 votes cast. “I was biting my nails for a month while the votes were being counted. I was actually in the top two for a while on election night. It just goes to show you that every vote actually does count,” he said.

Rafael and his wife reside in Historic Sherman Heights, where Rafael also serves as a board member for the Sherman Heights Community Center.

Of all the activities in which Rafael is involved, he said his most rewarding is being married to his wife and being a daddy to their 13-month old daughter. “I’m really enjoying fatherhood,” he said. “I love being a girl dad. It’s a huge blessing. But, it can be exhausting. I had no idea how tired you can get running after a toddler.”

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Our Mission is to empower Realtors to flourish while being accountable to each other
our clients and our community.

Since 1928, the Pacific Southwest Association of REALTORS® has played a significant role in shaping the history, growth & development of the Real Estate industry in San Diego County. This program is only open to REALTORS® and PSAR Affiliate Members. There is no cost for attending this program.