This week on Beyond the Doors, we’re joined by Saad Asad, Political Chair and Communications Lead of the YIMBY Democrats of San Diego County—a grassroots group advocating for more housing and smarter land use in our region. Saad breaks down how YIMBY Dems are pushing for local and state policy changes to address San Diego’s housing crisis, from ADU reform to historic preservation overhauls.

Whether you’re a realtor, developer, or just trying to understand the forces shaping San Diego’s real estate market, this episode offers an inside look at the movement fighting to make housing more accessible—and what that means for the future of our city.

Listen now for expert insights on how these crises are shaping the future of San Diego real estate. Don’t forget to follow and subscribe at OlasMedia.com
AB 253 
YIMBY Dems Website
YIMBY Dems IG
YIMBY Dems Twitter

Here are some key moments:

00:01:39 – Who are the YIMBY Democrats of San Diego County?

00:03:33 – Why middle-income San Diegans are being priced out

00:05:43 – Where are the starter homes?

00:08:32 – AB 1033: A game-changer for homeownership

00:12:38 – Can permitting delays be fixed?

00:15:09 – The utility bottleneck no one talks about

00:17:55 – Why local builders matter

00:19:49 – NIMBY resistance: What’s really holding projects back?

00:26:09 – Recent YIMBY wins in Hillcrest and University City

00:33:01 – What’s a realistic ‘starter home’ price in San Diego today?

00:38:06 – The historic preservation loophole

00:40:47 – How to join the movement

 

 

This week on Beyond the Doors, we&rsquo;re joined by Saad Asad, Political Chair and Communications Lead of the <a href="https://www.instagram.com/yimbydemssd/">YIMBY Democrats</a> of San Diego County&mdash;a grassroots group advocating for more housing and smarter land use in our region. Saad breaks down how <a href="https://yimbydemssd.com/">YIMBY Dems</a> are pushing for local and state policy changes to address San Diego&rsquo;s housing crisis, from ADU reform to historic preservation overhauls.
Whether you&rsquo;re a realtor, developer, or just trying to understand the forces shaping San Diego&rsquo;s real estate market, this episode offers an inside look at the movement fighting to make housing more accessible&mdash;and what that means for the future of our city.
Listen now for expert insights on how these crises are shaping the future of San Diego real estate. Don&rsquo;t forget to follow and subscribe at <a href="https://olasmedia.com/shows/beyond-the-doors">OlasMedia.com</a>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://cayimby.org/legislation/ab-253/" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://cayimby.org/legislation/ab-253/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1742627901908000&amp;usg=AOvVaw2WgtidS3kqRwO7-YWGX3bh" data-removefontsize="true" data-originalcomputedfontsize="16">AB 253 </a></li>
<li><a href="https://yimbydemssd.com/" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://yimbydemssd.com/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1742627901908000&amp;usg=AOvVaw0M67q-UuSsrQPz0Gw_uLCe" data-removefontsize="true" data-originalcomputedfontsize="16">YIMBY Dems Website</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.instagram.com/yimbydemssd/" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.instagram.com/yimbydemssd/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1742627901908000&amp;usg=AOvVaw1Pk9TDNPMjudHuEhIERRyh" data-removefontsize="true" data-originalcomputedfontsize="16">YIMBY Dems IG</a></li>
<li><a href="https://x.com/YIMBYDemsSD" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://x.com/YIMBYDemsSD&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1742627901908000&amp;usg=AOvVaw0H01OUfsZ4yBNmkXDpGuAz" data-removefontsize="true" data-originalcomputedfontsize="16">YIMBY Dems Twitter</a></li>
</ul>
Here are some key moments:
00:01:39 &ndash; Who are the YIMBY Democrats of San Diego County?
00:03:33 &ndash; Why middle-income San Diegans are being priced out
00:05:43 &ndash; Where are the starter homes?
00:08:32 &ndash; AB 1033: A game-changer for homeownership
00:12:38 &ndash; Can permitting delays be fixed?
00:15:09 &ndash; The utility bottleneck no one talks about
00:17:55 &ndash; Why local builders matter
00:19:49 &ndash; NIMBY resistance: What&rsquo;s really holding projects back?
00:26:09 &ndash; Recent YIMBY wins in Hillcrest and University City
00:33:01 &ndash; What&rsquo;s a realistic &lsquo;starter home&rsquo; price in San Diego today?
00:38:06 &ndash; The historic preservation loophole
00:40:47 &ndash; How to join the movement
&nbsp;
&nbsp;

 Yes In My Backyard! Rethinking Housing with YIMBY Dems | Saad Asad

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/d57f2f8a-7bab-4064-9571-ae7c0139f8ec/clips/9936e3ce-5a99-4ec7-917f-b2ac012e7e7a/transcript

Two events far from San Diego’s borders are expected to have an impact on our city and our region. The LA Fires obviously weren’t too far from home and while San Diego dodged a bullet as Santa Ana-wind fueled firestorms ravaged  Los Angeles, we should definitely expect to see some changes in the San Diego real estate market as a result of the fires. Same goes for the election of Donald Trump. His presidency will influence local real estate in numerous ways. Tune into this episode of Beyond the Doors to learn more from our hosts, Daniel Shkolnik, CEO of Atlas West Group, and Nathan Abbo of Coldwell Banker. 

Listen now for expert insights on how these crises are shaping the future of San Diego real estate. Don’t forget to follow and subscribe at OlasMedia.com

The key moments in this episode are:
00:03:47 - Impact of LA Fires on Real Estate 
00:06:01 - Challenges of Rebuilding After Fires 
00:10:09 - Impact on Orange County and San Diego Real Estate 
00:10:43 - Impact of Wildfires on Housing Market 
00:11:59 - Growth Opportunities in Emerging Cities 
00:13:21 - Nationwide Impact of Natural Disasters 
00:14:39 - Government Response and Economic Impact 
00:20:18 - The New Administration's Policies and Real Estate 
00:23:19 - Impact of Government Job Cuts on Interest Rates 
00:25:06 - Effects of Interest Rates on Real Estate and Economy 
00:26:33 - Impact of Interest Rates on Homeownership 
00:27:35 - Tax Laws and Real Estate Investment 
00:30:39 - Optimism about Fiscal Policy and Economic Impact

Two events far from San Diego&rsquo;s borders are expected to have an impact on our city and our region. The LA Fires obviously weren&rsquo;t too far from home and while San Diego dodged a bullet as Santa Ana-wind fueled firestorms ravaged&nbsp; Los Angeles, we should definitely expect to see some changes in the San Diego real estate market as a result of the fires. Same goes for the election of Donald Trump. His presidency will influence local real estate in numerous ways. Tune into this episode of Beyond the Doors to learn more from our hosts, Daniel Shkolnik, CEO of Atlas West Group, and Nathan Abbo of Coldwell Banker.&nbsp;
Listen now for expert insights on how these crises are shaping the future of San Diego real estate. Don&rsquo;t forget to follow and subscribe at <a href="https://olasmedia.com/shows/beyond-the-doors">OlasMedia.com</a>
The key moments in this episode are: 00:03:47 - Impact of LA Fires on Real Estate 00:06:01 - Challenges of Rebuilding After Fires 00:10:09 - Impact on Orange County and San Diego Real Estate 00:10:43 - Impact of Wildfires on Housing Market 00:11:59 - Growth Opportunities in Emerging Cities 00:13:21 - Nationwide Impact of Natural Disasters 00:14:39 - Government Response and Economic Impact 00:20:18 - The New Administration's Policies and Real Estate 00:23:19 - Impact of Government Job Cuts on Interest Rates 00:25:06 - Effects of Interest Rates on Real Estate and Economy 00:26:33 - Impact of Interest Rates on Homeownership 00:27:35 - Tax Laws and Real Estate Investment 00:30:39 - Optimism about Fiscal Policy and Economic Impact

The Impacts of the LA Fires and Trump on San Diego Real Estate

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/d57f2f8a-7bab-4064-9571-ae7c0139f8ec/clips/6c626dc5-9f82-4d9c-b841-b27a01231cb6/transcript

Doug Austin, FAIA, LEED AP, is founder, CEO, and Chairman of AVRP Studios, a design firm with offices in San Diego and Vancouver. Doug is a respected architect, land-use leader, and policy influencer. A former planning commissioner for the City of San Diego, Doug serves as Chair of the Advisory Board for YIGBY (Yes in God’s Backyard) San Diego. He also is a member of the President’s Council of Advisors at Cal Poly SLO, where he received his B.ARCH. 

Doug and his teams have designed more than $3 billion in projects over his career in multiple cities across multiple continents.

On this episode of Beyond the Doors, co-host Daniel Shkolnik and Doug enjoy a lively conversation that explores Doug’s successful design career; the firm Doug founded in 1976 out of his home which is now one of the largest design shops in San Diego; Doug’s approach to design; San Diego’s housing crisis; and much more.

Follow and subscribe at OlasMedia.com to stay updated!

The key moments in this episode are:

00:00:00 - Welcome and Meet Doug Austin

00:02:00 - Doug’s Journey: Architect to Citizen Architect

00:05:00 - Learn by Doing: Early Career Challenges

00:10:00 - Affordable Housing: Creative Solutions for San Diego

00:15:00 - San Diego’s Urban Evolution

00:20:00 - Overcoming Zoning Challenges

00:30:00 - Balancing Growth and Sustainability

00:35:00 - A Vision for San Diego’s Future

<a href="https://www.avrpstudios.com/doug-austin.html#:~:text=Doug%20Austin%2C%20FAIA%2C%20LEED%20AP,projects%20both%20domestically%20and%20internationally.">Doug Austin, FAIA, LEED AP,</a> is founder, CEO, and Chairman of <a href="https://www.avrpstudios.com">AVRP Studios</a>, a design firm with offices in San Diego and Vancouver. Doug is a respected architect, land-use leader, and policy influencer. A former planning commissioner for the City of San Diego, Doug serves as Chair of the Advisory Board for YIGBY (Yes in God&rsquo;s Backyard) San Diego. He also is a member of the President&rsquo;s Council of Advisors at Cal Poly SLO, where he received his B.ARCH.&nbsp;
Doug and his teams have designed more than $3 billion in projects over his career in multiple cities across multiple continents.
On this episode of Beyond the Doors, co-host Daniel Shkolnik and Doug enjoy a lively conversation that explores Doug&rsquo;s successful design career; the firm Doug founded in 1976 out of his home which is now one of the largest design shops in San Diego; Doug&rsquo;s approach to design; San Diego&rsquo;s housing crisis; and much more.
Follow and subscribe at <a href="https://olasmedia.com/shows/20-doors">OlasMedia.com</a> to stay updated!
The key moments in this episode are:
00:00:00 - Welcome and Meet Doug Austin
00:02:00 - Doug&rsquo;s Journey: Architect to Citizen Architect
00:05:00 - Learn by Doing: Early Career Challenges
00:10:00 - Affordable Housing: Creative Solutions for San Diego
00:15:00 - San Diego&rsquo;s Urban Evolution
00:20:00 - Overcoming Zoning Challenges
00:30:00 - Balancing Growth and Sustainability
00:35:00 - A Vision for San Diego&rsquo;s Future

Revered Architect Doug Austin Talks Design, Housing, and More

Gary London is your go-to expert in real estate! With decades of experience at London Moeder Associates, he's the master key to unlocking success in San Diego's housing market. From guiding developers to securing investments, Gary's insights keep your property game strong. Want the latest on SD housing trends? 

Gary's unwavering commitment to unraveling the intricate dynamics of the real estate market, coupled with his astute understanding of industry trends, positions him as a revered authority in the field. His seasoned expertise is poised to offer valuable perspectives on the implications of rate cuts on the real estate sector.

Follow and subscribe at OlasMedia.com to stay updated!

The key moments in this episode are:
00:00:36 - Introducing Gary London 
00:02:26 - What Drives Gary London 
00:04:49 - Impact of Fed Rate Cut 
00:08:12 - Banking Policy and Market Dynamics 
00:11:07 - Real Estate Market Outlook 
00:14:01 - Real Estate Market Imbalance 
00:15:28 - San Diego's Growth Challenges 
00:17:04 - San Diego's Diversified Economy 
00:19:13 - Infill Development Challenges 
00:27:46 - Reconception of Seaport Village 
00:28:35 - Development Projects in San Diego 
00:32:24 - Housing Policy in San Diego 
00:36:30 - Neighborhood Revitalization 
00:38:29 - Small-scale Projects 
00:39:50 - Urban Transformation of San Diego

<a href="https://londonmoeder.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Bio-Gary-London.pdf">Gary London</a> is your go-to expert in real estate! With decades of experience at London Moeder Associates, he's the master key to unlocking success in San Diego's housing market. From guiding developers to securing investments, Gary's insights keep your property game strong. Want the latest on SD housing trends? 
Gary's unwavering commitment to unraveling the intricate dynamics of the real estate market, coupled with his astute understanding of industry trends, positions him as a revered authority in the field. His seasoned expertise is poised to offer valuable perspectives on the implications of rate cuts on the real estate sector.
Follow and subscribe at <a href="https://olasmedia.com/shows/20-doors">OlasMedia.com</a> to stay updated!
The key moments in this episode are: 00:00:36 - Introducing Gary London 00:02:26 - What Drives Gary London 00:04:49 - Impact of Fed Rate Cut 00:08:12 - Banking Policy and Market Dynamics 00:11:07 - Real Estate Market Outlook 00:14:01 - Real Estate Market Imbalance 00:15:28 - San Diego's Growth Challenges 00:17:04 - San Diego's Diversified Economy 00:19:13 - Infill Development Challenges 00:27:46 - Reconception of Seaport Village 00:28:35 - Development Projects in San Diego 00:32:24 - Housing Policy in San Diego 00:36:30 - Neighborhood Revitalization 00:38:29 - Small-scale Projects 00:39:50 - Urban Transformation of San Diego

Gary London : Solutions for San Diego's Missing Middle Crisis

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/d57f2f8a-7bab-4064-9571-ae7c0139f8ec/clips/d663bc4d-2995-4b3a-b43e-b2040168c5be/transcript

In this episode of Beyond Doors, Nate Abbo and Daniel Skolnick are joined by Ricardo Flores, Executive Director of LISC San Diego, for a dynamic conversation on the future of affordable housing. Ricardo unpacks the complicated world of zoning laws and reveals how innovative policies can make homeownership more accessible for San Diegans. From groundbreaking legislation to the challenges of land development, this episode offers a behind-the-scenes look at the solutions that could reshape the city’s housing landscape. Tune in to discover how these changes could impact you and the future of San Diego's communities!

Follow and subscribe at OlasMedia.com to stay updated!

The key moments in this episode are:

00:00:00 Introduction: Nate, Daniel, and Ricardo
00:02:10 Ricardo's Path to Housing and Policy
00:05:13 Zoning Laws and Their Impact on Housing
00:07:16 The History and Consequences of Single-Family Zoning
00:10:07 Affordable Housing Solutions: Ricardo’s Vision
00:12:41 Homeownership in San Diego: A New Initiative
00:16:13 How Policy Shapes Housing Affordability
00:19:22 Subdividing Land for Affordable Housing
00:23:07 The Role of Zoning in San Diego’s Housing Market
00:27:40 Future Zoning Policies and State Legislation
00:30:05 Key Housing Policies: ADUs and SB 10
00:34:19 Final Thoughts 

In this episode of Beyond Doors, Nate Abbo and Daniel Skolnick are joined by <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/ricardo-flores-420766/">Ricardo Flores</a>, Executive Director of LISC San Diego, for a dynamic conversation on the future of affordable housing. Ricardo unpacks the complicated world of zoning laws and reveals how innovative policies can make homeownership more accessible for San Diegans. From groundbreaking legislation to the challenges of land development, this episode offers a behind-the-scenes look at the solutions that could reshape the city’s housing landscape. Tune in to discover how these changes could impact you and the future of San Diego's communities!
Follow and subscribe at <a href="https://olasmedia.com/shows/20-doors">OlasMedia.com</a> to stay updated!
The key moments in this episode are:
00:00:00 Introduction: Nate, Daniel, and Ricardo 00:02:10 Ricardo's Path to Housing and Policy 00:05:13 Zoning Laws and Their Impact on Housing 00:07:16 The History and Consequences of Single-Family Zoning 00:10:07 Affordable Housing Solutions: Ricardo’s Vision 00:12:41 Homeownership in San Diego: A New Initiative 00:16:13 How Policy Shapes Housing Affordability 00:19:22 Subdividing Land for Affordable Housing 00:23:07 The Role of Zoning in San Diego’s Housing Market 00:27:40 Future Zoning Policies and State Legislation 00:30:05 Key Housing Policies: ADUs and SB 10 00:34:19 Final Thoughts

Ricardo Flores: The Future of Affordable Homeownership

In this episode, Nathan interviews Paul Batta from Batta Fulkerson, a Personal Injury Law Firm in San Diego, who has been well known because of its participation in charitable organizations, supporting, and volunteering in community events. Paul shares with us about his investing journey and how he got into a very important investment, a life-changing commercial deal. stay tuned!

In this episode, Nathan interviews Paul Batta from <a href="https://battafulkerson.com/">Batta Fulkerson,</a> a Personal Injury Law Firm in San Diego, who has been well known because of its participation in charitable organizations, supporting, and volunteering in community events. Paul shares with us about his investing journey and how he got into a very important investment, a life-changing commercial deal. stay tuned!

Climbing the real estate ladder from a property to the big kahuna | Paul Batta

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/d57f2f8a-7bab-4064-9571-ae7c0139f8ec/clips/3e21891f-0707-476a-97fc-af650165e6d7/transcript

Nathan, along with guest Chad Peace of OLAS IVC, discuss the importance of understanding markets and how it translated to prevent a huge loss in a recent real estate deal between the two and the value of buying early in life.

Nathan, along with guest Chad Peace of OLAS IVC, discuss the importance of understanding markets and how it translated to prevent a huge loss in a recent real estate deal between the two and the value of buying early in life.

Buying early in life | Chad Peace

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/d57f2f8a-7bab-4064-9571-ae7c0139f8ec/clips/7bb59c1d-5b7c-4dc1-96b6-af39015e1068/transcript

Meet Nathan Abbo host of 20 Doors Podcast, a Real Estate Agent licensed in 2005. Since then he has turned into the top tier of Realtors in San Diego. He provides information that other agents won’t particularly offer, or know through sharing personal experiences, and advice. Are you ready to count your doors?

Meet <a href="https://www.realtor.com/realestateagents/56cce0127e54f7010023c853">Nathan Abbo</a> host of 20 Doors Podcast, a Real Estate Agent licensed in 2005. Since then he has turned into the top tier of Realtors in San Diego. He provides information that other agents won’t particularly offer, or know through sharing personal experiences, and advice. Are you ready to count your doors?

Meet The Host | Nate Abbo

San Diego real estate agent Nathan Abbo and San Diego multi-family developer Daniel Shkolnik bring decades of experience to Beyond the Doors, a podcast that gives listeners behind-the-scenes info about housing politics and policy, deals, trends, and more. Nathan, a native to East County San Diego, has been working in real estate his entire professional career. Licensed in 2005, Nathan has closed hundreds of transactions. Daniel owns and operates Atlas West Group, a multi-family development platform launched 4 years ago in San Diego. Prior to that, Daniel successfully operated a real estate investment business for 15 years. Atlas West Group is one the first to build deed-restricted units without public subsidy in Southern California, and the first to take advantage of the City of San Diego’s ADU Bonus Program. Nathan and Daniel, and their guests, dish on what’s working, what isn’t, where the markets are headed, and more. These guys are experts, but they don’t sound like stuffy suits. They break things down for their listeners. They discuss what investors want, what brokers are seeking, what renters desire, what landlords need to do to survive, where interest rates are headed, the art of the deal, and more. Their show is lively, fun, honest, and informative – a must-listen for people in the land-use, housing, and real estate arena.

San Diego real estate agent Nathan Abbo and San Diego multi-family developer Daniel Shkolnik bring decades of experience to Beyond the Doors, a podcast that gives listeners behind-the-scenes info about housing politics and policy, deals, trends, and more. Nathan, a native to East County San Diego, has been working in real estate his entire professional career. Licensed in 2005, Nathan has closed hundreds of transactions. Daniel owns and operates Atlas West Group, a multi-family development platform launched 4 years ago in San Diego. Prior to that, Daniel successfully operated a real estate investment business for 15 years. Atlas West Group is one the first to build deed-restricted units without public subsidy in Southern California, and the first to take advantage of the City of San Diego’s ADU Bonus Program. Nathan and Daniel, and their guests, dish on what’s working, what isn’t, where the markets are headed, and more. These guys are experts, but they don’t sound like stuffy suits. They break things down for their listeners. They discuss what investors want, what brokers are seeking, what renters desire, what landlords need to do to survive, where interest rates are headed, the art of the deal, and more. Their show is lively, fun, honest, and informative – a must-listen for people in the land-use, housing, and real estate arena.

Beyond the Doors

San Diego real estate agent Nathan Abbo and San Diego multi-family developer Daniel Shkolnik bring decades of experience to Beyond the Doors, a podcast that gives listeners behind-the-scenes info about housing politics and policy, deals, trends, and more. Nathan, a native to East County San Diego, has been working in real estate his entire professional career. Licensed in 2005, Nathan has closed hundreds of transactions. Daniel owns and operates Atlas West Group, a multi-family development platform launched 4 years ago in San Diego. Prior to that, Daniel successfully operated a real estate investment business for 15 years. Atlas West Group is one the first to build deed-restricted units without public subsidy in Southern California, and the first to take advantage of the City of San Diego’s ADU Bonus Program.

Nathan and Daniel, and their guests, dish on what’s working, what isn’t, where the markets are headed, and more. These guys are experts, but they don’t sound like stuffy suits. They break things down for their listeners. They discuss what investors want, what brokers are seeking, what renters desire, what landlords need to do to survive, where interest rates are headed, the art of the deal, and more. Their show is lively, fun, honest, and informative – a must-listen for people in the land-use, housing, and real estate arena.

San Diego real estate agent Nathan Abbo and San Diego multi-family developer Daniel Shkolnik bring decades of experience to Beyond the Doors, a podcast that gives listeners behind-the-scenes info about housing politics and policy, deals, trends, and more. Nathan, a native to East County San Diego, has been working in real estate his entire professional career. Licensed in 2005, Nathan has closed hundreds of transactions. Daniel owns and operates <a href="https://www.atlaswestgroup.com/" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.atlaswestgroup.com/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1721840797415000&amp;usg=AOvVaw0gvPdRACZ3dWgE5INWaiQ-">Atlas West Group,</a> a multi-family development platform launched 4 years ago in San Diego. Prior to that, Daniel successfully operated a real estate investment business for 15 years. Atlas West Group is one the first to build deed-restricted units without public subsidy in Southern California, and the first to take advantage of the City of San Diego’s ADU Bonus Program.
Nathan and Daniel, and their guests, dish on what’s working, what isn’t, where the markets are headed, and more. These guys are experts, but they don’t sound like stuffy suits. They break things down for their listeners. They discuss what investors want, what brokers are seeking, what renters desire, what landlords need to do to survive, where interest rates are headed, the art of the deal, and more. Their show is lively, fun, honest, and informative – a must-listen for people in the land-use, housing, and real estate arena.

Beyond The Doors

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