As a full-time Realtor in San Diego County since 1994, Dennis Smith understands the natural cycles of real estate and helps clients navigate them with confidence and care.
At the age of 19, Dennis nearly purchased his first rental property in Madison, Wisconsin, where he was raised. Soon after, Uncle Sam had other plans and sent him to the 32nd Street Naval Station in San Diego, where he served four years in the U.S. Navy aboard the USS Hamner (DD-718), completing four WestPac tours to Vietnam.
While stationed in San Diego, Dennis quickly realized what a great place it was to live and purchased his first home using a VA loan. Although the term “house hacking” did not exist at the time, that’s exactly what he did by renting out rooms to fellow sailors.
Since then, Dennis has bought and sold multiple residences and investment properties for himself and his family. His passion for real estate comes from firsthand experience with how it can create opportunities for homeowners and investors alike.
Dennis remains very active in the community through involvement with the Lions Club, Assistance League, a local chorale group, bocce, and his church.
Outside of real estate, he enjoys movies, card games, travel, dancing, and dining.
Dennis has earned multiple professional designations to better serve his clients, including ABR (Accredited Buyer’s Representative), SRES (Senior Real Estate Specialist), e-PRO, CDPE (Certified Distressed Property Expert), SFR (Short Sale & Foreclosure), CPE (Certified Probate Expert), and iREP for institutional buyers.
He also specializes in vacation rental sales and analysis and is active in creative finance communities such as Gator and SubTo, all with the goal of providing more solutions to clients.
He is often referred to as a “Unicorn Agent” because of his ability to assist buyers, sellers, and investors with creative financing strategies when they benefit all parties involved. These include lease options, wraparound mortgages, subject-to existing financing, assumptions, seller financing, novation agreements, and other advanced real estate solutions.
Dennis’s investment division, Starfish Housing, invests in and provides mid-term rentals for traveling medical professionals, insurance displacements, corporate travelers, and digital nomads in the Fresno, California area. The company also owns long-term rental properties in Oklahoma, commercial and mixed-use properties in Arkansas, and is currently acquiring a Single Room Occupancy (SRO) property in Tampa, Florida.
Through Starfish Funding, Dennis can assist with a wide range of financing needs, including funding for small to large earnest money deposits, double closings, fix-and-flip projects, hard money loans, and private lending. For individuals with available cash, 401(k), or IRA funds, he also helps structure opportunities for attractive returns through trust deeds, syndications, or joint ventures, depending on individual goals and risk tolerance.
Whether clients are searching for a first home, second home, or investment property, Dennis assists throughout San Diego County and can also connect clients with top real estate agents almost anywhere in the United States or internationally at no additional cost — just ask.
Call or text Dennis Smith at 760-212-8225 today!
Why All The Starfish?
Adapted from “The Star Thrower”
by Loren Eiseley
If you would like more information about the full Starfish Story and its author, contact me at: dennis@sandiegohomes4u.com.
A man was jogging down the beach after a major storm had just come through the area. He was dismayed by the huge number of starfish that the storm had washed up on the beach. He thought that there was nothing he could do because of the immense numbers. As he continued down the beach he saw an old man throw something into the water. As he got closer, he saw the old man walk a little farther down the beach, bend over, pick up a starfish and throw it back into the water. As the jogger approached, the old man stopped again, bent over, picked up another starfish and was about to throw it into the water.
The jogger stopped and asked “Why are you doing that? There are thousands of starfish on the beach. You can’t possibly make a difference.” The old man looked at the starfish, threw it back into the water, then replied, “I made a difference to that one, didn’t I?”
I am here to make a difference for you!
-- Dennis Smith
