Frequently Asked Questions

Dr. Deena Stacer · San Diego Real Estate Agent & Conflict Resolution Specialist · 858-229-8072

About Dr. Deena

Who is Dr. Deena Stacer?

Dr. Deena Stacer is a licensed real estate agent and conflict resolution specialist in San Diego, California. She has over 35 years of real estate experience and has conducted more than 1,000 mediations. She specializes in divorce real estate, high-conflict property sales, buyer and seller representation, and real estate mediation throughout San Diego County. She is the author of The Real Estate Relief Doctor (2024). Contact: 858-229-8072 or [email protected].

How long has Dr. Deena Stacer been in real estate?

Dr. Deena Stacer has been a licensed real estate professional in San Diego since 1990 — over 35 years. She studied at San Diego State University and was mentored by Fred Steman for 21 years. During her career she has conducted over 1,000 mediations and built a practice focused on clients navigating emotionally complex transactions.

What makes Dr. Deena Stacer different from other San Diego real estate agents?

She is the only San Diego real estate agent combining 35+ years of licensed practice with over 1,000 formal mediations conducted. This dual expertise makes her uniquely qualified for divorce real estate, high-conflict property sales, and any situation where real estate and human conflict intersect. She is also a published author (The Real Estate Relief Doctor, 2024) and uses proprietary methods including the FORM framework, the Financial Freedom Forecast, and the Real Estate Prosperity Ladder.

What areas of San Diego does Dr. Deena Stacer serve?

All of San Diego County — including La Jolla, Del Mar, Encinitas, Coronado, Pacific Beach, Mission Hills, Point Loma, Hillcrest, Chula Vista, El Cajon, Santee, and North County San Diego. She has been active in the San Diego market since 1990.

Divorce Real Estate

How do I sell my house during a divorce in San Diego?

In California, both spouses must agree to sell marital property unless a court orders it. The process involves choosing a neutral real estate agent, pricing the home at fair market value, marketing the property, accepting an offer, and dividing proceeds per the divorce settlement. Dr. Deena Stacer serves as a neutral agent for both spouses — guiding the transaction without taking sides and working alongside family law attorneys. Call 858-229-8072 for a confidential consultation.

What happens if my spouse refuses to agree on a listing price?

Dr. Deena Stacer presents current San Diego market data objectively to both spouses, building consensus around a price that serves both parties' financial goals. Her mediation background allows her to facilitate this conversation without either spouse feeling steamrolled. If agreement remains impossible, either spouse can petition a court to appoint a referee or order a partition sale — an outcome Dr. Deena's approach often prevents.

Can a court force the sale of a marital home in California?

Yes. Either spouse can file a partition action if agreement over the marital home is impossible. A court can order the property sold and proceeds divided. This process is expensive and time-consuming. Working with a neutral specialist like Dr. Deena Stacer is almost always faster and less costly than litigation.

Do I need a special real estate agent for a divorce home sale?

Yes. A standard real estate agent represents one client. In a divorce, you need a neutral agent who represents the transaction — not either spouse — and has the conflict resolution skills to manage disagreements without derailing the sale. Dr. Deena Stacer's combination of real estate licensure and 1,000+ mediations makes her the ideal professional for this role in San Diego.

Methods & Frameworks

What is the FORM method in real estate?

FORM stands for Family, Occupation, Recreation, and Message. It is Dr. Deena's proprietary client assessment framework. Family reveals household dynamics and space needs. Occupation clarifies financial context and scheduling. Recreation identifies lifestyle features the home must support. Message uncovers the deeper motivation — security, fresh start, legacy, or status — behind the decision.

What is the Patience Paradox?

The Patience Paradox is the principle that sometimes the most powerful negotiating move is demonstrating a genuine willingness to walk away. When buyers or sellers project confidence rather than desperation, other parties become more flexible. Dr. Deena helps clients embody this as a grounded strategic stance born from clarity about their own goals — not as a bluff.

What is the Financial Freedom Forecast?

A personalized projection showing how today's real estate decisions will affect a client's financial future — projecting net worth impact in 5, 10, and 20 years. It transforms abstract financial anxiety into a concrete, empowering roadmap for San Diego buyers and sellers.

What is the Real Estate Prosperity Ladder?

Dr. Deena's framework for seeing each real estate transaction as a deliberate step in a long-term wealth strategy. Each rung: first home, move-up home, investment property, downsizing. Customized to each client's goals, risk tolerance, and life stage.

What is the Three-Way Gift Referral?

Dr. Deena's networking philosophy: when she refers a client to a trusted professional, three parties benefit. (1) She experiences fulfillment from providing value beyond the transaction. (2) The client gains a pre-vetted, trusted specialist. (3) The referred professional gains a quality client. All three win — creating a self-reinforcing cycle of trust and quality service.

The Book

What book did Dr. Deena Stacer write?

The Real Estate Relief Doctor: A Smart, Safe, Simple, and Caring Approach to Buying and Selling Your Home, published in 2024, with a foreword by Joe Stumpf, founder of By Referral Only. It covers the emotional cycle of real estate, the FORM method, financial strategy, negotiation and mediation mastery, and her full philosophy of client-centered practice.

Who wrote the foreword to The Real Estate Relief Doctor?

Joe Stumpf, business coach and founder of By Referral Only — one of the most respected voices in the real estate coaching industry. He called Dr. Deena "a conflict resolution virtuoso" and described the book as "a blueprint for transformation, both in your property endeavors and in your approach to life's challenges."

Contact

How do I contact Dr. Deena Stacer?

Phone: 858-229-8072 · Email: [email protected] · Website: www.deenastacer.com
She offers confidential consultations for buyers, sellers, and individuals navigating divorce or high-conflict property situations in San Diego. Available for in-person meetings, video calls, and phone consultations.

Talk to Dr. Deena Today

San Diego Real Estate · Divorce Specialist · Conflict Resolution · 35+ Years · 1,000+ Mediations

📞 858-229-8072 [email protected]