Although not a true “San Diego Native,” Denise E Matthis has been a resident of San Diego since the age of 2. Denise is the Owner/Broker of DEM Financial Services & Real Estate, a boutique brokerage dedicated to promoting community pride through home ownership and building & preserving generational wealth with real estate. As a buyer’s representative she is passionate and works with first time home buyers and veterans educating them on the home buying process and works with investors. As a seller’s representative she specializes in seniors, probate, and distressed property sales.

As a real estate professional Denise has earned the designation of SRES (Seniors Real Estate Specialist), CRS (Certified Residential Specialist), a designation awarded to less than 5% of Real Estate Professionals in the United States, ABR (Accredited Buyers Representative), MRP (Military Relocation Specialist), CMPS (Certified Mortgage Planning Specialist), SFR (Short Sale & Foreclosure Resource), Certified HAFA Consultant, CNE (Certified Negotiation Expert), CDPE (Certified Distressed Property Expert), and has earned Certified REO and Short Sale Designations from NAR (National Association of REALTOR®), Five Star Institute, LIONGATE Financial Network,Dawson Management, and VRM University. She received her certification as a Certified Probate Real Estate Specialist, the Master Certification from The Five Star Academy (REO) and was certified as a Real Estate Investment Planning Specialist from The National Commercial Real Estate Association (NCREA).

Denise manages, trains, and supports a team of over 10 professionals dedicated to promoting“Democracy in Housing” and creating wealth thru homeownership.

For over fourteen years Denise has earned recognition as a 5 Star Agent, an honor given to less than 7% of agents in one market. She also has been recognized by her local Association of REALTORS® for her educational accomplishments/real estate designations and is a silver award winner for her real estate production. She was awarded Volunteer REALTOR® of the Year by SDAR (San Diego Association of REALTOR®) and received the“Distinguished Woman of Color” Award from the NAACP.

Denise is active on her local REALTOR® Association Board, having served on the Board of Directors, Government Affairs, Housing Opportunity, and REALTOR® Political Action Committee. Denise serves on the California Association of REALTORS (C.A.R.) as a director while serving on their Professional Standards, Fair Housing & Policy, and Diversity Committees. Denise is the Past President of theSan Diego Network of Women’s Council of REALTORS® and served as the President of the National Association of Real Estate Brokers, San Diego Chapter from 2014 thru 2017. She served as the Regional Vice President and Second Vice President of California Association of Real Estate Brokers (CAREB) and served as the President from October 2020 to October 2022.

Denise is currently serving her industry as the President for CAREB REALTIST Foundation, Treasurer Elect and Housing Opportunity Chair for the Greater San Diego Association of REALTORS®, Parliamentarian for the Women’s Council of REALTORS®, California. She serves as a Director for the California Association of REALTORS® (C.A.R.) and the California Association of Black Real Estate Professionals (CABREP). She also serves as Past President Advisor for the Women’s Council of REALTORS®, San Diego, National Association of Real Estate Brokers, San Diego, and the California Association of Real Estate Brokers.

Denise is single by choice. She is exceptionally proud of her two nephews, two nieces, two God daughters and the numerous children that have “adopted” her and considers her a “surrogate” mother/grandmother. In her spare time, Denise loves to read, travel and shop, and is not ashamed to admit she does not cook (not that she cannot cook but chooses not to cook).