Riding the Waves: David Stein on Navigating Real Estate Cycles

In this episode of SF Commercial Property Conversations with Bruce Bean, we sit down with David Stein, a mortgage expert with nearly 25 years in the business. From a chance encounter in a bar that sparked his career to navigating complex real estate cycles and the ups and downs of the market, David shares his powerful story and what it takes to thrive in today's lending environment.

You’ll hear how David transitioned from cold-calling to building a fully referral-based business, how he uses CRM tools like Bonzo, and why personal connections still win over digital ads. We dive deep into the realities of financing — from creative hard money strategies and ADU investments to large-scale condo conversions in La Jolla.

David breaks down how new California legislation is shaping construction timelines, what it really takes to get a deal funded, and why staying “micro” and hyper-focused on skill-building is more important than ever.

If you're in commercial or residential real estate, this episode is packed with practical advice and fresh strategies from someone who’s weathered every market shift since the early 2000s.

 

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