Choosing a Real Estate Agent in National City, CA
By Matthew Martinez
National City is a South Bay San Diego County city of about 58,000 people between San Diego and Chula Vista, with Naval Base San Diego along its bayfront and the Trolley’s Blue Line running through it. Older Westside homes, Navy and industrial edges and a mostly renter population shape what buyers find here, so the agent you hire should know which plan area, coastal rules and tax-roll charges apply to a specific address.
This guide is published by Diamond Real Estate Group, one of the brokerages listed. Our broker is listed first; other agents are in alphabetical order. The order is not a ranking, and inclusion is not an endorsement.
How to use this agent guide
Start with the property questions below, then compare the publisher and five regional candidates. Public profiles and licensing records answer different questions: a license establishes regulatory status, while a profile describes claimed service areas. Neither establishes local sales experience, quality of service or suitability for your transaction. Some candidates name neighboring communities or the county rather than National City itself; the profile evidence is shown explicitly. Interview more than one agent and ask for recent, relevant examples.
National City housing in numbers
| Census measure | National City |
|---|---|
| Population (July 1, 2025 estimate) | 57,807 |
| Owner-occupied housing unit rate (2020–2024) | 34.7% |
| Median value of owner-occupied homes (2020–2024) | $612,200 |
| Median gross rent (2020–2024) | $1,692 |
| Median household income (2020–2024, 2024 dollars) | $66,841 |
| Mean travel time to work (2020–2024) | 25.4 minutes |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts, National City city, California.
Only about a third of National City homes are owner-occupied, the lowest share among the cities in this series. These are five-year survey figures, not current sale prices. Ask an agent for recent sales of the same property type, whether an older cottage, a duplex or a newer condo.
National City settings: the Westside, the coastal edge and newer projects
The city’s Westside Specific Plan covers the older neighborhood, also called Old Town, between I-5 and Roosevelt Avenue from W. Plaza Boulevard to W. 24th Street, where early homes sit near land opened to industry. A Coastal Commission staff report describes the city’s Coastal Zone as mostly west of I-5, with the bayfront under the Port District and the military.
The city keeps a list of historic sites eligible for Mills Act contracts, including Brick Row on A Avenue. Water comes from Sweetwater Authority per the San Diego LAFCO directory, and the MTS Blue Line runs through the city. For more, see our National City real estate guide.
Costs and rules specific to a National City purchase
- Transfer tax. The San Diego County Recorder collects documentary transfer tax at $0.55 per $500 of value ($1.10 per $1,000), about $660 on a $600,000 sale. We did not find a separate National City rate on an official source, so confirm with escrow. Our California transfer tax guide explains who usually pays.
- Sewer charges on the tax bill. The city’s FY 2026-27 sewer tax roll report explains that sewer service charges are collected on the property tax roll at flat residential rates.
- Historic homes and the Mills Act. Listed historic structures are eligible for a Mills Act contract, which can lower property taxes in exchange for preservation work.
- ADUs. The city permits ADUs and junior ADUs under its ADU rules; ask for permits on any existing unit.
- Rental property. We did not confirm a local rent ordinance from an official city source. State law, including AB 1482, may apply; see our AB 1482 guide.
- Hazards and special taxes. Check flood status on the FEMA Flood Map Service Center. Sellers must make a good-faith effort to provide a special tax notice under Civil Code section 1102.6b.
Agent profiles to compare for a National City transaction
Matthew Martinez, Diamond Real Estate Group (publisher)
Matthew Martinez is the Founder, CEO and Managing Broker of Diamond Real Estate Group, based in Sonoma County. Contact him to discuss representation for your specific property and location. Contact Matthew · Broker #01869679 · Diamond Group Estates Inc #02163490.
Five regional interview candidates
These profiles are drawn from the local and broader county research. The final column records the location evidence in each public profile; a nearby town or county reference does not establish completed transactions in National City. Ask each candidate to demonstrate relevant experience before hiring them. This is an interview starting point, not a ranking or a claim that every agent specializes in this community.
| Agent / public profile | Brokerage as described by the profile | DRE record | Geographic evidence in the source profile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mike Campbell | Coldwell Banker Realty, La Mesa office | Salesperson #01717222 | National City, Chula Vista, Bonita, Paradise Hills, Imperial Beach, Otay Mesa |
| Tony Dulawan | Coldwell Banker Realty, La Mesa office | Salesperson #00644438 | National City, Chula Vista, Imperial Beach, Spring Valley, La Mesa |
| Deborah Reed | Coldwell Banker Realty, San Diego Metro / Mission Valley office | Broker #00978185 | National City, San Diego, Chula Vista, La Mesa, El Cajon |
| J.C. Agajanian | eXp Realty of California, Inc. (Whissel Realty team) | Broker #01397607 | San Diego, Point Loma, Sunset Cliffs |
| Josh Brown | eXp Realty of California, Inc. (Whissel Realty team) | Salesperson #01511269 | La Mesa, East County |
For a wider comparison, read the county agent guide. Verify current license status and brokerage affiliation on the linked DRE record, and agree on representation terms in writing.
How to vet a National City agent
- Ask whether the home is in the Westside Specific Plan area. A good agent should check the land use designation of the parcel and its neighbors.
- Ask about the Coastal Zone west of I-5. Additions and new units there may need coastal review.
- For an older home, ask about historic status. A listed home may qualify for a Mills Act contract and may have rehabilitation standards.
- Ask for the full tax bill. Sewer charges and any special assessments appear on the roll.
- For a duplex or rental, ask about tenants and permits. Confirm unit permits and which state tenant rules apply.
- Verify the license yourself. Look up the agent on the DRE site and confirm the brokerage matches what they tell you.
National City questions we hear
Does National City have its own transfer tax?
We did not find a National City transfer tax on an official source. The San Diego County Recorder collects the county tax at $0.55 per $500 and collects any city tax as well. Ask escrow to confirm the total.
Is National City in the Coastal Zone?
Part of it. A Coastal Commission staff report describes the zone as mostly west of I-5, plus a small area east of I-5 between 30th Street and C Street.
Why is there a sewer charge on my National City tax bill?
The city collects sewer service charges on the property tax roll, split across the two installments, per its sewer tax roll report.
Are there historic homes in National City?
Yes. The city’s historic preservation page lists identified historic sites, which are eligible for Mills Act contracts.
Should I interview more than one National City agent?
Yes. Interview at least two or three, ask each for recent sales of the same property type nearby, and compare how they explain plan area, coastal and tax bill questions for the address.
Sources & notes
- California DRE public license lookup (individual records linked in the table)
- U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: National City city, California (V2025 population estimate; 2020–2024 ACS figures)
- Coldwell Banker Realty agent profiles (La Mesa and San Diego Metro / Mission Valley offices), linked in the table
- City of National City: Westside Specific Plan · historic preservation and Mills Act · ADUs · sewer tax roll report
- California Coastal Commission staff report on National City LCP amendment (August 2024)
- San Diego LAFCO directory · MTS Trolley
- San Diego County Assessor/Recorder/County Clerk: recording and transfer tax
- FEMA Flood Map Service Center
- California Civil Code section 1102.6b (Justia)
- License records checked October 2026 on the California DRE public lookup. Last reviewed October 2026 by Matthew Martinez.
Related: National City real estate guide · National City home valuation · San Diego County agents guide · 20 tips for choosing a real estate agent
License-status update: the linked California DRE public records were checked November 2, 2026 and showed "Licensed." Public profile research retains the dates stated above. Names on DRE records may differ from public profile names; verify status and brokerage before selecting an agent.
