Thomas J. Nelson

Your Local Guide For San Diego

Meet The Team

Your Local Guide For San Diego

Christine Frushon

Real Estate Professional Consultant at Keys with Christine Brokered by EXP Realty

Thomas J. Nelson

DRE# 01261476

Big Block-LPT Realty

Well, let me tell you, real estate runs deep in my veins. It's like the very foundation of who I am. You see, it's a family affair—my folks, my grandparents, they were all in the game, making deals, managing properties. It was like breathing for us, you know?

Now, my grandma Frances, she was the one who got me started on this journey. She'd take me along to her deals, teaching me the ropes from a young age. And then there was grandpa Al, a real property guru. He showed me the ropes of real estate investing and even got me hands-on with some light construction work. Painting, electrical, plumbing—you name it, I was there, learning the ropes.

But life's a funny old thing, isn't it? While I was knee-deep in property management, another passion came calling: music. Now, I may not be the next Elvis, but I sure can hold my own with a guitar or drums. But it was when I discovered the magic of mixing music that things really took off. Parties turned into gigs, gigs turned into paid gigs, and before I knew it, I was running my own music business at the ripe old age of nineteen.

For three decades, I was the heart and soul behind Nelson-Entertainment, a Mobile DJ & Wedding Event planning company. What began as a simple hobby blossomed into a thriving business, and I had the privilege of orchestrating over 2000 weddings and countless other events. From humble beginnings, I learned invaluable lessons about entrepreneurship and the art of service.

But life had more in store for me. Ten years into my DJ career, I joined forces with my mother in the real estate business. Watching her navigate the industry, from land acquisition to home construction, was an education in itself. She didn't just sell homes; she cultivated genuine connections with her clients, becoming more than just their REALTOR®—she was their trusted confidante.

Inspired by her example and the arrival of my son, Wyatt, I embarked on my own real estate journey. Balancing my DJ gigs and property management duties, I laid the foundation for my fledgling real estate business. In 2003, my wife Ailina and I made the leap to San Diego, drawn by its inviting climate and vibrant community. La Jolla stole our hearts, offering the perfect backdrop for our new chapter.

Joining forces with Big Block Realty was a game-changer. Surrounded by like-minded professionals, I found a home where my values and vision aligned seamlessly. With access to top-notch training and support, I'm constantly honing my skills to better serve my clients.

I don't take your trust for granted. Each transaction is an opportunity to exceed your expectations and earn your satisfaction. Whether you're buying or selling, I'm here to guide you through every step of the process. And if you know someone in need of real estate expertise, don't hesitate to send them my way—I'll ensure they receive the same level of care and attention.

In the world of real estate, results matter. With me by your side, you can rest assured that your goals are my top priority. Let's embark on this journey together and turn your real estate dreams into reality.

It's A Good Life!

Thomas

Service Areas

San Diego

Service Areas

San Diego

  • San Diego

  • EXP Relocation Certification

  • EXP REO Certification

  • AHRN Certified Military Real Estate Agent

Recent Activity

Mortgage Rates Don't Wait

Waiting for Mortgage Rates to Drop? You Might Want a Chair.

September 28, 2026•2 min read

Waiting for Mortgage Rates to Drop?
You Might Want a Chair.

Let’s just say it: mortgage rates are painful right now.

And whenever rates spike, the predictable advice starts flying around: “Wait until rates come down.”

Maybe. But before you put your home-buying plans on ice, understand something important:

mortgage rates

The Federal Reserve does NOT directly set mortgage rates.

The Fed controls the federal funds rate—the overnight rate banks charge one another. Mortgage rates are influenced by a much larger economic stew: inflation, Treasury and bond yields, government borrowing, energy costs, investor expectations and the overall economy.

That’s why mortgage rates can rise, fall or start moving before the Fed does anything.

Stop Trying to Time Rates.
Start With Your Payment.

Nobody—not your REALTOR®, lender, economist, financial-news talking head, or your neighbor who “almost became a REALTOR®”—knows exactly where mortgage rates will be six months from now.



So I think buyers should ask
a better question:
“What would have to happen for buying a home to make sense for me TODAY?”

Start with the monthly payment you’re genuinely comfortable making—not simply the maximum amount somebody says you qualify for.

Then determine the gap.

If the house you want puts you $200 or $300 above that comfort zone, can we bridge it?

Possibly.

A negotiated purchase price, seller credit, interest-rate buydown, improved credit, paying down another debt, or a different loan program might change the equation. Adjustable-rate mortgages (ARMs) are also getting another look from some buyers, although you need to clearly understand when and how that rate can adjust.

And today’s slower market may actually create opportunities for buyers to negotiate terms that were much harder to get when everyone was fighting over the same house.



Sometimes Waiting IS the Right Answer

Mortgage Rates

If buying today would wipe out your savings,
make you house-poor, or leave you

uncomfortable every month, wait.

That’s a financial decision based on facts.

But “I’m waiting because rates will be lower next year” is a prediction—and nobody knows that.

Rates could decline. They could remain elevated. Home prices could move. Inventory could tighten. The perfect house could appear—or disappear.

You don’t need to buy today. But you should know what buying today actually looks like before deciding not to.

Forget the headlines for a minute.

Let’s find the house, run the numbers, understand the options, and then decide whether they make sense for you.






Need the Financing Side of the Conversation?

I recommend my lending partner Jason Gordon. Jason can help you understand the actual financing options and numbers instead of trying to make decisions from national headlines.

Jason Gordon
Sr. Loan Consultant / Advisor
📱 619.200.8031
✉️ [email protected]

The Federal ReserveThe FedRatesMortgagessan diego homes for salereal estate
Thomas J. Nelson

Thomas J. Nelson

Thomas J. Nelson is a published author, professional keynote speaker and residential REALTOR® in San Diego, CA.

Back to Blog
Mortgage Rates Don't Wait

Waiting for Mortgage Rates to Drop? You Might Want a Chair.

September 28, 2026•2 min read

Waiting for Mortgage Rates to Drop?
You Might Want a Chair.

Let’s just say it: mortgage rates are painful right now.

And whenever rates spike, the predictable advice starts flying around: “Wait until rates come down.”

Maybe. But before you put your home-buying plans on ice, understand something important:

mortgage rates

The Federal Reserve does NOT directly set mortgage rates.

The Fed controls the federal funds rate—the overnight rate banks charge one another. Mortgage rates are influenced by a much larger economic stew: inflation, Treasury and bond yields, government borrowing, energy costs, investor expectations and the overall economy.

That’s why mortgage rates can rise, fall or start moving before the Fed does anything.

Stop Trying to Time Rates.
Start With Your Payment.

Nobody—not your REALTOR®, lender, economist, financial-news talking head, or your neighbor who “almost became a REALTOR®”—knows exactly where mortgage rates will be six months from now.



So I think buyers should ask
a better question:
“What would have to happen for buying a home to make sense for me TODAY?”

Start with the monthly payment you’re genuinely comfortable making—not simply the maximum amount somebody says you qualify for.

Then determine the gap.

If the house you want puts you $200 or $300 above that comfort zone, can we bridge it?

Possibly.

A negotiated purchase price, seller credit, interest-rate buydown, improved credit, paying down another debt, or a different loan program might change the equation. Adjustable-rate mortgages (ARMs) are also getting another look from some buyers, although you need to clearly understand when and how that rate can adjust.

And today’s slower market may actually create opportunities for buyers to negotiate terms that were much harder to get when everyone was fighting over the same house.



Sometimes Waiting IS the Right Answer

Mortgage Rates

If buying today would wipe out your savings,
make you house-poor, or leave you

uncomfortable every month, wait.

That’s a financial decision based on facts.

But “I’m waiting because rates will be lower next year” is a prediction—and nobody knows that.

Rates could decline. They could remain elevated. Home prices could move. Inventory could tighten. The perfect house could appear—or disappear.

You don’t need to buy today. But you should know what buying today actually looks like before deciding not to.

Forget the headlines for a minute.

Let’s find the house, run the numbers, understand the options, and then decide whether they make sense for you.






Need the Financing Side of the Conversation?

I recommend my lending partner Jason Gordon. Jason can help you understand the actual financing options and numbers instead of trying to make decisions from national headlines.

Jason Gordon
Sr. Loan Consultant / Advisor
📱 619.200.8031
✉️ [email protected]

The Federal ReserveThe FedRatesMortgagessan diego homes for salereal estate
blog author image

Thomas J. Nelson

Thomas J. Nelson is a published author, professional keynote speaker and residential REALTOR® in San Diego, CA.

Back to Blog

Testimonials

Wow! negotiated a $400K price reduction on a listing that had already been reduced by $300K!! If you want a skilled negotiator on your side, she’s your girl.

- Carl

is an amazing person and fantastic Real Estate professional. Her marketing skills are second to none, if you are in need of selling or buying a home, she is your choice!

– Duane

and her team are amazing to work with! They go above and beyond with help and communication, and so much fun as well.

– Kristen

was amazing to work with! She made the whole process look so easy. Thank you for all of your hard work.

- Celene

It was my pleasure working with . She is very professional and knowledgeable in the real estate field.

– Natalia

is a phenomenal agent. She made the home buying process simple and I highly recommend her!

– Shronda

https://storage.googleapis.com/msgsndr/LGvMHSpjamZ678AUgrJY/media/65ed25120013ad8189925cc4.jpeg

#58BB47

#0000FF

https://www.google.com/maps/embed?pb=!1m18!1m12!1m3!1d429155.3376406009!2d-117.43861812897623!3d32.82469764779043!2m3!1f0!2f0!3f0!3m2!1i1024!2i768!4f13.1!3m3!1m2!1s0x80d9530fad921e4b%3A0xd3a21fdfd15df79!2sSan%20Diego%2C%20CA%2C%20USA!5e0!3m2!1sen!2sph!4v1710098235283!5m2!1sen!2sph

Thank you for visiting

San Diego

Contact Info

Address

8895 Towne Centre Dr. Ste 105 PMB 436, San Diego, CA 92122-5542

Phone

+18582328722

Email

Location

Redondo Beach, CA, USA

https://www.google.com/maps/embed?pb=!1m18!1m12!1m3!1d429155.3376406009!2d-117.43861812897623!3d32.82469764779043!2m3!1f0!2f0!3f0!3m2!1i1024!2i768!4f13.1!3m3!1m2!1s0x80d9530fad921e4b%3A0xd3a21fdfd15df79!2sSan%20Diego%2C%20CA%2C%20USA!5e0!3m2!1sen!2sph!4v1710098235283!5m2!1sen!2sph

All Content ©
2026 Thomas J. Nelson's Account . All Rights Reserved.