Three generations of real estate

Owner / Broker / Accounts Manager

Leslie Dopirak is a longtime Carlsbad local and began working for Golden Key Properties in 2008 under her uncle Ned Paterson, who retired in 2022. A licensed Real Estate Broker and Salesperson with over 15 years of experience, Leslie became the third-generation owner of Golden Key Properties when she acquired the company in 2023.

She continues to build a portfolio of residential rental income properties for clients, and assists with purchases, sales, and exchanges of investment properties. Leslie lives in Carlsbad with her husband Shaun and two boys, Carter and Ryder. They are faithful Padres fans, and active in baseball, softball, soccer, and pickleball.

1970 — Dorothy Paterson, founder

Golden Key Properties was founded in 1970 by Dorothy Paterson — a local trail-blazer in her field. Dorothy was voted Realtor of the Year in 1971 and holds the distinction of being the first female President of the Oceanside Board of Realtors in 1973, as well as the first female President of the Oceanside-Pacific Kiwanis Club. She was a Certified Property Manager and Certified Commercial Investment Member.

Dorothy and her husband Ed resided in Carlsbad until their passing, and were survived by their four children — three of whom worked in various roles at Golden Key for many years.

1985 — Ned Paterson, second generation

Ned Paterson, the youngest of Dorothy and Ed’s four children, joined Golden Key in 1983 after graduating from Cal Poly Pomona with a Bachelor of Science (Cum Laude). After several years working under his mother’s guidance, Ned acquired Golden Key Properties and became its Owner and Broker in 1985.

Over a 40-year career, Ned met with countless residential and commercial property owners, managed hundreds of properties, and successfully closed several hundred real estate sales. He was active in the Kiwanis Club of Carlsbad, served as President of the North County Association of Realtors, and was a contributing member of the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce.

2023 — Leslie Dopirak, third generation

In 2008, Ned’s niece Leslie Dopirak (Paterson at the time) began working under his guidance. Over the next 15 years she absorbed the craft from her uncle and the legacy of her grandmother. In 2023, upon Ned’s retirement, Leslie became the third-generation family Owner and Broker of Golden Key Properties.

In 2020, Golden Key Properties celebrated its 50th anniversary. Today, the family business serves North San Diego County with the same personal touch Dorothy started with — now in its third generation.