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All Forum Posts by: Scott Johnson

Scott Johnson has started 47 posts and replied 597 times.

Post: Scammed by "Estate Legal"

Scott Johnson
Posted
  • Specialist
  • Greenville, NC
  • Posts 607
  • Votes 379

I did confirm that in North Carolina, per the Statute of Frauds, any agreement lasting a year or more must be express, in writing and delivered to both parties, along with consideration (which I remitted via wire). 

As I stated above, please exercise caution and make sure fully executed documents are received prior to wiring funds.

Post: Scammed by "Estate Legal"

Scott Johnson
Posted
  • Specialist
  • Greenville, NC
  • Posts 607
  • Votes 379
Quote from @Jay Hinrichs:
Quote from @Scott Trench:

@Scott Johnson we typically don't delete forum posts, and I don't see a reason to make an exception here. 

Is there some reason that you or the company simply don't discuss what happened and use this as an opportunity to turn a negative post into a positive one for the company? 


sounds like someone got a nasty gram.. we see this with the syndicators that are called out then threaten the investor who called them out.. or anyone else companing about a service only to have the company either threaten or tell them if you take this down or retract we will give you your money back.. kind of like landlords lying about how great their dead beat tenant is to just get them to move on to the next landlord.  Just sayin.

I was actually attempting to remove in consideration of their actually responding to me. Funny enough, though, I just received said email, but it's more eluding to the fact that's the route they may attempt to take.

What's interesting is that I sent them the referral agreement with my signature and subsequently wired the money. Definitely a bad move on my part. I just put too much trust in them.

To date, I have not received an agreement with their signatures (fully executed), although I've asked for it multiple times to date.

They sent a PDF agreement for review and gave me a deadline to sign, which I believe was a Saturday. I was not sent a Docusign, so in lieu of that I amended the agreement so it stated the terms that were agreed upon and sent it in, as they have a boilerplate agreement they send out. From that point, onboarding began and the silence ensued...

For those who have received the Docusign that was already signed by the company and moved forward from there, there may be no issue. 

I'm sure they're legitimate company, but investors should just watch their 6 and make sure the process follows this order:

- Docusign (fully executed)

- Wire Money

- Follow Up consistently

In my situation, the company failed to send a Docusign while also setting a deadline for signing was communicated. I have a feeling it was an internal "ball drop" that turned out to be very unacceptable.

Post: Scammed by "Estate Legal"

Scott Johnson
Posted
  • Specialist
  • Greenville, NC
  • Posts 607
  • Votes 379

Fair enough. Best people stay informed anyway. I'll just post updates. 

Post: Scammed by "Estate Legal"

Scott Johnson
Posted
  • Specialist
  • Greenville, NC
  • Posts 607
  • Votes 379

@Moderators, I'd appreciate it if you would delete this post. The situation is being rectified. 

Post: Scammed by "Estate Legal"

Scott Johnson
Posted
  • Specialist
  • Greenville, NC
  • Posts 607
  • Votes 379

PLEASE BE ADVISED

I am in talks with Estate Legal to rectify this situation. They may be proving to me that they are, in fact, not a scam.

Post: Scammed by "Estate Legal"

Scott Johnson
Posted
  • Specialist
  • Greenville, NC
  • Posts 607
  • Votes 379

To date, two BiggerPockets members have reached out to me. One paid and signed up for the aforementioned service on December 20th, and the other one has been sent the docusign and is considering signing up. 

Post: Scammed by "Estate Legal"

Scott Johnson
Posted
  • Specialist
  • Greenville, NC
  • Posts 607
  • Votes 379

Unless someone can prove otherwise, I’m fairly certain I was just scammed out of $3,400 by a supposed “Lead Provider.” I’m sharing my story so everyone can be aware and hopefully avoid the same experience.

I received a call from one of my ads that targets probate clients. The caller, William Silva, claimed to be a salesperson for a company called “Estate Legal.” He seemed legitimate at first, and I even had a few friends look over the materials he provided. Everything checked out.

They claimed that Estate Legal helps people through the probate process—especially those with a living will or those who’ve moved into a nursing home and need to sell their house. Supposedly, they connect sellers with brokers and homebuyers in each market. They also stated they only allow three brokers and three cash homebuyer “spots” in any given area, and they only move into areas where they can guarantee at least 600 leads per year. I was told there was already one broker signed up and no cash homebuyers yet, so it seemed like a good opportunity. After doing what I felt was enough research—even though the sales pitch was a bit pushy—I decided to move forward.

Their pamphlet outlined several guarantees and provided additional details. The only slight red flag was that they only accepted payment via Venmo or wire transfer, but that's how I accepted payment when I was selling lead bundles, so I still thought it was worth a shot. So, I wired the money. After that, they sent a few messages mentioning they were working with a couple of probates and would get back to me.

To date, I haven't received anything, and my attempts to reach them have gone unanswered. I recall looking up their LLC in Florida, even though some documents mentioned California.

If you’ve had any interactions with these people, please reply below and let us know your experience. I hope this helps keep others from falling into the same trap. Hope this helps, and God bless!

Post: Anyone have experience with Vacation Rentals on Lake Norman in NC?

Scott Johnson
Posted
  • Specialist
  • Greenville, NC
  • Posts 607
  • Votes 379
Quote from @Wyatt Wolff:

@Evans Wright This looks like your area of expertise sir 


 Thanks, brother! I left him a voicemail. 

Post: Anyone have experience with Vacation Rentals on Lake Norman in NC?

Scott Johnson
Posted
  • Specialist
  • Greenville, NC
  • Posts 607
  • Votes 379

Looking to connect with people who understand vacation rentals on Lake Norman. Have a deal I'm analyzing, but I need some more insight as to how to get a solid ARV, since comps are sparse.

Post: WTF is wrong with investors these days?

Scott Johnson
Posted
  • Specialist
  • Greenville, NC
  • Posts 607
  • Votes 379
Quote from @Engelo Rumora:
Quote from @Scott Johnson:
Quote from @Engelo Rumora:

So I get investors reaching out to me everyday and it goes like this:

"Hi, I know you offer turnkey properties and property management and am interested in the Toledo market, I don't want to buy turnkey but was hoping you could help me find a deal.

Also, do you have any contractor and lender referrals?

I'd also love to work with your property management company"

Diplomacy left me a long time ago so how would you guys reply?

Seems like to me that everyone wants something for nothing nowadays and nobody is willing to put in the work or to pay the margin for someone else that is willing to do the work...

Folks want to "own a monkey", play with the monkey, but not "carry the monkey" or clean it's S#@% when it does one hehe

I guess next time I go to McDonalds, I'll ask them for organic burger buns or where I can find them, I'll bring my own meat paddy and potatoes, get them to make a Big Mac meal for me and maybe I throw some change their way haha

How about those analogies above... lol

Have a great weekend guys and much success with your investing 🙏


Calling out to all property managers in the Toledo market. There's obviously some cries for education that aren't being filled in that area. Great marketing point to capitalize on and a way to create solid, long lasting relationships with new investors.



I've been calling out to them also and trying to buy their book of business lol 

They don't like replying much 🤷‍♂️

 At least you're getting in a shot 🤷🏻 Have you ever consider hiring someone to feel these calls and work directly with those new investors? You never know what the "I don't want to turn key" can turn into after you provide value.