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All Forum Posts by: Stephanie Lopez

Stephanie Lopez has started 5 posts and replied 31 times.

Post: Off Market Opportunities

Stephanie LopezPosted
  • Real Estate Agent
  • Orange County, CA
  • Posts 32
  • Votes 20
Quote from @Chris Seveney:

@Stephanie Lopez

Would be interested in seeing what you have


 Hey Chris! I just sent over a DM

Post: Off Market Opportunities

Stephanie LopezPosted
  • Real Estate Agent
  • Orange County, CA
  • Posts 32
  • Votes 20

Hi Everyone!

I am a licensed real estate agent and I run my business on the traditional side and investments. I acquire off market properties for my clients and have a brokerage who specializes in obtaining off market deals. We work in all different regions and price ranges!  We are always looking for clients who want an extra source of inventory. Let me know if you have questions or want more information on how to get on our buyers list!

Post: Advice for a Newbie

Stephanie LopezPosted
  • Real Estate Agent
  • Orange County, CA
  • Posts 32
  • Votes 20
Quote from @John Ma:
Quote from @Stephanie Lopez:
Quote from @Nicholas L.:

@Stephanie Lopez

saving up enough for a down payment to house hack is definitely the right step.  but when you say "help investors find properties," do you mean in your capacity as an agent?  Or some other way?


 Yes as an agent, I am looking to build trust and partnerships with investors to help them achieve their portfolio goals by using my market knowledge and tools that I have as an agent. I guess become an Investor Friendly Agent. I know I have a lot of work to do to prove myself as a valuable resource but I am going to do the work, I'm just trying to figure out the right steps. Hence why I was on craigslist lol 


 Easiest way to get your investor buyer clients inventory is connecting with all the wholesale shops in your area, and connect buyers to sellers.

Some of the seasoned buyers will already be on the wholesalers' mailing list, and thats fine, but there will be many that have no idea what wholesaling is and you're bringing them value by exposing offmarket inventory to them. 


 Thanks John! When you say local wholesalers is that information easily found? 

Post: Advice for a Newbie

Stephanie LopezPosted
  • Real Estate Agent
  • Orange County, CA
  • Posts 32
  • Votes 20
Quote from @Logan Lambert:
Quote from @Stephanie Lopez:

Hello I am new to the investing industry and have been reading/listening to podcast and reading forums. I went on Craigslist today and found the post attached. I decided to reach out. He responded with

“Hello this is Felipe wholesaler in Orange County
Nice to hear from you hope your event went well

I have motivated cash buyers
That love places in distress or properties that aren’t listed in the market”

I’m wondering how legit this is if he is a wholesaler and truly has buyers he is working with. Should I meet this person over coffee? Any advice would be appreciated..before I meet a stranger from Craigslist 


 Hey,

I have connected with a lot of random investors on the internet and would encourage to jump on the phone with them first and ensure as best as possible they are legit and not a scammer. I would absolutely encourage you to get out to local investor meetups. 


 Thanks Logan! I have a few local events I have signed up for, definitely going that route instead

Post: Advice for a Newbie

Stephanie LopezPosted
  • Real Estate Agent
  • Orange County, CA
  • Posts 32
  • Votes 20
Quote from @Brad S.:

Regarding if this is legit. Maybe, but It is most likely just a fishing post from an inexperienced investor, to add to their list of deal suppliers. Maybe they learned of this CL technique in an investing program or something. This is not how most reputable, experienced investors do it though. They already have the connections or reach out directly to agents to make connections. They also know how to source deals themselves. Your best source of connections in the real estate investing world are right here on BP, through other realtor referrals, and from meetups and investment groups. 

As a newbie, it is easy, and common, to head down multiple paths chasing shiny bright objects, with many of those paths just leading to time wasting and increased experience in learning what you don't want to do. Best advice is to keep exploring aspects of the RE investing world and decide which feels right and best for what you want to pursue. Then focus on those aspects and learn as much as you can about those. And do your best not to let the lack of resources dictate your focus or goals. I have done many deals with my experience alone and little or none of my own cash. "If you find it, they will come." Meaning, the most important part of a deal, is the deal itself, if you have a deal, the money will appear. I know that's simplistic, but it is true.

By, the way, that CL post was from an Anchor Loans deal in Sherman Oaks back in 2017. It is very unlikely it has anything to do with the person who posted in CL. Very easily found with a Google Image search.  https://www.instagram.com/p/B-xDg-Kj8T6/


 Wow, thanks Brad- this is super helpful for me. I appreciate you and the advice. "And do your best not to let the lack of resources dictate your focus or goals" That is exactly what I needed to hear. 

Post: Advice for a Newbie

Stephanie LopezPosted
  • Real Estate Agent
  • Orange County, CA
  • Posts 32
  • Votes 20
Quote from @Diran Deukmajian:

I would advice against it.  There's a higher risk of being scammed on deals like that.  Even meeting in person, they can act like a straight up investor until they hook you in and take your money.  Acting like a good person is easy for scammers. 

In my business, as a kitchen contractor, I meet "investors" who want to partner up all the time. More horror stories than success stories. Luckily I kept my distance and focus more on the traditional ways of making money.


 Good point Diran! I went on fastpeoplesearch.com and looked up his number. He is 27 years old so I am sure he is new to this. I did not end up meeting with him. It doesn't help me if we both don't know what we are doing lol

Post: Advice for a Newbie

Stephanie LopezPosted
  • Real Estate Agent
  • Orange County, CA
  • Posts 32
  • Votes 20
Quote from @Charles Perkins:

There are several ways to add value to RE investors.  One is talking to investors at RE meetings, reading what investors say they look for in an agent here on BP.  

An important thing I consider is an agent's knowledge of the communities I'm looking into.  Things like the demographics of the area, crime, ages of property, history of the area, known property disputes, etc all help.  Often agents have been in many of the homes in the area this can be helpful sometimes.

Basically you are looking for how to add value and how are different from other agents.  Later when you have begun investing yourself you may have other ways to help investors.


 Thank you Charles for the tip! I appreciate the feedback

Post: Advice for a Newbie

Stephanie LopezPosted
  • Real Estate Agent
  • Orange County, CA
  • Posts 32
  • Votes 20
Quote from @Sherri Orlando-Dominguez:

Hi Stephanie, I’m an investor in Orange County as well. Truth is you probably don’t need to meet in person. Zoom would be sufficient, less time (driving time) and more productive for both of you. Meetups are the best for meeting people of all trades in Real Estate and it’s a safe environment. 


 Good idea, I prefer that to be kidnapped at a coffee shop, thank you for the advice Sherri!

Post: Advice for a Newbie

Stephanie LopezPosted
  • Real Estate Agent
  • Orange County, CA
  • Posts 32
  • Votes 20
Quote from @Nicholas L.:

@Stephanie Lopez

saving up enough for a down payment to house hack is definitely the right step.  but when you say "help investors find properties," do you mean in your capacity as an agent?  Or some other way?


 Yes as an agent, I am looking to build trust and partnerships with investors to help them achieve their portfolio goals by using my market knowledge and tools that I have as an agent. I guess become an Investor Friendly Agent. I know I have a lot of work to do to prove myself as a valuable resource but I am going to do the work, I'm just trying to figure out the right steps. Hence why I was on craigslist lol 

Post: Advice for a Newbie

Stephanie LopezPosted
  • Real Estate Agent
  • Orange County, CA
  • Posts 32
  • Votes 20
Quote from @Nicholas L.:

@Stephanie Lopez

can you house hack?


 I don't have the capital right now to buy anything that requires a down payment. If I can continue as an agent and help investors find properties I can save up enough cash to buy and house hack. Do you think that is the right step?