In 1994, while working a side hustle as a waiter at Tony Roma’s at Universal CityWalk in Hollywood, California, my life changed forever. Deborah—the most beautiful woman I had ever seen—walked in, and when our eyes met, I knew everything was about to be different. We began a love story that would eventually lead to marriage, a growing family, and a complete career transformation. At the time, I was pursuing acting and music, but I realized that if I wanted a stable future with Deborah, I needed something more. In 1996, I bought my first home—a foreclosure—with my two best friends, Rob and Jay. That purchase opened my eyes: we weren’t just buying a home; we were making an investment. I felt like I had discovered a secret, and I knew I had to share it. In 1997, I became licensed in real estate and began my career with Century 21 Prechtl & Associates in Granada Hills, CA. I was fortunate to be mentored by Ron Prechtl, one of the top Century 21 agents in the world at the time. Ron saw something in me and entrusted me with his foreclosure accounts, allowing me to manage REO properties for major institutions like Bank of America, Countrywide, CHFA, and more. Between 1997 and 2001, I closed over 275 transactions and became a Top 10 producer company-wide. I even launched and led the in-house training program and Real estate School, helping many new licensees become top agents. In 2002, I joined Pinnacle Estate Properties, the top-selling firm in the San Fernando Valley. I continued my success, averaging over $12 million in annual sales for four consecutive years. But by 2005, my wife and I felt it was time for a new chapter. Concerned about the direction of Los Angeles and focused on giving our children a better environment, we made a bold move—leaving behind a lucrative career for the unknown. With three kids, two cats, and big faith, we relocated to Lake Mary, Florida. That same year, I founded Investors Real Estate LLC based on the belief that it’s “Not Just a Home, it's an Investment” in your future. Business was off to a strong start, but then came the crash. The 2008 financial crisis hit hard. Like millions of others, we faced foreclosure. We had exhausted our savings. It was the lowest point in our lives. And then, on Christmas Eve 2008, like a Netflix season ending cliff hanger, we learned Deborah was pregnant with our fourth child—a surprise gift that reminded us God was still in control. I gave everything to Jesus and began reaching back to the banks I had worked with years earlier. Slowly, I rebuilt. I helped families modify loans, short sell, and avoid foreclosure. Eventually, I was invited by Fannie Mae to help liquidate their inventory. It was bittersweet—steady income, but constant reminders of the human cost of the crash. Through it all, we stayed rooted in our mission: to help families in every season of the real estate cycle. I’ve now closed over 2,000 transactions personally and guided countless others through homeownership, investment, and crisis. In 2020, I began using YouTube to educate clients during the uncertainty of COVID-19—when many expected the market to crash, I urged that the market was not going to crash but actually go up and by a lot. That platform continues to grow and serve as a trusted source for real estate insights. Today, Investors Real Estate is a boutique firm with around 50 agents and two offices: one in Lake Mary and a 3,000 sq ft location in the heart of Winter Park. We continue to serve clients with passion, integrity, and an eye on the market—and the future.
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