From stocking shelves and supervising the quality control department for a grocery store chain to negotiating deals and flipping homes, my journey into real estate has been anything but ordinary.
Since my early 20s, I have thought about becoming a real estate investor. But when I met Rebecca, I didn't just meet the love of my life – I found someone who fueled that dream and motivated me to finally pursue it. Meeting her changed everything.
My family relocated me from Mexico City to Sacramento at the age of 12. After high school, I dreamed of becoming a law enforcement officer, but when I had my first child at age 20, from a different relationship, I knew I needed to get a stable job and provide. I started working for Lucky's grocery store at age 16 – starting as a bagger, then a cashier – so I leaned into that career path, aiming to become a manager.
At age 27, I met Rebecca at a salsa club, thanks to a mutual friend. Everyone was having a great time that night, except one person – Rebecca. She remained seated, clearly not enjoying herself. I asked her to dance five times, and she rejected me five times. Finally, she said, "If I dance with you, will you leave me alone?" We danced, and something clicked, and the rest is history. On our first date, at Starbucks, Rebecca and I became very clear that our views about family, priorities, and goals were in perfect alignment – one of which was becoming real estate investors. As life and business partners that we are, I encouraged and supported my wife, Rebecca, in every way to pursue her dream in real estate, and we focused on achieving that goal and creating a business. In 2013, we opened NAREM with Rebecca becoming the Broker and myself becoming a licensed Agent in 2017. I got my real estate license while still working full-time at Lucky's, balancing both careers.
Not long after, life tested us when Rebecca and I both became sick around the same time, and our youngest son was barely a year old. Neither of us could work full-time. Thankfully, my mother-in-law and aunt-in-law stepped in to help care for the baby and us, and we leaned on the savings we had built. But more than anything, we leaned on each other. That trial made us stronger, solidifying our bond as a true team. We believe our mutual support is what allowed us to survive.
Having experienced firsthand how real estate provided us with financial stability during those difficult years, we feel the calling to help others do the same. For me, this career isn't about selling houses – it's about empowering families to build wealth and security through real estate.
Eventually, I was able to leave my 30-year career as a quality control supervisor. Today, I'm a full-time REALTOR®, and I love every moment of it. What makes it even more rewarding is that this life allows me to have quality time with my family. I have five beautiful children – Mateo, Camila, Jose Jr, Angelica, and Sasha. I love taking the youngest to school and picking them up. I love being fully present in my children's lives, in ways I never could while working at the distribution center. I love our family trips and the memories we get to create as a family. Now, I get to be the dad who's there, and that's priceless.
Our oldest is 19 and has a passion for motorcycles; watching him reminds me of myself. Beyond family time, I stay focused on building my business and helping others achieve the financial security that changed my own life.
Looking back, the path wasn't easy – sickness, financial struggles, long hours, and uncertainty – but it shaped me into who I am today. I'm proud of the family Rebecca and I have built, the resilience we've gained, and the opportunities real estate has given us. And I'm even more excited about using that experience to guide others toward their own financial stability, security, and dreams.
We don't see homes as just places to live – they are wealth creators. With 14 years of personal experience as a real estate investor, I bring that same mindset to my clients, showing them how to approach real estate not just as buyers, but as investors building long-term stability. Our patience, kindness, and commitment to changing lives guide everything I do, especially when working with clients who may feel homeownership is out of their reach. Behind the scenes, I have a fantastic and professional team that provides me with vital support, such as the lending department, inspectors, transaction coordinator, contractors/handymen, and other vendor connections to ensure each transaction runs smoothly. I guarantee that, when you work with me, I will not stop working with you until I take you to the finish line of homeownership – You will have your home!
I look at homes critically, analyzing value, repair costs, and return on investment, while also protecting clients from bad deals. We would rather walk away from a deal than see our clients get hurt. Our background in customer service keeps me focused on finding solutions and ensuring my clients feel supported and informed at every step. Ask any client: I'm disciplined, persistent, and won't stop until we find the home. Our honesty, transparency, and results-driven approach earn trust that lasts well beyond closing.
Sincerely,
 Jose Luis Lopez |
 Rebecca Loaiza Lopez |