ABOUT LORI PEREZ
I believe being good at real estate has very little to do with how many houses you can close — it's about how well you read a room, a situation, and a person. More than eight years in this business have taught me that the deals that matter most are rarely the easy ones, and I've built my career on being the agent people call when things are complicated. I built my own brokerage because I wanted the freedom to do this my way — with skill, with steadiness, and with the kind of judgment you only get from doing the hard ones right. That's what I'm good at, and that's why people trust me with the moments that matter most.
GUIDED BY EXPERTISE
My journey into Real Estate began with walking alongside my father. He didn't live the life of an agent, but rather that of a builder, contractor, and landlord. I simply turned towards what seemed natural. Now, I help clients with the single most important investment in their life, their home. As an added bonus, my tenure as a public school educator also gave me the unique advantage of having the experience to teach and guide clients on their real estate journey. Understanding the value of a strong contract, a strong market position and the strength of asset building helps our clients succeed in their real estate goals, is paramount for me—that's why I continue to educate myself.
GET TO KNOW ME
Lori Perez brings more than 25 years of experience as an educator to every real estate conversation. After teaching in public schools and homeschooling her own children through graduation, she developed a gift for turning complex information into clear, confident next steps. Her education career taught Lori how to explain contracts, market conditions, and the emotional weight of a major decision in terms clients can understand. She listens closely, meets people where they are, and offers the right balance of information, strategy, and reassurance—whether someone is purchasing a first home or navigating a divorce-related sale. Licensed since 2018, Lori built her career through hands-on market experience before becoming a Broker in 2023 and establishing her own boutique brokerage in Fredericksburg. She has helped more than 110 clients move forward with their home goals, combining thoughtful strategy with steady guidance from the first conversation through closing. Virginia has been home to Lori and her family for more than 15 years. She values the community, variety, and family-friendly character of the Fredericksburg area, and she is passionate about helping people find their place here—whether they are buying their first home, growing an investment portfolio, selling a longtime property, or beginning a new chapter after divorce.
EXPERIENCE.DEDICATION.RESULTS
Lori holds a B.S. in Education with a minor in Educational Psychology. She is also a licensed Pricing Strategy Advisor (PSA), a Short Sales and Foreclosure Resource (SFR®), a Certified Divorce Real Estate Expert (CDRE®), and a Real Estate Negotiation Expert (RENE). This blend of education, negotiation, and real estate expertise brings clarity, precision, and thoughtful advocacy to every transaction. Her favorite part of the business is the contract—it’s where the deal becomes real. Lori believes real estate is for everyone and takes pride in helping her clients build wealth, create stability, and leave lasting legacies for generations to come. Known as a true closer, Lori’s hard-working, knowledgeable, and encouraging approach has earned her a five-star reputation as an agent in Virginia. When she’s not serving clients, Lori enjoys spending time with her husband, children, and grand children. She and her husband have recently purchased a farmette and getting it animal ready (chickens will be the first addition).
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Clear answers for the moments that matter most in your real estate journey.
Should we sell the house before, during, or after the divorce is finalized?
There's no one-size-fits-all answer here — it comes down to who's actually on the title and the loan. If you're both on it, the sale usually needs to move together as part of the divorce process, since getting on the same page before listing just makes things smoother. But if only one spouse is on the title and loan, that spouse can move forward with listing and selling on their own — the other spouse's role at that point is more about practical things like showings and access, not a legal requirement to agree. Outside of that, timing usually comes down to the market, how amicable things are between you and your ex, and whether either of you can realistically carry the home alone. Some couples sell early to simplify and divide things while everything's still fresh. Others wait until the divorce is final so there's no confusion about who's owed what. Either way, I'll help you figure out what actually makes sense for your situation — not just what's "typical."
How can you help with a divorce-related home sale?
I help take one of the most emotionally charged parts of a divorce and turn it into something manageable. As a Certified Divorce Real Estate Expert, I act as a neutral, steady presence between two people who may not agree on much else — coordinating pricing, showings, and communication so nothing feels one-sided or gets lost in translation. I work directly with both spouses and their attorneys, keep everything documented and transparent, and make sure the sale moves forward on solid ground instead of getting stuck in conflict. My job isn't just to sell the house — it's to protect your privacy, your equity, and your peace of mind while we get there.
What happens if one spouse wants to sell and the other refuses?
This comes up more than people expect, and the answer really depends on who's legally tied to the property. If you're both on the title and the loan, a refusal can slow things down — but it doesn't have to stop the process entirely. I work with both parties and their attorneys to find where the disagreement actually is — is it about price, timing, or just not wanting to let go — and I address that directly instead of letting it stall the whole sale. If it truly can't be resolved between the two of you, the court can step in and order the sale, so refusing doesn't mean it never happens; it just means it takes longer and often costs more. If only one spouse is on the title and loan, the story is different — that spouse can move forward with listing and selling without the other's agreement. The other spouse's role at that point is more practical than legal — access, showings, moving out — not a veto over the sale itself. Either way, my job is to keep things moving forward with as little friction as possible, so one person's resistance doesn't end up costing both of you time, money, and peace of mind.
Who has the legal authority to sign the listing agreement — can one spouse act alone, or do both need to agree?
This is one of the first things I check before a listing ever goes live, because getting it wrong can cause real problems down the road. It comes down to the title and the loan. If both spouses are on the title, both signatures are typically needed on the listing agreement — one spouse can't legally list the home alone, even if they're the one still living there. If only one spouse is on the title, that spouse has the authority to sign and move forward independently, without needing the other's agreement. I also always ask for the relevant portions of the divorce decree before listing, because sometimes the court has already spelled out who's authorized to act on the couple's behalf, what the listing price should be, or when it should be reduced. Skipping that step is one of the most common — and most avoidable — mistakes in a divorce sale, and it's not one I'm willing to make.