Inspiring Conversations with David Ifediba of Deals with Dave LLC

Today we’d like to introduce you to David Ifediba.

Hi David, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
My story really began in March 2020, when the world shut down and I moved back home in the middle of my senior year at UC Riverside. I graduated online with a degree in Psychology, expecting to pursue a Ph.D. in social psychology. But the pandemic shifted everything. I found myself at home, helping my dad with our family’s real estate business and talking with my parents—both longtime educators—about other paths in psychology. That’s when I discovered educational psychology and felt called to serve students and families as a school psychologist, especially given my experience working with youth at the USA STEM Academy at UCR.

But the journey wasn’t straightforward. A week after graduating, I began studying for my real estate license while shadowing a local agent my dad connected me with. I spent six months working odd jobs, substitute teaching, and applying to graduate programs. By December 2020, I hit one of the lowest points in my life—financially, mentally, and spiritually. I had student loans, credit card debt, had just left a toxic workplace, and was unemployed. I remember lying in bed feeling defeated until my mom walked in and encouraged me with the love and belief that only a Nigerian mother could give. That conversation lit the spark I desperately needed.

From there, I hustled. I worked at DD’s Discounts and as an Amazon Fresh warehouse associate—sometimes 18–20 hours a day—while studying, applying for grad school, substitute teaching, and trying to stay afloat. Then in April 2021, everything changed: I got accepted into the CSU Long Beach School Psychology program with a full-ride scholarship, bought a new car, and officially earned my real estate license—all in the same week. I joined eXp Realty that summer and closed my very first listing in Compton shortly after.

Since then, God has continued to open doors. Today, I’m a Nationally Certified School Psychologist serving students in multiple schools, a real estate agent and investor with over $10,000,000 in closed real estate volume, and the CEO of Deals with Dave, LLC. I’ve helped families across California, Texas, Florida, and beyond build generational wealth through real estate. I also serve as the Young Adult President of the National Igbo Catholic Community USA, mentor aspiring and early-career school psychologists, and stay deeply involved in the communities that shaped me.

As a first-generation Nigerian immigrant, everything I do is rooted in the values my parents instilled in me: faith, resilience, service, and the belief that to whom much is given, much is expected. My story isn’t just about success—it’s about perseverance, purpose, and honoring the sacrifices my family made so I could stand where I am today.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
The journey has definitely not been smooth. I’ve faced financial uncertainty, career confusion, and the fear of putting myself out there—especially when I first became a real estate agent. Balancing two demanding fields, school psychology and real estate, has been one of my biggest challenges. Both require emotional energy, long hours, and a level of responsibility that can be overwhelming at times.

In the beginning, I worked multiple jobs—substitute teaching, warehouse shifts, retail—just to stay afloat while studying for my real estate license and applying to graduate school. I carried debt, dealt with setbacks, and questioned whether real estate was even the right path, especially after only a few sales in my first two years. At the same time, I was learning how to manage the emotional weight of special education evaluations as an early-career school psychologist.

But I stayed persistent. I leaned on my faith, my family, and the values I was raised with as a first-generation Nigerian immigrant. Over time, I built my brand, grew my confidence, and earned trust in both professions. Today, I’m proud to serve families as a Nationally Certified School Psychologist and a real estate agent with over $10M in sales—proof that resilience, consistency, and purpose can carry you through even the toughest seasons.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Deals with Dave LLC?
Deals with Dave LLC is a real estate brand built on transparency, education, and empowerment. I founded this company with a simple mission: to help families and individuals build generational wealth through real estate, no matter their background or starting point. As both a Realtor and a real estate investor, I specialize in guiding first-time homebuyers, multi-family investors, land buyers, and families relocating across Los Angeles and nationwide.

What sets Deals with Dave apart is the level of care, communication, and advocacy my clients receive. I combine my experience as a Nationally Certified School Psychologist with my real estate expertise, which allows me to approach every transaction with empathy, patience, attention to detail, and a deep commitment to helping people make informed decisions. My clients often say they feel supported, educated, and confident throughout the entire process—and that’s exactly the standard I aim to uphold.

To date, I’ve closed over $10M in real estate sales volume across California, Texas, Florida, and beyond. I’m proud that Deals with Dave has grown organically through referrals, community relationships, and the trust I’ve earned by showing up consistently and putting my clients first. My brand represents integrity, resilience, and opportunity—values shaped by my upbringing as a first-generation Nigerian immigrant and the belief that “to whom much is given, much is expected.”

I want readers to know that Deals with Dave isn’t just a real estate business—it’s a platform for education, financial empowerment, and long-term transformation. Whether someone is buying their first home, expanding their investment portfolio, or simply curious about where to start, my goal is to guide them every step of the way and ensure they feel seen, supported, and equipped for success.

Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
My biggest advice for finding a mentor is to lead with humility, curiosity, and consistency. The mentors who have shaped my life the most were people I intentionally reached out to, learned from, and stayed connected with—not because I wanted something from them, but because I genuinely valued their wisdom. Staying teachable has opened more doors for me than anything else.

Two of my greatest mentors have been Dr. Carolyn Murray and my dad, Paul Ifediba. Dr. Murray, from the UC Riverside STEM Academy, poured into me academically and personally during my time at UCR. She believed in my potential before I fully recognized it myself and played a major role in shaping my confidence and leadership.

My dad has been equally influential. Watching him work in real estate for a decade ignited my passion for the field long before I became an agent. He exposed me to the business, taught me the value of persistence and honesty, and modeled what it means to serve clients with integrity. He’s the reason I took my first steps into real estate, and his guidance continues to ground me in my career today.

Networking has also worked well for me because I immerse myself in communities I truly care about. Whether it’s the Igbo Catholic Community USA, school psychology networks, or real estate circles in Los Angeles, I show up, build relationships, and offer help before asking for anything. When people see your character, work ethic, and genuine desire to grow, the right mentors naturally gravitate toward you.

I’ve learned that taking initiative—asking questions, seeking feedback, and stepping into spaces where you may be the least experienced person in the room—is where the most growth happens. My journey as both a Nationally Certified School Psychologist and a real estate agent with over $10M in sales has been shaped by mentors who saw potential in me because I consistently showed up and stayed open to learning.

Ultimately, mentorship isn’t just about finding someone to guide you—it’s about becoming someone worth guiding.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://onereal.com/david-ifediba
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/david_ifed/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100090964517384
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-ifediba/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/DavidIfediba