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OnlyLandFans Podcast Ep. 90
Ever wonder how a simple desire to avoid bad neighbors could launch a 7-figure land business? That's exactly what happened to Chris Johnsen, who went from being an electrician to flipping over 100 properties in just two years. Let's dive into his refreshingly practical approach to land investing.
The Accidental Land Investor
Chris's journey began when he bought a vacant lot next door to his house - not as an investment, but simply to prevent unwanted neighbors. When someone offered to buy it for double his purchase price, a lightbulb went off. Armed with nothing but determination and a notebook, he started manually searching assessor websites and skip tracing property owners, not even knowing land investing was "a thing."
Key Strategies That Set Chris Apart
1. Focus on Larger Parcels
Chris exclusively targets 10+ acre properties, explaining, "The spread is better, especially if you're wholesaling. You can buy a hundred-thousand-dollar parcel at 75% and sell it for 100%, making the same profit as a smaller deal without having to buy it so cheap."
2. Creative Partnerships with Agents
Instead of viewing agents as competition, Chris has built a network of realtor partners across his target markets. These relationships provide:
Local market expertise
Property management capabilities
Deal funding opportunities
Quick sales through established networks
3. Test Markets Through Wholesaling
Before deploying capital in a new area, Chris tests the market by:
Putting properties under contract at 60% of market value
Aiming for an 80-85% wholesale exit
Using 45-60 day contract periods
Setting fair earnest money ($500-$5000 based on deal size)
4. Simple Systems That Scale
Despite closing 2-4 deals monthly, Chris keeps his operation lean:
Two cold callers making about 10,000 calls daily
One part-time executive assistant (who's also his title agent)
One acquisitions manager handling lead follow-up
Basic CRM usage focused on pipeline management
The Power of Staying Local
While others chase deals across the country, Chris focuses exclusively on Mississippi and Louisiana. "There's definitely something to be said about picking a market and staying in it," he shares. "You make relationships that compound over time, and people start bringing you deals because you solidify yourself as the land guy in that area."
Practical Takeaways for Land Investors
Don't Overcomplicate Things: Chris's success comes from taking action rather than getting stuck in analysis paralysis. "You can analyze this stuff to death," he notes.
Test Before You Invest: Use wholesaling to validate new markets before deploying capital.
Build Local Relationships: Focus on becoming the go-to land person in your area rather than spreading yourself thin across multiple markets.
Keep Operations Simple: You don't need complex systems to build a successful land business. Chris built his empire using a whiteboard and sticky notes before upgrading to basic CRM tools.
What's Your Next Move?
Chris's story proves you don't need fancy degrees or complicated systems to succeed in land investing. The key is taking action and staying focused on what works.
Ready to dive deeper into Chris's strategies? Watch the full episode to learn about his approach to timberland deals, owner financing, and how he's building a $10,000/month note portfolio while working just 30-40 hours per week.
Are you overthinking your land investing journey? Share your thoughts below, and let's discuss how you can start taking action today!
Enjoy the show!
Chris Johnsen hails from South Louisiana and recently moved into a new home on 100 acres in Mississippi. He is a husband and father to two young boys. With 15 years of experience as an electrician, Chris transitioned into the land business about two years ago by chance. Since then, he has successfully flipped over 100 properties and completed several subdivides. In his free time, Chris enjoys playing pickleball and coaching his son’s 5-year-old soccer team.
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Website: https://www.Kendall-LeJeune.com
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