EP 87: How a Full-Time Land Investor Made $750K in 2025 and What He’s Changing in 2026

Land investing gets written off as boring until you see what’s actually possible when it’s done intentionally.In this episode, I’m joined by Chris Johnsen, a full-time land investor who generated roughly $750,000 in gross profit in 2025 despite a more competitive and demanding market. We break down what really worked, what stopped working, and why his strategy in 2026 looks very different than it did just a few years ago.

Chris shares how subdivides outperformed traditional land flips, why narrowing his market focus became a competitive advantage, and how hiring his first full-time employee completely changed his capacity and results. We also get into why relationships, referrals, and MLS deals are now just as important as cold calling, and how land investors need to think longer-term if they want to stay profitable.

As we look ahead to 2026, Chris walks through his plan to scale larger subdivides, convert land into cash-flowing mobile home packages, and build a portfolio that creates both income and tax efficiency. This conversation is especially relevant for investors who feel like the easy money days are over and want to adapt instead of burning out.

In this episode, we cover:

- What 2025 really looked like for land investors in a tougher market

- Why subdividing land produced higher returns than standard flips

- How demand matters more now than ever when choosing markets

- The real ROI of hiring help and buying back your time

- Why focusing on fewer counties increased deal quality

- How Chris is using land to build long-term cash flow with mobile homes

- What land investing strategies make the most sense going into 2026

If you’re investing in land, thinking about land, or trying to figure out how to evolve your Real Estate business in a more competitive environment, this episode will give you a grounded look at what’s actually working right now.

Want to watch Chris's previous episode on our podcast, check it out here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=81Yu0fpLHww&t=35s.

Connect with Chris Johnsen here:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chris.johnsen.14

His Phone Number: Nine85-640-7500 (use this respectfully, y'all)

Connect with Courtney Fricke here:

Instagram: https://instagram.com/courtneyfricke

TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@courtney.fricke

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/courtneyfricke19/

X: https://x.com/courtneyfricke

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@courtneyfricke

Website: https://www.CourtneyFricke.com

Subscribe for more conversations with operators across the country breaking down real strategies, real numbers, and what it actually takes to adapt and grow in today’s Real Estate market.