

The Ground Game Podcast
Justin Piche and Clay Hepler
Welcome to The Ground Game Podcast, where land investing meets real talk! Join your hosts, Justin and Clay, both 7-figure land investors and seasoned entrepreneurs, as they dive deep into the world of land investing, team building, and personal growth.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Oct 28, 2025 • 42min
Episode 56: Due diligence For Land flipping
🎙️ Welcome to The Ground Game Podcast! 🎙️Join hosts Clay Hepler and Justin Piche in this exciting episode of The Ground Game Podcast, your ultimate guide to mastering the art of land investing, team building, and land development. If you're interested in a raw, transparent look into what it takes to build a seven-figure land investment business, this podcast is for you! In this episode, Clay and Justin dive deep into:The Overlooked Profitability of Due Diligence: Clay and Justin explore one of the most critical yet often overlooked aspects of land investing: due diligence. They discuss how thorough property evaluation can significantly impact your bottom line and protect your investments.Essential Due Diligence Checklist: The hosts break down the essential due diligence checklist for both flips and developments. They cover key elements such as slope reports, soil tests, zoning regulations, and hidden CC&Rs, ensuring you know exactly what to look for before making a purchase.Spotting Red Flags: Clay and Justin share their insights on how to identify red flags that could derail a deal. They emphasize the importance of thorough inspections and understanding local regulations to avoid costly mistakes that can eat into your margins.Common Mistakes New Investors Make: The hosts discuss the most frequent pitfalls that new land investors encounter during the due diligence process. They provide actionable advice on how to avoid these mistakes, helping you navigate the complexities of land investing with confidence.Real-World Examples of Deals Gone Sideways: Clay and Justin recount real-world stories of deals that went sideways due to inadequate due diligence. They share what went wrong, how they managed to salvage the situation, and the valuable lessons learned from these experiences.Persistence in Closing Deals: Clay shares a dramatic story of a deal that almost fell through due to a seller's erratic behavior, illustrating the importance of not giving up when there’s a significant opportunity on the line. Justin adds his perspective on the emotional rollercoaster of navigating complex deals and the lessons learned along the way.Building a Sustainable Business: The episode wraps up with a discussion on the importance of creating a business that supports your lifestyle, not the otheLearn about Justin’s 1:1 Coaching Apply for private coaching with clay Submit Your Deal for funding The Ground Game Podcast Website Youtube Facebook TikTok Justin's Socials: X/Twitter YouTube Instagram Facebook Clay's Socials: ...

Oct 21, 2025 • 47min
Episode 55: Adapt or Die: Building the Optimal Land Business in a Changing Market
🎙️ Welcome to The Ground Game Podcast! 🎙️Join hosts Clay Hepler and Justin Piche in this exciting episode of The Ground Game Podcast, your ultimate guide to mastering the art of land investing, team building, and land development. If you're interested in a raw, transparent look into what it takes to build a seven-figure land investment business, this podcast is for you!In this episode, Clay and Justin dive deep into:Market Dynamics: Justin discusses the current cooling trends in the market, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a lean operation and low overhead during challenging times. Clay shares how his acquisition team is thriving despite the market conditions, highlighting the impact of having a skilled acquisition manager.Adaptability in Business: The hosts explore the need for adaptability in today’s market, discussing how to shift team structures and marketing strategies to stay competitive. Clay emphasizes the importance of professionalizing your organization and being open to new revenue streams.Personal Challenges and Accountability: Clay shares his friendly competition with fellow investor Andrew Haney, detailing their commitment to a series of personal challenges aimed at improving discipline and accountability. This light-hearted banter sets the tone for a discussion on the importance of personal growth in business.Direct Mail Strategies: The duo dives into effective direct mail tactics, discussing the importance of personalization and A/B testing to increase response rates. Clay shares insights on how to leverage local knowledge and technology to enhance marketing efforts.Lessons from the Field: Justin recounts a challenging deal in Florida, illustrating the complexities of land development and the importance of clear communication. He emphasizes the need for strategic planning and understanding market conditions to avoid costly mistakes.Building a Sustainable Business: The episode wraps up with a discussion on creating a business that supports your lifestyle, not the other way around. Clay and Justin highlight the significance of protecting profit margins and making informed decisions to ensure long-term success.This episode is packed with valuable insights and actionable advice that you won't find anywhere else. So, if you're ready to take your land investing game tLearn about Justin’s 1:1 Coaching Apply for private coaching with clay Submit Your Deal for funding The Ground Game Podcast Website Youtube Facebook TikTok Justin's Socials: X/Twitter YouTube Instagram Facebook Clay's Socials: ...

Oct 9, 2025 • 46min
Episode 54: Land Investing Stories: When Real Deals Get Messy (and Profitable)
🎙️ Welcome to The Ground Game Podcast! 🎙️Join hosts Clay Hepler and Justin Piche in this exciting episode of The Ground Game Podcast, your ultimate guide to mastering the art of land investing, team building, and land development. If you're interested in a raw, transparent look into what it takes to build a seven-figure land investment business, this podcast is for you!In this episode, Clay and Justin dive deep into:Real-Time Land Investing Stories: Clay shares a recent experience with an underperforming transaction coordinator, discussing the tough decisions that come with leadership and the importance of accountability in a growing business. Justin reflects on a challenging deal in Florida, highlighting the critical need for clear communication and effective processes in land development.Navigating Team Dynamics: The hosts discuss the complexities of managing a growing team and the challenges that arise when transaction volumes increase. They emphasize the importance of having robust systems in place to ensure nothing falls through the cracks.Lessons Learned from the Field: Clay and Justin share valuable insights from their experiences, including the necessity of proactive problem-solving and the importance of maintaining strong relationships with buyers and realtors to avoid misunderstandings.Persistence in Closing Deals: Clay recounts a dramatic story of a deal that almost fell through due to a seller's erratic behavior, illustrating the importance of not giving up when there’s a significant opportunity on the line. Justin adds his perspective on the emotional rollercoaster of navigating complex deals and the lessons learned along the way.Building a Sustainable Business: The episode wraps up with a discussion on the importance of creating a business that supports your lifestyle, not the other way around, and how effective leadership and team building can drive success in the land investing space.This episode is packed with valuable insights and actionable advice that you won't find anywhere else. So, if you're ready to take your land investing game to the next level, hit play and join us on this exciting journey!Hosts:Clay Hepler: A seasoned real estate entrepreneur driven to build an eight-figure land flipping and development business.Justin Piche:Learn about Justin’s 1:1 Coaching Apply for private coaching with clay Submit Your Deal for funding The Ground Game Podcast Website Youtube Facebook TikTok Justin's Socials: X/Twitter YouTube Instagram Facebook Clay's Socials: ...

Oct 1, 2025 • 44min
Episode 53: How to Build Credibility in a Skeptical Market
In this lively discussion, hosts tackle the challenges posed by inexperienced investors on industry reputation. They emphasize the critical role of transparency and effective communication in building credibility. The conversation also covers the importance of personal branding, quality website design, and the power of testimonials to enhance trust. Listeners learn practical strategies like automated follow-ups and transparency in transactions to stand out in a skeptical market. They even touch on how common mistakes can frustrate buyers and sellers alike.

Sep 25, 2025 • 57min
Episode 52: Lessons from Year One – Land Deals, Business Growth & Market Moves
The hosts reflect on their experiences at the Land Scaling Summit, sharing personal updates and insights. They discuss the decline of investors in the land business and the necessity of adapting to market changes, including a shift towards SMS marketing. Improving team communication becomes a focal point, as does the journey of refining marketing strategies. There’s a candid conversation about leadership growth, hiring challenges, and balancing personal and professional life. They conclude with ambitious plans for the year ahead.

Sep 18, 2025 • 39min
Episode 51: Evolve or Die: Adapting to a Shifting Land Market
Hosts dive into the evolving land investing landscape, highlighting alarming trends of investor departures. They emphasize the need to adapt strategies, sharing insights on cutting PPC spending, embracing SMS marketing, and focusing on niche sub-markets for better leads. Personal anecdotes add a lighter touch, with stories of travel and life balance. The duo warns against complacency, advocating for a mindset that prioritizes rapid pivots and revenue-generating activities to thrive in a shifting market.

Sep 9, 2025 • 43min
Episode 50: Gurus, Gimmicks, and the Truth About Building a Real Land Flipping Business
Join a lively exploration of land investing as the hosts delve into the perils of flashy gurus and the importance of selecting genuine mentors. They share personal reading journeys, discussing the transformative power of fantasy literature. The conversation underscores the hidden costs of land flipping education, urging listeners to be discerning consumers of information. Emphasizing the need for sustainable business practices, they highlight the significance of community and continuous learning in achieving long-term success in real estate.

Sep 4, 2025 • 41min
Episode 49: Why Net Profit Is the Only Metric That Matters in Land Flipping
The hosts dive into their recent travels, combining personal anecdotes with business insights. They discuss the challenges of scaling in land investing and the crucial difference between net and gross profit. A focus on diversifying income streams is emphasized to combat reliance on land flipping alone. The importance of strategic planning in fluctuating markets is highlighted, along with the need for constant self-evaluation through feedback loops. Their lively banter makes complex topics engaging and relatable.

Aug 28, 2025 • 36min
Episode 48: How We’re Building Cashflow Outside our Land Businesses
Hosts discuss their recent travels and the joy of connecting with friends. They tackle the challenges of managing multiple land projects, emphasizing the need for diverse income streams beyond flipping. Insights on current market conditions reveal the importance of adapting strategies for growth. The conversation touches on the role of feedback loops in entrepreneurship, stressing constant evaluation and data tracking. Furthermore, they explore innovative wealth-building approaches, prioritizing cash flow and diversification for financial stability.

Aug 21, 2025 • 45min
Episode 47: No Rainbows, No Butterflies: The Realities of Scaling a Land Business
Hosts dive into the gritty realities of scaling a land investing business. They discuss personal updates, market slowdowns, and the importance of adapting strategies for profitability. Challenges with property negotiations and regulatory hurdles are highlighted, along with insights on the significance of networking and specialized knowledge. The hosts stress the need for strategic planning, data analysis, and feedback loops to navigate the complexities of entrepreneurship. This is a candid look at the ups and downs in the world of real estate.


