479: Buying 200 Homes a Year Without Burning Sellers
Chris Johns explains how a seller-first mindset, strict ethics, and smart systems make buying 200 homes a year possible without burning sellers or renegotiating deals.
The DealMachine Real Estate Investing Podcast · Chris Johns, David Lecko
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Show Notes
Chris Johns breaks down how his team buys 200 homes a year while refusing to play the usual wholesaling games. He explains why they never renegotiate sellers, how a seller-first culture actually scales better, and how omnichannel marketing - from direct mail to TV - fuels consistent deal flow. Chris also shares how they’re using AI for rehab scopes, design decisions, and buyer confidence, plus why most investors should either commit to real scale or rethink rentals altogether.
KEY TALKING POINTS:
0:00 - Intro
0:53 - Chris Johns’ Business
1:34 - What He Did Before They Did Direct To Seller
4:37 - Using Different Forms Of Marketing
6:04 - Why He Stopped Doing Turnkey
10:12 - The Best Way To Get A Return On Your Portfolio
13:25 - Using AI In His Business
18:21 - What Happened In 2025 & Refusing To Renegotiate
23:04 - Doing Novations
26:39 - His Biggest Lesson From 2025
28:09 - Their Company Values
30:10 - Why He Left Healthcare For Real Estate
32:52 - Sales Tips & Letting People Go
37:54 - What To Look For In An Acquisitions Manager
40:01 - Who He’s Learned The Most From
43:06 - A Product That Changed His Life
44:41 - Extra Questions From Moustafa
47:57 - Outro
LINKS:
Email: Chris Johns
Website: SBD Housing
https://www.sbdhousing.com/
Instagram: David Lecko
https://www.instagram.com/dlecko
Website: DealMachine
https://www.dealmachine.com/pod
Instagram: Ryan Haywood
https://www.instagram.com/heritage_home_investments
Website: Heritage Home Investments
https://www.heritagehomeinvestments.com/