Land Investing Has Changed. Here’s What Works Now

In this episode of The Real Estate Investing Podcast, Ron and Daniel Apke look back at how land investing has changed from 2020 to 2026 and what those changes mean for investors today. When they first entered the business, the strategy was relatively simple: send direct mail, buy land for roughly 25–40% of market value, and flip it for a profit.

There was far less competition, but there were also fewer resources, limited software, fewer funding options, and much more uncertainty about where and how to find deals. Ron and Daniel share some of their own early experiences, from spending thousands on unsuccessful mail campaigns to eventually finding success on the East Coast, and explain why the "more mail, more deals, more money" approach that worked so well back then isn't necessarily the best way to build a land business today.

Throughout the episode, Ron and Daniel break down how the industry has evolved with better land data, new marketing methods, easier access to funding, and entirely new strategies for creating value. Instead of simply looking at a property as a flip, today's investors can consider subdivisions, survey hacks, double closings, entitlements, mobile home packages, and other ways to find a property's highest and best use.

They explain why many experienced investors are now focused on doing fewer deals while making more money, and why creativity, operations, and carefully targeting the right properties have become increasingly important. Despite more competition, Ron and Daniel believe the opportunities in land investing have actually expanded, and they're seeing experienced investors have some of their best years by adapting to how the business works today.

Watch the full episode to hear Ron and Daniel break down how land investing has changed since 2020, what works in 2026, and where they see the biggest opportunities moving forward.