The We Buy Ugly Houses® Podcast

HomeVestors Just Made a Major Technology Move

In this episode of The We Buy Ugly Houses Podcast, Derek Douglas sits down with HomeVestors Chief Growth Officer Brandon Gebers to discuss one of the company's biggest technology moves in recent years: the acquisition of Blue Squid.
Why does this matter?
Because real estate investing is changing. Fast.
For years, many investors believed there wasn't enough opportunity on the MLS. The data told a different story. During HomeVestors' research, the team discovered that nearly 30% of flipped properties were purchased from MLS listings, while only a small percentage of HomeVestors acquisitions came from the same source. That gap revealed a major opportunity.
In this conversation, Derek and Brandon break down:
✅ Why HomeVestors acquired Blue Squid✅ How technology can help investors identify more opportunities✅ The role of AI and machine learning in property evaluation✅ Why MLS deals have been overlooked by many investors✅ How automation can reduce hours of manual work✅ The future technology strategy at HomeVestors✅ What this means for franchisees and investors moving forward
This isn't just about buying software. It's about creating new opportunities, improving efficiency, and building the future of real estate investing.
If you're interested in real estate investing, technology, acquisitions, business growth, or the future of the housing industry, this episode is for you.
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From Hobby to CEO: The Mindset Shift That Saved My Real Estate Business | Jeff Hotz

For 8 months, Jeff Hotz was technically a real estate investor — but he was running it like a hobby.
He had no deals. He had paper folders in the back seat instead of a CRM. He was watching the people he trained with close houses while he sat in his car wondering if he'd made a mistake.
Then something snapped.
In this episode, host Derek Douglas sits down with Jeff Hotz — Marine Corps veteran, 13-year We Buy Ugly Houses franchisee out of Columbus, Ohio — for an honest, no-filter conversation about the gap between wanting a real estate business and actually building one.

Zero Real Estate Experience to Full-Time Investor: The Mentor Blueprint

Most new real estate investors are chasing the wrong number. In this episode, host Derek Douglas sits down with two of We Buy Ugly Houses' top operators — Rob Sturrock (Milwaukee, 20+ years investing) and Brandon Higgins (Atlanta, started with zero experience) — to break down what actually works when you're starting out, scaling up, or trying to build a rental portfolio that funds the rest of your life. They get into: Why Brandon walked away from a cushy sales job he was "bored out of his mind" in — and how a single LinkedIn notification changed everything The painful pivot Rob made after older duplexes nearly killed his rental business (and the specific property type that became his goldmine) Why doing 30 deals a year now beats 50 — and the exit strategy shift that made it possible

The Motivated Seller Myth: Why Data Says It’s Not a Goldmine

Mike Oberholzer and Eli Fisher debunk the idea that "motivated sellers" are the main source of deals, showing data that true high-motivation categories (probate, pre-foreclosure) make up a tiny fraction of investor transactions. Instead, consistent profit comes from people-centered selling, disciplined follow-up, and strong systems.The episode explains how operator mindset, measurable funnels, and robust CRM follow-up convert leads over time, and why scaling requires processes, metrics, and a motivated team rather than chasing rare niche leads.

When a Flip Goes Wrong: What I Learned from a $16K Loss

Franchisee Asim Ghani walks through a challenging flip—what went wrong (overpaying, unexpected custom repairs, a failed sewer ejector pump, and high winter utility bills), how he minimized the loss, and the lessons he now applies: build bigger contingencies, target a 12–15% net profit, move quickly, and use flexible exit strategies and network support.This episode is brought to you by Sherwin-Williams, the trusted name in paint for over 150 years. Whether you're refreshing a single room or giving an entire property a new life, Sherwin-Williams has the colors and finishes to get it done right. Stop by your local store or visit SherwinWilliams.com to find your perfect shade today.

How Larry Gibbons Built a Real Estate Business, Not Just a Job

What does it really take to build a real estate business instead of just creating another job for yourself? In this episode of the We Buy Ugly Houses Podcast, Larry Gibbons, HomeVestors franchisee and Development Agent in Tucson, Arizona, shares how he went from having zero real estate experience to building what he calls a true real estate ecosystem. He talks about starting while still working a W-2 job, making uncomfortable decisions, hiring the right people, learning to delegate, and building a business that can keep moving even when he steps away.

From Boom to Balance: How Investors Are Adapting in Today’s Market

In Episode 3 of the We Buy Ugly Houses Podcast, Derek Douglas sits down with veteran real estate investor Lee Garland to talk about how the market has changed over the last several years and what investors need to do to stay ahead. From the COVID-era boom to today’s higher rates and tighter margins, Lee shares how he’s adjusted his buying, flipping, rental, and follow-up strategies to keep moving forward. They also dig into seller motivation, why relationships still matter, and how real estate can still be a people-first business.

Mistakes to Avoid in 2026 | Valuing Deals, Finding Sellers & Winning in a Tough Market

Episode 2 dives straight into the trenches of real estate investing with veteran investor Kyle Amerson, who’s been in the game for over a decade.
From accidentally becoming a landlord during the 2008 crash to building a full-time investing business, Kyle breaks down what actually separates beginners from those who survive and scale.
 

The Deal That Changes Everything: Spotting Opportunity in a Buyer’s Market

In this episode of the We Buy Ugly Houses Podcast, we sit down with longtime investor and HomeVestors development agent Britt Briscoe, who’s bought hundreds of homes across the country and built a reputation for spotting deals others miss.
As the market leans into buyer territory, Britt breaks down what’s really happening on the ground—especially in hot Sunbelt markets like Florida—and why this shift is creating some of the biggest opportunities investors have seen in years.