John Godbey

Real estate broker who sold over $100M in NYC - ATL - MIA. Now I’m into building them, helping the home supply, and sharing my knowledge about the process.

[John Godbey @johnmgodby]

I spent years as a real estate broker, selling $100M+ across NYC, Atlanta, and Miami.

Built a brokerage. Learned how housing works from the inside, what sells, what doesn’t, and what new policies break the system.

At some point, selling wasn’t enough.

Today, my focus is on building homes, places, and experiences that reflect how people actually live now. Increasing supply. Questioning outdated rules. Exploring better ways to build in cities, suburbs, and places everyone else ignores.

This account is me documenting that process in real time:

• Residential & commercial development
• Land, construction, and feasibility
• Housing policy, affordability, and regulation
• Market cycles, investing, and risk
• New ideas for hotels, retail, and mixed-use spaces

This isn’t a feed of answers, it’s a place to think out loud, test ideas, and challenge assumptions.

If you’re building, investing, studying development, or curious about a specific asset class, jump in.

Ask questions. Disagree. Agree. Share ideas.

This account exists to document the process, pressure-test ideas, and rethink how real estate gets built today.

[John Godbey @johnmgodby]

@bobbyfijan The future

[John Godbey @johnmgodby]

@TheFortressInc Had about 3 copper heads on the lot I just cleared 😊

[John Godbey @johnmgodby]

@bobbyfijan Ageeed

[John Godbey @johnmgodby]

Follow to learn more!

[John Godbey @johnmgodby]

Everyone who sees this piece of land thinks they are getting the whole thing. But…

In reality it’s less than you think. Let me explain…

[John Godbey @johnmgodby]

Final number: 1.6 acres purchased. Roughly 0.5 acres where a house and septic system can actually go.

It’s not a bad lot, great opportunity for a home, but even with a soil report there is no guarantee for septic until you submit your application and get an approval for a permit.

[John Godbey @johnmgodby]

I called him after that text to see what’s up, and his exact words “I spoke to you, and told you what I needed, and you are passing me to another person wasting my time…” and that “I don’t get it.”

I told him, I passing you to them cause they are going to pay you. And I am going to send you what you requested.

I then told him, I think we got off on the wrong foot…

“We did, I have a lot to do, you’re just wasting my time.” (Hangs up)

It felt like, he took whatever I did personal for some weird reason.

Then I checked him on google and saw he has two star reviews on google 😂 read them and makes complete sense.

Oh well, guess I won’t ever use him for any projects…

[John Godbey @johnmgodby]

A 60 second convo with an engineer, lead to a quote and me connecting him to the agent who is going to get him paid.

To him saying he is not interested anymore because “I’m wasting his time.”

At first I liked how readily available he was, and thought he can help on my future projects based on his pricing.

And then this happens… crazy how the universe works. Just glad it happened now and nothing crazy later.

[John Godbey @johnmgodby]

@bobbyfijan Makes sense

[John Godbey @johnmgodby]

I thought the same with the free months, especially in NYC. But honestly here in GA there are neighborhoods that front load the free months at the beginning of the lease. Which is honestly crazy!

There is a new BTR single family community in Canton, GA that is offering something similar for three year leases, from “base rent”, but there is an HOA fee on top of the base.

But I’m curious why a lender wouldn’t like it.

[John Godbey @johnmgodby]

@petrogustavo Wait, aren’t Colombians who live outside of the country still responsible for Colombian taxes?

[John Godbey @johnmgodby]

@asampayo Aren’t those who live outside of Colombia still responsible for colombian taxes?

[John Godbey @johnmgodby]

I honestly feel like at some point wonder why they didn’t just build their own home, hire a builder, and go through the entire process from A to Z to make sure they get a product they want.

[John Godbey @johnmgodby]

Sold a home I built in January and the new homeowner has done 4 home inspections.

How many has yours done during workmanship warranty year?