How One Broker’s Framework Helps Investors Move Beyond ‘What-If’ Thinking in Real Estate

Written by:

Rudi Davis

Date:

07 Oct 2025

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Sacramento real estate veteran Johnny Jennings is challenging conventional wisdom about real estate decision-making, advocating for an ‘even if’ approach rather than the traditional ‘what if’ mindset that he says leaves buyers vulnerable in uncertain markets.

The Even-If Framework

“Don’t make decisions based on what if, what if prices go down, what if interest rates go up,” says Jennings, co-founder of Made 4 More Realty. “We suggest you make decisions based on even ifs, even if prices go down, even if interest rates go up, you’re still protected.”

This perspective shift, Jennings argues, helps buyers make more resilient investment decisions in a market showing significant volatility. His team has observed regional price declines of 5.8% year-over-year, with June 2025 marking the lowest sales volume since 1999.

Building in Protection

According to Jennings, the ‘even if’ strategy requires buyers to consider multiple scenarios when purchasing. “If you’re looking to purchase a home as your primary residence, make sure that you’re purchasing it at a price point or with enough money down that should you need to relocate, you’re able to rent it out.”

For investors, the approach demands even more rigorous analysis. “Make sure that your person has seen it, that even if prices go down further and you’re looking to make do the flip, that you’re still going to be protected,” Jennings advises.

Market Context Driving New Thinking

The need for this new framework is particularly acute given current market conditions. “The age-old adage is the best time to plant a tree was 30 years ago. Second best time is right now,” Jennings says. “If you’re looking to make a move, just make sure you’re making those moves with the long game play in mind.”

Made 4 More Realty’s Implementation

Jennings’s team helps clients apply this framework through a disciplined and data-driven process. It begins with a comprehensive rental market analysis to identify stable demand and sustainable returns, followed by conservative price point selection to safeguard against market fluctuations. The approach also emphasizes long-term hold scenario planning, allowing investors to understand how different market cycles could affect performance. Finally, the team develops clear exit strategies to ensure flexibility and protect client capital throughout the investment lifecycle.

“If you’re going to move in two to three years, I would not recommend purchasing a home unless you have that ‘even if’ strategy in mind,” Jennings cautions, emphasizing the importance of building in safety margins rather than hoping for best-case scenarios.