Frequently Asked Questions

About Red Leaf FAQs

  • What is Red Leaf Investments?

    Red Leaf Investments is the real estate development arm of the Johnson Family Office, specializing in master-planned communities built on exceptional land assets. We combine institutional expertise with long-term family office thinking to create premier developments across the United States.



  • Is RLI a family office-backed platform?

    Yes, RLI is the real estate arm of the Johnson Family Office, which shapes how we think about patience, discipline, and long-term results.

  • What kinds of projects does RLI focus on?

    We focus on high-end residential and commercial developments, especially “Tier 1” communities anchored by unique natural landscapes and thoughtfully designed amenities.

  • What values show up in how you operate?

    Our core values are excellence, stewardship, integrity, and innovation, and we try to make those obvious in the finished product, not just the pitch

  • What sets RLI apart from a typical developer?

    We’re built around a disciplined approach, efficient execution, and best-in-class systems so projects are simple for builders and buyers to purchase.

Development FAQs

  • What does “development” mean at RLI?

    Red Leaf Investments is the real estate development arm of the Johnson Family Office, specializing in master-planned communities built on exceptional land assets. We combine institutional expertise with long-term family office thinking to create premier developments across the United States.



  • Do you handle entitlements in-house?

    Yes, entitlement work is part of our integrated platform so we can move with speed and precision while keeping quality control tight.

  • What does vertical integration look like day to day?

    It means we have development and finance capabilities under one roof to reduce friction, tighten timelines, and protect the plan.

  • How do you choose where to build?

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  • How do you manage risk during development?

    We lean on disciplined execution, transparent operations, and a “stewards of capital” mindset at every phase.

Team & Capabilities FAQs

  • Who’s on the RLI team?

    Red Leaf Investments is the real estate development arm of the Johnson Family Office, specializing in master-planned communities built on exceptional land assets. We combine institutional expertise with long-term family office thinking to create premier developments across the United States.



  • Do you have technical planning capabilities?

    Yes, our capability set includes land planning, hydrology, engineering, and entitlement specialization.



  • Are you only a Texas team?

    We have deep roots in Texas markets, but the mindset is US-based and focused on building a durable platform over time.

  • How do you communicate with partners during a project?

    We aim for professional, data-driven, transparent updates so there are fewer surprises and faster decisions.

Investment Options

(1031, Debt, Equity, Mezzanine) FAQs

  • What types of investment opportunities do you offer?

    We structure opportunities across equity, debt, and mezzanine depending on the project and what fits the capital stack


  • Can you support 1031 exchange investors?

    Irreplaceable assets. You can build more subdivisions, but you can't create more riverfront land. The Brazos River corridor in North Texas has limited available frontage, strong demographic growth, and proven demand from both luxury homebuyers and builders. We've already validated the market with River Ranch on the Brazos, where we've sold lots in a challenging market. That gives us the expertise and track record to execute larger riverfront developments with confidence. Plus, our hydrology team understands water rights, floodplains, and environmental considerations better than anyone in the region.

  • Where does mezzanine fit?

    We started in 2020 with our first acquisition—80 acres in Midland's Greenwood area, which we developed and sold ahead of schedule. That same year, we acquired River Ranch on the Brazos and invested over $5 million in infrastructure to transform it into a premium master-planned community. While our real estate platform is relatively new, the Johnson Family has nearly a decade of experience building large-scale ventures in energy infrastructure and renewable development. We apply that same institutional rigor and operational discipline to every real estate project we pursue.

  • What does “multiple off-ramps” mean in plain English?

    It means we try to build flexibility into the development life cycle so investors can participate in different ways as a project matures.

Financing FAQs

  • What does “financing” mean on the RLI site?

    On the Red Leaf Investments site, "financing" means the capital structures and funding options offered to accredited investors for participating in their North Texas real estate developments, like land acquisitions and master-planned communities. This includes debt financing through first-lien secured loans on deals with conservative 32% loan-to-value ratios backed by prime assets such as Brazos River frontage, equity positions for direct ownership stakes alongside the Johnson Family Office, mezzanine options bridging senior debt and equity, and 1031 Exchange opportunities for tax-deferred investments. Everything targets institutional investors, family offices, lenders, and high-net-worth individuals chasing strong risk-adjusted returns, with full transparency and low average leverage around 32%.



  • Who do your financing solutions help?

    Our financing solutions are designed for real estate investors, developers, and partners who want flexible capital structures backed by experienced underwriting. Whether you’re pursuing a single property acquisition or scaling a portfolio, our programs help bridge funding gaps with customized debt or equity options.



  • Do you work with lenders and capital partners?

    Yes, lenders and capital partners are a core audience for us, and we design project information to be clear and decision-ready.

  • How early do you bring financing into a project?

    Red Leaf Investments brings financing partners into projects right from the land acquisition phase, using debt and equity capital to secure properties like their current 1,258-acre Brazos Riverfront opportunity before any development work begins. They structure first-lien debt positions (around 32% LTV) specifically for acquisition, with sponsor equity already committed to provide downside protection, then layer in construction financing later for horizontal/vertical phases as milestones hit. This early involvement lets investors lock in conservative terms on irreplaceable assets while building multiple exit paths from day one, like parcel sales or refinancing.


  • What should a lender expect from RLI?

    A straightforward story: disciplined execution, clean process, and transparent communication