Kris Krohn Review: Lease Option Strategy and Alternative Models

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Kris Krohn is well-known in the real estate industry for his innovative investment strategies. His “lease option” strategy teaches you to control property while earning monthly with little to no money down. Krohn’s preferred strategy is to build wealth through long-term real estate. He advocates a buy-and-hold approach to create a portfolio of income-generating assets. Kris is also known for his educational programs. He offers many courses and partnership programs.

Reviews for Kris Krohn and his services are mixed with a 3.2/5 rating on Trustpilot, 3.1/5 on Indeed, and 1/5 on Glassdoor. Most positive reviews commended Kris’s effective training and helpfulness as a partner. Negative reviews cite refund issues, poor support, and low performance of Kris’s team.

Kris Krohn says that “If you invest the right way, it doesn’t matter what the market is doing.” I disagree with that statement as the market is as important as your investing strategies. It’s still smarter to look for evergreen markets to invest in instead of volatile ones.

In my opinion, real estate investing with lease options as taught by Kris Krohn is like stepping onto the frozen surface of Lake Baikal at the end of winter. Everything looks solid once the option fee and premium rent arrive, yet one hidden crack from a tenant-buyer who stops paying can turn quiet stability into a rescue mission as you scramble through missed payments, damage, and a messy exit. It’s also like navigating the Bosporus Strait under shifting maritime rules. One authority treats your paperwork as a simple lease, and another argues it resembles a disguised sale, so a small drafting error or change in regulation drags you into longer timelines, extra compliance, and additional legal costs.

This article reviews Kris Krohn and explains his lease option strategy, real estate track record, SEC issues, and the mixed opinions investors and employees have about his partnerships and support. It also outlines his main programs (Lease Options Pro, 10X Real Estate, Real Estate Maverick, and Life Mastery University). The article ends with a comparison of traditional real estate to digital real estate, and contrasts Kris Krohn’s high-capital, high-risk approach with lower-cost models like local lead generation.

What Are the Pros and Cons of Kris Krohn?

ProsCons
Kris Krohn's lease option strategy creates short-term and long-term gains.The beginner's course is not as comprehensive as the competition.1
Kris' strategy is a great alternative for those who do not have the capital to put large down payments.There are a lot of additional costs when working with Kris Krohn and his team.
You can take the role of a passive investor by joining Kris Krohn's turnkey real estate program.Kris Krohn has made exaggerated claims in the past.
PriceKris Krohn's real estate programs costs ranges from $197 to over $25,000. Partnering with Kris Krohn requires a minimum investment of around $50,000 to $70,000.
Refund PolicyKris Krohn's Lease Options Pro training bundle comes with a 90-day money-back guarantee with conditions.
ReputationKris Krohn has a mixed reputation.

What Is Kris Krohn’s Lease Option Strategy?

Kris Krohn’s lease option strategy combines seller financing and a purchase option with elements of a lease agreement. The strategy lets you control the property with little or no money down. You earn from closing the deal and from monthly rent. You also profit from the appreciation by exercising the purchase option at a later date. Here is the breakdown of the strategy:

  • Seller Financing Agreement: The seller, as the lender, will finance the buyer’s purchase of the property. In Kris Krohn’s strategy, the buyer pays the seller over time in rent and/or option fees.
  • Purchase Option Agreement: The buyer has the exclusive right to buy the property at a set price within a specified time. You or your tenants can buy the property at a set price during or at the end of the lease.
  • Lease Agreement: You, the buyer, lease the property from the seller and then sublease it to tenants. This lease sets the terms of the rental. It covers the rent, lease duration, and each party’s responsibilities.

What Do People Say About Kris Krohn?

Reviews are split when it comes to Kris Krohn. Half said his training programs helped them profit in real estate. Most reviews are from experienced investors who use Kris’s advanced strategies. The other half complains about Kris’s team’s lack of support. They are especially upset about the partnership programs and refunds.

A BiggerPockets user, Ryan Rice, said he had a great experience partnering with Kris John. He said that half the properties he partnered with Kris rented for more than projected. The other half rented for the estimates.

Shaun Sidey complained that Krohn’s team replaced the partnered deals multiple times. The team refused to issue any refunds, and Shaun has had trouble getting support. He expressed his disappointment and called Kris and his team a scam.

Employee reviews for Kris’s parent company, Uplife Group, are also mixed, with a 3.1/5 rating on Indeed. A former video editor’s review complained about a stressful, chaotic work environment. They highlighted the impossible turnaround times and poor management. A former employee noted on BiggerPockets that the investors take 100% of the risks by providing the funding. In contrast, Kris takes 50% of the returns.

Who Is Kris Krohn?

Kris Krohn is a real estate investor and educator from Orem, Utah. He has transacted over 6,500 real estate deals with an average ROI exceeding 34%. Kris Krohn founded Uplife Group, which runs his real estate training and services. He also wrote several books on real estate investing. His bestsellers include “The Strait Path to Real Estate Wealth” and “Time Machine: Five Decisions to Accelerate Your Success Timeline and Live a Thousand Lives.”

In 2003, while studying human development at Brigham Young University, Kris bought his first property. By the time he graduated in 2006, he had acquired 25 properties. He started offering turnkey real estate services in 2007. In 2015, he went all in on teaching others through his YouTube channel, live events, courses, and more.

Kris Krohn’s net worth is predicted to be around $80 million by the end of 2024. Kris is very active online and has built a large following. He has over 1.04M subscribers on his YouTube channel and over 654,000 followers on Instagram. Several publications, like Forbes and Miami New Times, have featured him.

SEC Complaints Against Kris Krohn

On July 6, 2012, the SEC charged Kris Krohn and two others with offering fraud. Kris and his accomplices, under Alpha Real Estate Holdings, ran four unregistered securities offerings from January 2009 to June 2011. The SEC said, “The four offerings raised about $11.9 million from 169 investors.” Kris and his associates claimed the properties were worth $15 million. In fact, they were worth $2.9 million to $12.2 million. They did not disclose that the $12.2 million value was based on unverified web valuations. They also did not disclose other valuations, including a $2.9 million estimate.

The parties settled the complaint on August 7, 2012. Kris Krohn and the other defendants agreed to do three things.

  1. They would inform their investors of the judgment.
  2. They would offer a full refund for those who wanted to withdraw from the investment.
  3. They would pay civil monetary penalties of $75,000 each.

Kris Krohn’s Real Estate Advice: Build or Buy A House in 2025?

Pros & Cons of Building a House in 2025

Building a house in 2025 lets you customize the design according to your needs and preferences. It also lets you use tech and energy-efficient materials to save costs. On the downside, it can be expensive because of rising construction material costs. This includes wood, concrete, insulation, steel, and electrical components. Also, prepare for construction setbacks and delays, which raise the total cost. Kris expects a steep increase in the overall cost of building a home. He estimates that building a home in 2025 will cost about 25% to 28% more than building pre-2020.

Pros & Cons of Buying a House in 2025

Buying a house in 2025 is cheaper than building one. It spares you from the risk of delays and additional costs from setbacks. Buying is the best option for those who want to move into a home right away. On the downside, house-hunting can be a daunting task, especially for the inexperienced. Ready-built homes may also not meet your every need and preference. You might need to do some renovations in areas that don’t meet your standard.

Kris’s Perspective: Build or Buy in 2025?

Kris says the 2025 real estate market is better for buying. He cited the high cost of materials and labor as the main reasons he advises buying, not building, homes. Kris also considers the drop in interest rates to boost demand for real estate. However, he emphasizes that this may not apply to all markets. Study your market to determine if you should build or buy.

What Are Kris Krohn’s Real Estate Programs?

Kris Krohn has 2 courses and 1 turnkey real estate investment program. You can also partner with Kris Krohn on top real estate deals 50/50 for a minimum investment of $50,000 to $70,000.

Kris Krohn’s Lease Options Pro is a training bundle that teaches his unique real estate investment strategy. This course is not for beginners. Lease Options Pro costs $997 of a 1 year access and comes with a 90-day refund guarantee. Included in the program are the following:

  • Lease Option Pro Digital Course
  • Lease Option Pro Digital Training
  • Deal Finder Pro
  • Custom Legal Contracts
  • Automatic Cash Flow
  • Game Plan Accelerator
  • Lease Option Handbook
  • Private FB Group

Kris Krohn’s 10X Real Estate teaches you the core foundations of real estate investment. The course comprises 12 content-packed videos that teach you Kris’ 10 real estate investment principles. You also get the recordings of Kris’ real estate conferences, the Deal Finder Pro Course, and a free consultation with Kris or his team. 10X Real Estate costs $197.

10 Principles:

  1. Safety Margin
  2. Risk Management
  3. Cash Flow
  4. Good Stewardship
  5. Winning Odds
  6. Dedicated Vetting
  7. Strategic Negotiation
  8. Appropriate Condition
  9. Optimization
  10. Compound Interest

Kris Krohn’s Real Estate Maverick is a done-for-you program. It lets you make money passively while his team does all the work. His 200+ person team will do the research, buying, and management of properties. You will take the role of a passive investor by providing capital. How much you earn depends on how much you invest and the program level you buy into. You can also earn by referring investors who are willing to put in $100,000+. To join Real Estate Maverick, you will need to spend $10,000 to $25,000 to join the program, $3,000 to $5,000 on acquisition fees, and more on various other fees.

What Is Kris Krohn’s Life Mastery University?

Life Mastery University gives you access to all of Kris Krohn’s courses and masterclasses. This includes the real estate training programs. It costs $4,997 to join. You can also buy the individual courses as a standalone. Below are the non-real estate courses included in Life Mastery University:

Kris Krohn’s The Art of Breakthrough is a 9-step mindset course. It teaches you to replace limiting beliefs with powerful, optimistic ones. They will drive you to succeed in life and business. The Art of Breakthrough costs $997.

Kris Krohn’s Partner Profits is a step-by-step guide. It shows how to find the best deals and attract investors in any business. You will learn how you can leverage other people’s money to start your own business. Partner Profits costs $997.

Kris Krohn’s Advanced Sales & Marketing is a brand-building course. It teaches how to generate leads and close sales using social media. You will also get Kris Krohn’s own sales scripts. Advanced Sales & Marketing costs $997.

Kris Krohn’s Self Made is a how-to course on creating and growing a YouTube channel. You will learn the tips and tricks that Kris Krohn used to grow his YouTube channel to over a million followers. The course appears to no longer be offered at the moment.

Digital Real Estate VS Real Estate

Investing in real estate is costly and risky. A popular alternative is digital real estate because of its lower costs and risks. To determine which one is best for your situation, here’s a comparison of digital real estate vs real estate investment.

  • Initial CostsTraditional: High (3.5%+ down payment, maintenance, taxes)
    Digital: Low ($1 domain, $40/month overhead)
  • Potential ReturnsTraditional: Steady, moderate returns + tax benefits
    Digital: Higher ROI possible (up to 10X per year)
  • Ease of ManagementTraditional: Hands-on (tenants, repairs, paperwork)
    Digital: Mostly hands-off once established
  • ScalingTraditional: Limited by money and location
    Digital: Unlimited growth potential, multiple properties
  • Main RisksTraditional: Market changes, property damage, and bad tenants
    Digital: Cyber threats, algorithm changes, and less regulation
  • Required SkillsTraditional: Real estate knowledge, property management
    Digital: Basic SEO, content creation, online marketing

Ways to Make Money Investing in Digital Real Estate

  • Local Lead Generation - Build and rank websites to capture leads for local service businesses. Rent the websites to local businesses to create passive income streams with minimal maintenance.
  • Domain & Website Flipping - Buy established domains/websites with good metrics and resell them for a profit. You can either improve or hold the undervalued sites until their value increases.
  • Affiliate Marketing - Earn commissions for promoting others’ products on your sites. You can promote the offers using various platforms and marketing methods.
  • Social Media & YouTube - Build or buy social media accounts and monetize them using various strategies. This includes ads, sponsored posts, merchandise, and affiliate partnerships.

These are only some of the most popular ways to make money investing in digital real estate . You should select the best one based on your skills and goals.

What Are Some Kris Krohn Alternatives?

  • Matt Beard’s Matt Beard Real Estate – A 5-day live training that teaches beginners how to find, negotiate, and close real estate deals using scripts, challenges, and a private community.
  • Adura Sanya’s The Sanya Method – A wholesale real estate course that shows investors how to generate off-market deals using targeted advertising to reach distressed sellers.
  • Desi Arnaz’s Note Investor University – A program focused on passive real estate investing through buying and managing mortgage notes instead of physical properties.

Final Verdict: Is Kris Krohn’s Lease Option Strategy a Reliable Way to Build Wealth?

Kris Krohn’s lease option strategy is a reliable way to build wealth for investors who understand real estate fundamentals because it offers control of property with limited upfront capital. His method, combining seller financing, a lease contract, and a future purchase option, lets you profit from monthly cash flow and long-term appreciation without formally owning the home. But while the approach is creative, success depends heavily on local market conditions, reliable tenants, and solid contracts. New investors may find the moving parts overwhelming and unpredictable.

Is Local Lead Generation a More Predictable Path Than Real Estate Lease Options?

In my opinion, local lead generation is a more predictable path than real estate lease options because it removes the financial, legal, and market risks that come with property agreements.

Comparing real estate investing with lease options to local lead generation is like guiding rafting expeditions through the Grand Canyon versus relying on an automated lighthouse at Cape Horn. Grand Canyon trips demand constant supervision, safety checks, and hands-on management every time a group launches, just like lease options require ongoing oversight of tenant-buyers, contracts, and the risk a single default can derail the whole plan. An automated lighthouse at Cape Horn shines every night and protects ships for years while needing only occasional maintenance. Local lead generation resembles a lighthouse because it sends motivated leads to local businesses on autopilot after the initial build and rank.

Why Does Local Lead Generation Create Passive Income Without the Risks of Physical Real Estate?

Local lead generation creates passive income without the risks of physical real estate because digital properties don’t require maintenance, financing, or market timing. You build a website once, rank it in Google, and rent the leads to a business owner who pays you monthly for new customers. There are no mortgages, no taxes, no repairs, and no equity partners, just recurring revenue from a fully digital asset you own outright. If you want dependable monthly income without the volatility of the housing market, digital real estate offers a clearer and safer path.

A client of mine is Downey Superior Roofing, 7607 Firestone Blvd Downey, CA 90241, 562-655-8885, https://downeysuperiorroofing.com/. When 5 of my leads closed for $3,325 in a month, I earned $66,500 from 5% commissions.

Check out local lead generation that builds digital properties that pay you month after month without buying physical real estate or managing tenants.

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