From Developer to Home Builder: How Epcon Franchising Helped EJ Sansone Scale His Business

Epcon Franchise Builders are experienced home builders and developers looking to scale their businesses. One of our builders, EJ Sansone , co-owner of Reisch Sansone Communities , initially found his way into residential development from a different industry. His journey from attorney to developer to home builder is a testament to the opportunities Epcon provides for business owners seeking to expand within the home building market.

A Unique Path to Home Building

EJ’s career began in multifamily development, where he spent four years working for an apartment developer before stepping out on his own. While initially focused on commercial real estate, he saw an opportunity in an 11-acre site near his home. His original plan was to entitle the land and sell it to a home builder, but during that process he discovered Epcon.

“There was another Franchise Builder in our county, and we stopped by his development, beautiful homes, and we learned that there was a franchise opportunity with Epcon,” EJ recalls. “After learning about Epcon, we reached out, had a call with Jad Buckman, CFE , and the rest is history.”

Overcoming Challenges with Epcon's Support

Despite his development background, EJ was initially hesitant about home building. “I didn’t have any real interest in building residential because I knew nothing about it. Apartment development is very different from for-sale home building,” he explains. However, Epcon’s proven systems and resources gave him the confidence to take the leap.

“Learning what Epcon provided reassured me that I could move forward with actually building homes. The sales process is one of the most complex parts of home building, but Epcon had a number of floor plans that were already successful in our market. That gave us confidence that our project would sell.”

Building Success with Epcon

EJ’s first Epcon project, The Courtyards at BaratHaven in Dardenne Prairie, MO, consists of 47 lots and has seen sales progress steadily despite the challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. “Epcon was a great resource for us in working through those ups and downs,” he says. Today, his community is over halfway sold. Looking ahead, he is already exploring future development opportunities with Epcon.

Working with Epcon Home Buyers

One of EJ’s favorite aspects of his Epcon journey has been interacting with the home buyers themselves. “I love our home buyers. They’re great people and I’ve developed personal relationships with many of them,” he shares. “Our product almost sells itself. We don’t typically sell to first-time home buyers, so we don’t have to deal as much with financing challenges. Many of our buyers are cash buyers who are downsizing and know exactly what they want.”

Advice for Prospective Franchise Builders

One of the biggest benefits EJ has experienced since joining Epcon is the freedom that comes with owning his own business. “Starting an Epcon franchise gave me the opportunity to be my own boss. It provided the financial freedom and flexibility I was looking for,” he says. “I enjoy what I do, and I get to be part of the home building process, working with our buyers and team—it’s been a really pleasant experience.”

EJ’s story shows how Epcon empowers home builders to enter a new market with a proven product and extensive support. Whether you’re an experienced developer or exploring a new opportunity in home building, Epcon Franchising provides the tools and expertise to help you scale your home building business. Get started here.