How Real Estate Developers Think

Cities are always changing: streets, infrastructure, public spaces, and buildings are constantly being built, improved, demolished, and replaced. But even when a new project is designed to improve a community, neighborhood residents often find themselves at odds with the real estate developer who proposes it. Savvy developers are willing to work with residents to allay their concerns and gain public support, but at the same time, a real estate development is a business venture financed by private investors who take significant risks. In How Real Estate Developers Think, Peter Hendee Brown explains the interests, motives, and actions of real estate developers, using case studies to show how the basic principles of development remain the same everywhere even as practices vary based on climate, local culture, and geography. An understanding of what developers do and why they do it will help community members, elected officials, and others participate more productively in the development process in their own communities. Based on interviews with over a hundred people involved in the real estate development business in Chicago, Miami, Portland (Oregon), and the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, How Real Estate Developers Think considers developers from three different perspectives. Brown profiles the careers of individual developers to illustrate the character of the entrepreneur, considers the roles played by innovation, design, marketing, and sales in the production of real estate, and examines the risks and rewards that motivate developers as people. Ultimately, How Real Estate Developers Think portrays developers as creative visionaries who are able to imagine future possibilities for our cities and communities and shows that understanding them will lead to better outcomes for neighbors, communities, and cities.

What does it take to be a successful real estate developer? Author John McNellis tells you how, sharing practical tips and advice from his wealth of experience over 35 years in real estate development. Like meeting with a mentor over coffee, McNellis entertains with witty anecdotes, and wisdom on how to take advantage of opportunities and avoid pitfalls. Offering humorous insights, the book covers the ins and outs of how to get financing, working with architects, brokers, and other professionals, how to make a good deal, and win approval for your project.

Explaining how finances drive each decision in the real estate development process, this helpful industry guide recognizes the complexities and significant risks of each project and illustrates how to reconcile conflicting elements to ultimately achieve success. A 36-year real estate development veteran, author Charles Long shares the practical information and personal insights that he has gained over the course of his career, and weaves relevant real world examples into the text, helping to clarify the principles necessary to effectively manage a project in today’s financial landscape. Ideal both for those starting out in real estate development and experienced professionals who want to learn the theory behind the practice, this book offers a different perspective on making the monetary decisions that are involved in property development projects.

This textbook provides an understanding of the development process in an eight-stage model of real estate development, including: finance and the effects of the markets; the history of real estate development; the development process, from ideas through to public/private development.

Real Estate Development and Investment A Comprehensive Approach Written by real estate industry veteran Stephen Peca, this timely guide skillfully outlines the various phases of the real estate development process and addresses some of the most important issues associated with this discipline. Using numerous illustrations and anecdotes, this book takes you through the development process, from historical considerations and idea formulation to financial feasibility and asset disposition, while covering the entire cycle of real estate development for various property types. Topics touched upon throughout these pages include: The key factors affecting demand for different land uses and development The interaction of market research, financing, planning, contract negotiation, marketing, leasing, and property management The need for universal, current, and broad knowledge The importance of ethics in the development process The role of different professionals and companies involved in the development process Environmental considerations in real estate development And much more Filled with in-depth insights and practical advice, this reliable resource will help you gain a firm understanding of the functional skills necessary to be successful in this field and familiarize you with several often-overlooked-but essential aspects of commercial real estate development.

This book provides readers with a basic understanding of the principles that underlie real estate development. A brief historical overview and an introduction to basic principles are followed by examples from practice. Case studies focus on how cities change and respond to the economic, technological, social, and political forces that shape urban development in North America. It is important to have a framework for understanding the risks and rewards in real estate investing. In measuring return, consideration must be given to both investment appreciation and the cash flow generated over the life of a project. In addition, metrics are presented that can be useful in assessing the financial feasibility of a real estate development proposal. This book also provides an overview of the forces of supply and demand that gauge the potential market for a new project. In determining the size of “residual demand”, estimates for population growth, family formation, and new development are important. All development projects fall under the auspices of one or several jurisdictions. Though every jurisdiction has different rules and procedures, basic knowledge of the planning process is critical to the success of all development projects regardless of location. Furthermore, all projects have a legal component. Basic issues of land ownership, property rights, property transfer, and land registration are reviewed, all of which need to be considered when a property is sold or purchased. This book also provides a primary on the design and construction process. In constructing a building, a team of experts is first required to design the architectural, structural, and heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems for a building. An overview is provided of each building system: wood, concrete, and steel. Critical to a successful real estate development, project management principles for the processes of design, bidding, and construction are explored, with close attention given to budgeting, scheduling, and resource management. Essential reading for anyone involved in the development of our built environment, this is a must-read introduction for students and professionals in architecture, urban planning, engineering or real estate seeking an approachable and broad view of real estate development and finance.

The #1 private developer in the U.S., Jorge Pérez reveals his billionaire secrets for power investors.BR Known as the King of Condominiums and the Steven Spielberg of Real Estate, top developer Jorge Pérez reveals his principles for achieving success in even the toughest real estate market through a clear, step-by-step process. Pérez specifies effective business tactics that will lead to evergreen profits, including: ? Key points to smart investing ? Cardinal rules for picking and building property ? Commandments on negotiating the best deal ? Valuable tips on securing equity ? Steps for successfully selling property Finally, Pérez explains how to manage and grow investments over the long term. Emphasizing the importance of staying flexible in an ever-changing market, Pérez offers personal anecdotes, key business philosophies, and top insider methods to inspire and motivate any investor or entrepreneur to achieve the ultimate success in real estate.

About the Book Thinking About Becoming a Real Estate Developer? is a guidebook meant to help others transition from having little or no experience in being a realtor to becoming a seasoned real estate developer. The author provides the reader with real-life examples, step by step guides, and answers to many questions that may come up in the day to day workings of a real estate developer. He also explores the elements of learning how to pursue the acquisition of properties that are not available or not yet for sale through his own successful process. About the Author Ted Ihde graduated from Bloomfield College Summa Cum Laude as an Academic All-American. At Bloomfield College, Ted played goalie for the men's soccer team. Ted's unique market skillsets stem from his experience in both banking and real estate. He founded a New Jersey-based mortgage company in 2000, where he served as president and licensee through the year 2007. His firm also held lending licenses in NY, KS, VA, NC, and PA. Moving on from his career in sales, Ted worked as a consultant for National Bank of Kansas City in Overland Park, KS, then as a Research Analyst for the CEO of NACA in Boston. As a real estate developer, Ted has secured new home-build city approvals - with 10-year tax abatements - for a real estate project that he is currently overseeing along with his partners.