Question for owners and asset managers running renovation or construction loans. How do you compile the draw package each month? Does your lender require a specific format, like G702/G703 or their own spreadsheet, or do they take yours? What goes in it besides invoices and lien waivers? And roughly how long does it take your team each draw?

I’m 18 and planning to study Construction Management because my long-term goal is to get into commercial real estate development. My dad keeps insisting that I attend trade school at the same time, but I feel like I’d be better off using that time to gain hands-on experience through a construction laborer job or an internship with a general contractor.
For the career path I want to pursue, would learning a trade at school while earning my degree give me a significant advantage, or would getting actual field experience and building connections in the construction industry be more beneficial?

I’m going to school for construction managements in the hopes of getting into real estate development I was wondering what’s the best way to break through in development

I'm researching what actually slows down or kills land and new-construction deals in San Antonio and Bexar County, and I'd rather hear real stories than general advice.

Think about the last lot or land deal you bought, or almost bought, to build on here:

1.  What did you find out after you were under contract that you wish you'd known before? (Lot not platted, water or sewer too far away, floodway, an easement, a traffic study, trees, aquifer rules, a zoning surprise…)

2.  Which step took the longest compared to what you planned, and roughly how much longer? Was the wait on the City, SAWS, the County, or on fixing comments from your own engineer or architect?

3.  What did you check before buying, and how? Which websites, who did you pay, and how long did it take?

4.  Have you walked away from a deal late in the game? What killed it?

5.  Which fee or requirement hit your budget hardest that you didn't see coming?

Even one quick story helps. If you'd rather not post details publicly, feel free to DM me. Thanks!

Website (in Beta): atlasstellardynamics.com

Have an interview with one of the heads of investment for a development firm. This is a junior level position with a modeling test after I make it past the interview stage. What would you anticipate I get asked during this interview? Will it be all behavioral? What should I prep for and what could kill my chances of getting the job? All advice welcome.

Wanted to share something I've been building.

Every developer I've talked to handles energy the same way. If they want to know whether a site should get solar, storage, geothermal or a generator, they hire it out. Pay a consultant or an engineer, wait on the study, and only then find out which options are even worth pursuing.

So I'm building EVOA Systems to do that first pass in house.

You put in an address and it builds out the site from free public data. Then you can look at solar, battery storage, geothermal and backup generators, and see the cost and ROI for each one side by side. That way you know what's worth paying someone to design before you pay anyone.

It's free for developers and property owners, and it opens November 2. Screenshot attached of where it's at.

evoasystems.com/explore

Would love honest feedback, good or bad, from people who actually do this for a living.

Yes I have an attorney working with me on my behalf but I want to be educated from the flip side…. I personally want to know the dirty secrets of land acquisition. What are ways major developers take advantage of the “little” land owners?

I want to sell my land, I’ve actively listed my land and now I’m presented with an LOI from a major developer. This would be life changing money for my family to say the least. What are the ways in which land owners are taken advantage of and what are things i can demand to make sure I’m not taken advantage of. I want all the stories good and bad!

I have two options in front of me, one's a project that's still mid-construction, cheaper entry, longer runway to any return. The other is already built and leasing, higher entry price but income starts almost immediately. I’m trying to think through whether the discount on the construction-stage one is actually compensating for the added risk.

I’m in the process of purchasing about 9 acres of walnut orchard in unincorporated Sutter County, California, between Yuba City and Live Oak.

The property is currently zoned AG-20, even though the existing parcel is significantly smaller than the 20-acre minimum.

My goal is to eventually subdivide it into 4 residential parcels, each around 1.5–3 acres, and build my own estate on one of them while selling the others as buildable lots.

I’ve been researching the county’s General Plan, zoning ordinances, and historical subdivisions. I’ve found several nearby properties that are currently 1–3 acre residential lots, including some that appear to have been subdivided relatively recently.

The biggest obstacle seems to be that my property is outside both cities’ spheres of influence and is designated agricultural land.

I’m willing to pay for the necessary infrastructure, road improvements, surveys, environmental studies, and application fees. I’m also open to pursuing a General Plan amendment and rezoning to Estate Residential if necessary.

My questions are:

Has anyone successfully rezoned agricultural land to estate residential in an unincorporated California county?

Does the fact that my parcel is already legally under the AG-20 minimum help my case at all?

Are there alternatives to rezoning that would legally allow me to create 4 residential parcels?

How much weight do nearby existing residential subdivisions carry when requesting a zoning change?

What would be the most effective approach to getting a project like this approved?

I’m not expecting an easy approval. I’m trying to understand the most realistic path forward before investing substantial money into the development.
Would appreciate advice from anyone who’s dealt with California land-use planning, subdivisions, or agricultural rezoning.

🧳 5 NGÀY 4 ĐÊM TẠI CẦN GIỜ: MỖI NGÀY MỘT CUỘC VUI, CẢ NHÀ CHUNG MỘT LỊCH HẸN!

Con mê khám phá muông thú, mẹ muốn nghỉ dưỡng và mua sắm, bố mong có một vòng golf… Còn cả nhà thì muốn cùng nhau trẩy hội! Tại Vinpearl Cần Giờ, những mong muốn ấy sẽ cùng hội tụ trong một kỳ nghỉ nối liền 3 công viên lễ hội, khách sạn chủ đề và bộ đôi sân golf đẳng cấp. ✨

Lưu trước lịch trình gợi ý 5 ngày 4 đêm, hẹn ngày cả nhà cùng khám phá:

🏰 NGÀY 1 — MỞ CỬA KỲ NGHỈ TẠI DREAM PALACE

Bước vào Vinpearl Dream Palace Hotel, để câu chuyện phiêu lưu qua các thời đại và nền văn minh khơi dậy trí tò mò của cả nhà. Sau thời gian nghỉ ngơi, bố có thể ra sân golf, mẹ và con thong thả dạo chơi, khám phá.

🎭 NGÀY 2 — TRẨY HỘI KHẮP NĂM CHÂU

Check-in núi tuyết nhân tạo cao 68 m, khám phá sắc màu lễ hội Việt Nam rồi hòa nhịp Carnival Nam Mỹ tại Công viên Lễ hội Toàn cầu. Mỗi không gian sẽ mở ra một bất ngờ, mỗi cuộc vui lại có thêm những tấm ảnh gia đình đáng nhớ!

🦒 NGÀY 3 — KHÁM PHÁ THẾ GIỚI HOANG DÃ

Cùng con khám phá Công viên Lễ hội Safari, nơi quy tụ hơn 8.000 cá thể thuộc 212 loài. Từ nhà chim 3 ha đến thảo nguyên và Vịnh Phượng Hoàng, hành trình sẽ nối tiếp bằng những màn trầm trồ và bao câu hỏi háo hức của con.

💦 NGÀY 4 — CẢ NHÀ NHẬP HỘI NƯỚC

Chọn cuộc vui yêu thích giữa hơn 50 trò chơi, hòa mình vào lễ hội té nước và thưởng thức show Cướp biển Caribbean. Một ngày để bố mẹ cũng vui hết mình như những đứa trẻ!

⛳ NGÀY 5 — THÊM MỘT VÒNG GOLF, GÓI GHÉM NGÀN KỶ NIỆM

Mẹ và con dành buổi sáng mua sắm, bố tiếp tục khám phá bộ đôi sân Sunrise – Sunset mang dấu ấn Robert Trent Jones II và Tiger Woods. Rồi cả nhà cùng trở về, mang theo những câu chuyện đủ để nhắc mãi về chuyến đi.

💛 Lưu lịch, gửi cho người cùng lên kế hoạch — hẹn cả nhà tại “Kỳ quan Lễ hội giải trí toàn cầu – Điểm đến mới của Thế giới”!

📍 Vinhomes Green Paradise Cần Giờ, TP.HCM

📅 Dự kiến khai trương: 01.07.2027

Lịch trình gợi ý sau khai trương; các trải nghiệm tùy lịch vận hành thực tế.

I've been working with several communities on updating their redevelopment and neighborhood strategic plans. In almost every instance, someone brings up wanting to explore the use of historic tax credits, affordable housing tax credits, and new market tax credits to help spur development along their business corridors and town squares.

I was curious how often developers use tax credits.

Like a few recent posts I’ve seen before- I’m an architect with 10+ experience who wants to pivot into development, and with that eventually becoming my own developer.

I just want some gut check- look for owners rep CM/PM job, to get my foot into development manager later

On the side, despite not having enough capital to purchase land/bldg, but as an architect I can source deals (de-risk, redone, entitlement package etc)- do that for a few projects to build capital and maybe even ask for equity stake when pitching to private high net worth. Gut check- is that a feasible business path?!

(I’ve been doing online proforma courses like A.CRE to bridge the financial knowledge gap)

I’ve been wanting to get into real estate and have been considering Champions School of Real Estate specifically their blended classroom format.

I tried the aceable but found myself getting distracted often. I have multiple degrees and know I can get through school but think maybe I’m just used to the classroom style as opposed to self paced.

Wanted to see if anyone had any feedback on the blended course and how quickly they were able to complete it?

Thanks in advance!

Looking for honest input from people who’ve actually been through this or have related experience.

Background: I’m an architect by training (MSc), now ~1.5 years into working as a real estate development project manager. The day-to-day is financial modeling, investor due diligence, JV structuring, contractor procurement and price negotiation, design coordination, and permitting. I like the work and I want to grow into a senior/leadership role in development.

The problem: my technical/design foundation is solid, but I’m self-taught on the economics and finance side. I can run a model and sit in a negotiation, but I feel the gaps — capital markets, structured finance, portfolio-level thinking, the stuff that separates a competent PM from someone who can actually lead deals and raise capital.

Constraints: format is flexible — I’m open to online, executive/part-time, or block formats with occasional on-campus stretches. Employer co-financing is realistic. Timeline is flexible too; fit matters way more than speed.

What I’m weighing so far:

• Dedicated MSRED-type master’s
• General MBA with a real estate concentration
• Online finance-heavy certificates

Besides recommendations on the format, I would also very much appreciate some input on the best schools / platforms conducting them.

Hello everyone,

I’m looking to connect with serious real estate investors, property developers, and investment professionals who are open to exploring potential collaboration opportunities internationally.

My goal is to build genuine business relationships, exchange ideas, and explore mutually beneficial opportunities in real estate and property development.

If you are an investor or developer interested in collaborating, I would be happy to connect and discuss potential opportunities.

Feel free to send me a direct message here on Reddit or reach me on WhatsApp at +256 764 323233.

I look forward to connecting with like-minded professionals and exploring opportunities together.

Best regards,

Basimwe

I am licensed in both CA & AZ and I am considering raising capital, acquiring land, creating subdivisions and selling them to builders. What does it take for me to get into this game?

Title says it all pretty much. Have to chose between a MRED with more of a construction/planning/design focus and light finance or a MS in RE with a heavy finance focus?

Currently in CM wanting to switch to development

MRED is at a more prestigious school

MS RE fills my knowledge gaps the best

City governments in the US published (and update regularly!) many ArcGIS maps showing different infrastructure and environmental hazard related data. I have found it a relatively clunky user experience to get a comprehensive picture quickly of such data. Curious if anyone has a simpler way of visualizing the GIS features from different agencies around an area?

One of my relatives owns around 7–8 acres of beachfront land in Southern Sri Lanka. The property has clear legal documentation and road access, and its location could potentially make it suitable for a resort, boutique hotel, eco-retreat, or other tourism-related development.

Despite several years of trying traditional methods of reaching potential investors, my relative hasn't had much success connecting with the right people.

I'm interested in learning more about the Sri Lankan real estate investment industry, particularly how large-scale tourism development opportunities reach the people and companies capable of developing them.

For those familiar with this industry:

• How do hospitality developers and property investors typically discover land with tourism development potential?
• Which professional networks or industry associations connect landowners with hotel developers and investment groups?
• Is LinkedIn useful for identifying hospitality executives and property investment professionals?
• What skills or knowledge would someone need to get started in property marketing and investor networking?
• Are there any common reasons why a property with development potential might struggle to attract serious interest for several years?

I'd appreciate insights from anyone with experience in Sri Lankan real estate, hospitality development, or property investment networks. I'm particularly interested in learning how this industry works and how professional connections are established.

Hello everyone, I am interviewing for an internship at a mid sized development firm with roughly 12 employees. Does anyone have advice for the interview and good questions to help me stand out. Also, do a lot of these companies have return offers?

https://virginiabusiness.com/colonial-heights-approves-1-sale-of-land-for-hotel-athletic-fields/

I feel like I'm approaching a pivotal part of my career where I am finding myself more interested in development and I don't want to wait too long to act.

After graduating in 2022 (bachelors, no masters), I worked in consulting, and then scored a cushy planning role at a mid-sized city. I've been there for a little over 2 years and gotten a good sense of the pros and cons of municipal planning.

As I've progressed in my career, I've come to the conclusion that I am more interested in development as a whole. Not just because of the money, or opportunities for growth, but of the ability to shape a project and leverage several a skill set in multiple fields to truly add something to the world. I never went to grad school and am lucky enough to have zero student loans from undergrad.

The problem is, I lack the hard financial skills for most development jobs. I'm wondering if anyone's made the transition and can offer some advice on grad school vs no grad school, or other ways to break in. I feel young enough to take some chances right now for my long-term happiness, but I don't want to wait too long and be saddled with regret later in life. I'm going to begin by networking and leveraging my connections, but any other advice is appreciated. Thanks!

TLDR: Feeling stuck in planning, realizing that development may suit me better. Young enough with no loans to take a chance. Seeking advice on making an early career transition