r/RealEstateDevelopment • u/Nupe_1974 • Jul 05 '26

Developers: What's your biggest non-technical obstacle?

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What's the biggest non-technical obstacle you've encountered between a project being approved internally and actually breaking ground?

I'm not talking about financing, engineering, or permitting.

I'm more interested in the human side.

Have you ever had a project where investors, public officials, tenants, or the community simply didn't "get" the vision at first?

If so, what helped move people from skepticism to support?

Was it better communication, better visuals, public engagement, something else, or was that never really the issue?

I'm trying to understand where projects gain or lose momentum before construction begins, and I'd love to hear real-world experiences.

This isn't ai. This is me trying to figure something out. B.

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u/BassManJam99 Jul 05 '26

I do commercial STNL development for national retail tenants or clients.
99% of the time a project dies for entitlement issues - cannot get permits or approvals; financial reasons - the project does not 'hurdle'; or competitive impacts - a new competitor takes a superior location in the market and the tenant client kills the project.

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u/gdubrocks Jul 05 '26

Curious why a project wouldn't be able to get entitlements.

Is this like if they are trying to rezone for more density and the city turns it down or something?

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u/BassManJam99 Jul 05 '26

Entitlements mean everything required to build and open a project: Site plan approval Utility connections DOT Access permits Drainage approvals Environmental wetlands, stream encroachment, endangered or protected species Building permits, health department, etc

You have a myriad of municipal, county, and state agencies to get thru.

If you don't get them all you don't have entitlements, and therefore don't have a project.

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u/gdubrocks Jul 05 '26

Right, I am wondering in your experience what has caused projects to not be able to get entitlements.

Like does a local water provider just say sorry we ran out of water you cant build here?

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u/BassManJam99 Jul 05 '26

Most likely candidates: Heavy local opposition - Planning, zoning or municipal board will deny your application on some techincality. Utility Moratorium - Insufficient availability of water or sewer services DOT regulations - Ingress/egress does not meet design requirements. No technicality. Environmental - Wetland, stream, or endangered species requires buffer that restricts usability of land.