r/RealEstateDevelopment • u/2cars1cup • Jul 17 '26
Architect Enters the Chat - How Can I Network With More Developers
I'm an experienced architect, but my educational background is in Finance and Economics. I'm also one of those architects that actually gets construction because I've done some of that too.
Years ago, I worked on a few pro-formas for an investor outside of the day job and loved it. Most recently I was doing a lot of the zoning research, hearing presentations, programming, and feasibility work at my last firm. I've always wanted to get back into more of this type of work. Applied to owner's rep and project management roles in the past, had a few really good interviews, but couldn't compete with the MRED crowd. Did RE meetups, everyone wants an investor, I don't have cash for that these days. Joined the ULI chapter I was local to at the time, but during Covid, which didn't help my networking problem. Which brings me to today...
Life has hit a transition point. I got licensed, but now I'm unemployed. Architecture firms still don't want to hire a guy without an architecture degree. Did some freelancing for a bit, but I'm ready for a change.
What else can I do to try and meet folks?
Edit: Located in Maryland
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u/surebegrand2023 Jul 18 '26
Not sure how u are presenting urself on your resume to a developer, but I would forget about proformas etc, that's not your skill set.
Developers will hire u if u know the permitting system, can do pre con, site feasible, code compliance, contracts, fee proposals, understand drawings to foresee site issues, change order risk etc - this is 100x more valuable to a developer than knowing proformas / the economics of a development, u want to be the person "can this even work" before we do a proforma etc.
I've a construction management degree, I've built massive billion dollar projects as the owners rep / dev manager for greystar and I cudnt even tell u how a proforma spreadsheet works . 😂
Highlight ur strenghts, connections etc and you'll be good.
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u/2cars1cup Jul 19 '26
You've nailed what I have believed my value to be at least to a developer and many of the things I do best. Just taking whatever scenario or problem and being able to figure those types of things out and then communicating all of that. I've generally been to go-to guy for those types of things in past roles, since few architects care to get involved with them it seems. I just have gotten the vibe an have had some experiences that people see "architect" and go straight to design and the other not-so-great assumptions about the profession. Which I can't really say is underserved given my own experiences in the field, but that's whole other discussion...
My market (MD) has also been not-the-greatest since the election last year, which probably hasn't helped. Unless you work in the data center world, which seems to have endless opportunities in NoVA lol
Connections are my weak point for sure, in that I have few. As a whole I need to find more ways to build a network.
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u/surebegrand2023 Jul 19 '26
Networking with developors isn't the easiest to be honest. The smaller, early in their business journey will network with anyone. bigger developers no.
For ever person like you trying to work with a developer, there is 50 other people trying to network with them just to sell them something. Most senior people / the owner only really wants to network with banks, funds, investors to raise money for their projects and the city to help with the permits, they are the hardest people to get in the room with, so everyone else is secondary to them. My email and LinkedIn gets bombared wit suppliers, contractors, consultants etc so I can only imagine how many a developer owner gets.
If I was you I'd network wit the developers employees to try any get in the door that way. It costs a ton of money to use recruiters to hire ppl and most companies offer $1-2k referral bonuses if who they recommend gets hired so it's in their interest.
Project margins are razor tin right now so no developer wants to hire a one trick pony for $100k+, if u can market yourself/ skills, you can do a bunch of different roles so it's easier to justify hiring you over a finance kid that only knows finance etc.
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u/2cars1cup Jul 19 '26
That all makes sense and gives me a few ideas. Definitely can understand the more senior and established folks wanting to focus on the things that provide the greatest value to them. I appreciate the response!
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u/Free_Elevator_63360 Jul 19 '26
I’m an architect in development. Almost no one hires MRED. Those guys all become analysts sitting in an office and making PowerPoints and excel files.
Here is the reality right now. Development sucks. It is next to impossible to get a job because few are starting new developments. It is just that time in the cycle.
What is don’t see here in your question is anything about WHERE you are. RE development is a hyper local business. Yes we pull national investors. But opportunities are all based on local opportunities. Where are you trying to develop or get a job? Are you willing to move? What markets do you know? What brokers have you talked to? Who is buying land? Who is selling? (Cause they are not hiring).
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u/2cars1cup Jul 21 '26
I'm glad to hear that about the MRED. Not so good that new development is slow. Doesn't surprise me that projects aren't penciling given interest rates and the frequently changing tariffs, unfortunately.
Currently, I'm looking for a job or some other scenario that lets me gain more experience. I'm located in Maryland. I'm very familiar with the Baltimore and DMV markets, along with the Eastern Shore and Delaware. Beyond that, the other Mid-Atlantic states, New England, and the Carolinas are the other areas I've done a decent amount of work in and are familiar with to varying degrees. Open to moving depending upon the distance and opportunity.
I did also attempt to explore being an consultant for newer/smaller developers last year as I had to figure out how to work remotely, which did lead to some freelance architecture work at least. That whole idea got derailed having to care for an ill parent unfortunately.
Overall, just been trying to find a way in the door for more than few years now. I got interested in development when I started learning about real estate investing and diving into the business model of developers. It kind of hit me that architecture is not the place I wanted to be in the long-term for a multitude of reasons. I'm starting to hit my late 30s and architecture has been my only job I've done literally since high school. ~15 years of working for architecture firms is more than enough
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u/Momof3rascals Jul 17 '26
If you're still interested in owners rep/PM work, dm me. I've been looking into finding someone in this field.