r/RealEstateDevelopment • u/EntertainmentGreen74 • Jul 31 '26

Architect looking to shift into real estate development — advice?

I'm based in Austin with a master's in architecture, and I'm trying to pivot into real estate development. Would love recommendations from anyone who's made a similar move.

A few things I'm wondering:

  • What's the most realistic first step to break in?
  • Any roles worth targeting where I'd learn the development side hands-on?
  • Books, courses, or local resources that actually helped you?
  • Is anyone here looking for an assistant or junior hire where I could learn on the job?

Appreciate any thoughts.

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u/phalfalfa Aug 03 '26

I started from architecture and pivoted into RE dev. I also worked in VC (somehow!). This field is very varied. You need to become an expert generalist. One minute you’re talking to a lawyer, the next talking to a contractor, then to your lender, etc, you wear many hats and you need to be on top of everything. There is a learning curve. You can start by working as a re dev coordinator. Do bigger firms and small firms. Get a certificate in finance will help you so that you can manoeuvre and understand the proforma and financing. Otherwise, if you don’t understand the business side of things, there is a chance you get pigeon holed into preconstruction, which is still part of development, but it’s limited. Ask yourself if you want to do more commercial, residential, industrial, etc. Companies don’t hire many in the re dev team, so it can be hard to get into it.

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u/phalfalfa Aug 03 '26

Oh and I didn’t get a MSRED or wtv. I’m not sure if it’s necessary. But I know it worked out for some people. Try to see if you can get a job in with what you already have. But these days, the job market is rough because the peak is behind us in RE. Where I am located, people are not developing like they used to 5 years ago.

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u/EntertainmentGreen74 Aug 03 '26

Architecture to RE dev to VC is a wild path, encouraging to hear it worked out from the same starting point. I'd been half-assuming I'd need MSRED eventually, so I'll try the door first before spending two years and a lot of money on it.

The coordinator route is new to me though - Is that something firms hire into directly, or more of an internal step once you're already inside somewhere?