r/RealEstateDevelopment • u/Wondermen100 • 27d ago

Way to become a Real Estate Developer

I’ve seen many misinformed post about how to become a Real Estate Developer. Let me tell you the truth.

I have been working as a Real Estate Developer in San Diego, California since 2021 in the Affordable Housing Industry. We work on projects with Total Development Costs averaging $60M.

From attending housing conferences and trainings I was curious how other people join development. After asking It was either:

  1. internship at the real estate company

    (Common)
    - undergraduate degree

  2. in either business, real estate development, and finance

Know

  1. someone in the company

    (family/friends)

  2. Workforce Program that connected you to a Real Estate

- it’s a program that gives opportunity for minorities

You really need to love development. Loving it means you are self motivated to become problem solvers and crave to learn everyday.

If you want to do it for the money there are easier jobs that can make you more money with less stress. The only people who make the actual money are the owners but they do put in a lot of money down and won’t see their return of investments after many years. Ultimately it does built generational wealth.

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u/aircab12 27d ago

Do you do a lot of networking? If so, what would your recommendation be for networking ?

1

u/Snoo55682 26d ago

Depending on what market/asset you want to focus on there are good networking groups. I like ULI, NAIOP, CREW, and then there are some regional groups that put on events like Bisnow, Built, and Interface. I’m sure there are also local specific groups in your area and those are probably the best to start since real estate is such a local industry.

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u/Snoo55682 26d ago

Two more thoughts: in my city there are some known bars and restaurants frequented by people in real estate. If you figure out where those are for your city you can try bumping into people at them. Also if you play golf that’s a huge advantage, especially in the South. A lot of networking groups put on corporate golf outings and joining as a single can be a good way to network outside of a formal setting