The Role of a Real Estate Developer and Project Manager

Introduction

If you want to have your own business in real estate but don’t have any experience in this field, you may be wondering how to become a real estate developer. Real estate development involves buying land and developing it into a residential, commercial, or industrial property.

This career opportunity is quite competitive. There is significant competition with other real estate development professionals for the same jobs. To be successful, you must be very organized, have excellent communication skills, and understand how to get the job done right.

Goals of a Real Estate Developer

The primary goal of a real estate developer is to develop a property into an attractive and profitable investment. This includes negotiating and purchasing land and any minor construction and improvements that must be done on the site.

Real estate developers oversee properties’ actual development and rehabilitation, ensuring that all necessary licenses are obtained. The building complies with local and state building codes. The property will be managed in an environmentally responsible manner. They also plan and execute projects from beginning to end, from the initial purchase of property to the actual renovation and sale after the project is completed.

Most real estate developers also work on multiple project types, including rehab properties, lease-purchase agreements, development projects of several buildings simultaneously, and large-scale developments. Additionally, they may hire property brokers and accountants to work with the tenants and owners of their developed properties.

Real Estate Developer Success

To be a successful real estate developer, you need to have some certification, associate’s degree, or certificate, or be employed in an office where you have important tools and knowledge of the real estate development processes. These include architectural drawings and plans, building analysis and safety codes, construction estimating and cost analysis techniques, contract writing, and negotiations.

Some other tools of the trade that a successful real estate developer will possess include: communication skills, business management, problem-solving techniques, teamwork abilities, time management, marketing, finance, and accounting skills. These are just a few of the essential tools required for the successful development process of any real estate project.

Project Management

Investors and lenders often prefer that real estate professionals hired to handle their projects submit a “Hire a Project Manager” application. The project manager is a key component of real estate development because they help the investor and the lender determine if the project will be a good investment.

The project manager is typically an experienced real estate professional with a strong knowledge of all aspects of commercial and residential real estate development. Investors may choose to hire project managers for smaller projects or as individual investors part-time when they are ready to develop their own real estate projects. Occasionally, you can find a real estate developer who also has significant experience as a project manager such as Damon Becnel.

The main advantage of hiring a project manager is that they will make all the decisions in the best interests of both the investors and the real estate investors themselves. For instance, a lending institution may not want to lend more money to a real estate developer unless they ensure that the project will be profitable. Therefore, it is in the lenders’ best interest to hire the most capable individuals with a proven track record of success. By using a project manager, investors ensure that they will receive a return on their investment.

Investors and Real Estate Developers

Investors can also use a real estate developer to find potential buyers for their properties. While it may be possible to find a buyer on one’s own by conducting private transactions, investors may find it more convenient to use a professional. The main advantage of using a real estate developer is that they will provide access to multiple listings and be experienced in locating and handling multiple listings.

When investors need to find properties to invest in quickly, they will often turn to a professional. In addition, investors should be aware that a developer can often locate properties that other real estate investors have missed out on; however, this advantage does depend on the type of real estate development that the developer is handling.

While many investors may not consider the services of a real estate developer when looking to invest in the housing market, there are several distinct advantages. For instance, real estate investors can help provide low-cost housing solutions. They can also reduce the risk of investing in the housing market by providing better financing terms than traditional lending sources. The last advantage refers to the potential use of real estate investors as a marketing strategy. If the investor makes good relations with property management companies, they may attract potential buyers that would not otherwise be able to afford the housing costs.

Conclusion

Whether or not you are willing to manage a property and develop neighborhoods, it can be beneficial to become involved in the housing industry. Investors who get started in this industry can often get a head start on their career by taking on some of the responsibilities themselves. Real estate developers should always try to understand their daily responsibilities before becoming involved in the housing market.