Getting into the ground-up development game takes three things: knowledge, capital, and execution.

Knowledge – You need to understand site selection, zoning, permitting, construction management, and financing. It’s a different beast than flipping or value-add deals. Study successful developers, learn the process, and get familiar with tools like ProCore to manage projects efficiently.

Capital – Ground-up projects require serious funding, whether it’s your own money, investor capital, or construction loans. The key is structuring deals creatively—using land entitlements, joint ventures, or seller financing to reduce upfront cash needs.

Execution – This game is won or lost in execution. Can you manage architects, engineers, and contractors? Can you anticipate problems before they blow up your timeline? Systems are everything. If you can’t execute, you’ll burn cash fast.

My advice? Start small. A duplex, a small retail building—something manageable. Learn the process, build the right team, and scale from there. If you’re serious about getting in, surround yourself with people already doing it, and take action. The best way to learn? Get in the dirt and start building.

I’ve spent years in the trenches developing real estate, running construction projects, and optimizing operations with tools like ProCore. I know what it takes to scale because I’ve done it—and now I help others do the same, faster and smarter.

I’ve completed 140 doors across a mix of single-family and multifamily projects, with a total value well over $40 million. Every project has been a lesson in execution, efficiency, and scaling the right way—and I’m just getting started.

Ground-up development follows a structured process, and every phase matters. It all starts with understanding the zoning code—knowing what can and can’t be built on a given site. Once you’ve identified a viable piece of land, you tie it up under contract while conducting feasibility studies, environmental reports, and initial design work. Next comes permitting and pre-construction, where you finalize plans, secure approvals, and line up financing. Once permits are in hand, you move into site work—excavation, grading, and infrastructure like utilities and roads. Then it’s on to foundations, framing, and vertical construction, where the building takes shape. From there, it’s all about mechanicals (HVAC, plumbing, electrical), interiors, and final finishes before inspections and certificates of occupancy. Every phase has its challenges, but with strong systems and the right team, you can keep projects on time and on budget. The key? Master each phase and build with precision.