All Topics / Value Adding / What questions would you ask an expert developer?

Viewing 9 posts - 1 through 9 (of 9 total)
  • Profile photo of Jason StaggersJason Staggers
    Participant
    @jason_staggers
    Join Date: 2006
    Post Count: 61

    Hi everyone. I’m planning an article for PI.com called “Tips for First Time Developers”. This one will be based on an interview with a property development expert. With your help, I’m hoping to make this interview as relevant as possible.

    If you were sitting face to face with an expert developer, what questions would you ask?

    Jason Staggers | JasonStaggers.com
    http://jasonstaggers.com
    Email Me

    Profile photo of CatalystCatalyst
    Participant
    @catalyst
    Join Date: 2008
    Post Count: 1,404

    Basics like- How do you know a site is suitable for development (size, slope, easements, sewer etc)?
    What types of blocks should you avoid?
    What type of areas are best?
    Common mistakes new developers make?
    What type of development is good to start with (for newby’s)?
    Is there a good/bad time in the property cycle to develop?
    How do I know if councils are receptive to developments? Do some councils make it difficult?
    Timeframe?
    What’s a typical ROI?

    • This reply was modified 10 years, 2 months ago by Profile photo of Catalyst Catalyst.
    Profile photo of BennyBenny
    Moderator
    @benny
    Join Date: 2002
    Post Count: 1,416

    Hi Jason,
    Is there a “rule of thumb” re how best to develop a smallish block e.g. is it as simple as “jam on the most 2 bedders you can fit” (or even 1 bedders in some areas)? Or can it be financially better to build a smaller number of 3bdrs? Are such decisions “area dependent”?
    Pros and cons between townhouse/villa and/or duplex/standalone.

    Profile photo of Jason StaggersJason Staggers
    Participant
    @jason_staggers
    Join Date: 2006
    Post Count: 61

    Great questions, thanks! Keep them coming.

    Jason Staggers | JasonStaggers.com
    http://jasonstaggers.com
    Email Me

    Profile photo of wilko1wilko1
    Participant
    @wilko1
    Join Date: 2010
    Post Count: 510

    Finance
    Residential vs commercial lending.

    No point looking at anything if the purchaser is not utterly understanding of HOW much they can borrow, HOW much equity or cash they have and HOW much they need to fund deposits, keep LVR’s in check, hard and soft costs. Ultimately that determines where and what type of development they should look for and subsequently what council areas are within their price brackets and have profitable development polices that allow “developers” to capitalize on those Development Plans.

    Profile photo of itsandrewitsandrew
    Participant
    @itsandrew
    Join Date: 2007
    Post Count: 294

    Look forward to the article Jason.

    And welcome to the forum!

    I would ask about getting plans through council. Myself, and others I know, follow town planner’s advice, planning schemes etc. to the letter only to be rejected by council then successful in VCAT. It would be nice to avoid VCAT as often as possible!

    What you should look for in a builder, and how to source them.

    Major pitfalls to be aware of along the way.

    Andrew

    itsandrew

    Go as far as you can see and you will see further.

    Profile photo of alfrescodiningalfrescodining
    Participant
    @alfrescodining
    Join Date: 2012
    Post Count: 160

    How to take it to the next level from duplexes/townhouses/small subdivisions to bigger developments with higher margins….?

    Profile photo of mazzmazz
    Participant
    @mazzmazz
    Join Date: 2014
    Post Count: 3

    I own the land with an old house and wish to develop it myself if it is feasible, instead of just selling to a developer but know very little about developing. I am retired so low income. I am wondering would it be better to go into some type of joint venture ..to have the partner be responsible for getting the finance to construct as my contribution is the land.
    Also how do I go about having a feasibility study done to know if this is viable. Which type of companies do them? Sorry if all these questions sound to basic!

    Walking to run
    Participant
    @alisdair-horgen
    Join Date: 2014
    Post Count: 68

    Profit margins
    Multi borrower mortgages, how they differ lvr, issues
    How to find out you can subdivide before you buy
    Advantages of using professional companies vs trying it alone
    Minimum recommended project cost for 2 units 3 unit 4 units etc
    Minimum recommend land size for same
    Tax implications gst cgt

Viewing 9 posts - 1 through 9 (of 9 total)

You must be logged in to reply to this topic. If you don't have an account, you can register here.