Top 5 Reasons Projects Get Stuck in Plan Check (and How to Avoid Them) ASK: We finally got through entitlements, but now we’re stuck in plan check. What’s causing the holdup? ANSWER: Plan check is where great projects go to stall. It’s the technical review after approvals, where every sheet, code, and calculation gets dissected […]

Entitlement Risk 101: How to Structure Land Deals When Approvals Take Time ASK: We’ve got a great site, but entitlements might take a year or more. How do I structure the deal so I’m not overexposed during approvals? ANSWER: Entitlements are where real estate deals are won or lost. You can find a perfect site, […]

Why “Time” Is the Most Expensive Line Item in Development ASK: Construction costs keep going up, but lately it feels like time is what’s really costing us. Why is time the biggest expense in development, and how do I protect against it? ANSWER: In real estate, everyone tracks dollars, but not enough people track days. […]

How to Run the Numbers Before You Commit to a Development Project ASK: I’ve got a piece of land and a concept. How do I know if the numbers make sense before I dive in? ANSWER: In development, “good idea” doesn’t always mean “good deal.” Before you commit to a site, you need to know […]

The Art of Structuring Joint Ventures in Development Projects ASK: I’m partnering on a new development. How do we structure a JV that’s fair, and future-proof? ANSWER: Joint ventures can be great or horrible just like any partnership. At their best, JVs bring together complementary strengths: land, capital, expertise, and relationships. At their worst, they […]