What Happens After Planning Commission Approval? A Step Most Developers Underestimate ASK: We received Planning Commission approval. Why does it still feel like the project could fall apart? ANSWER: Planning Commission approval feels decisive. Votes are cast. Motions pass. Conditions are read into the record. Teams breathe for the first time in months. And then […]
How to Spot Red Flags in a Land Deal Before Money Goes Hard ASK: I found what looks like the perfect site. How do I know if there are hidden risks before I make it official? ANSWER: Every piece of land tells a story, and some chapters can get very expensive. Developers fall in love […]
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 […]
How Developers Protect Tenants from Project Delays ASK: We’re developing a site for a tenant, but entitlements and permits keep pushing timelines. How do we keep them confident, and keep the deal alive? ANSWER: Tenants hate uncertainty. When delays stretch on, trust erodes fast. But most of the time, it’s not the delay itself that […]
What Landlords Need to Know Before Signing with a Developer ASK: I own property and a developer wants to build on it. What should I watch out for before signing anything? ANSWER: Partnering with a developer can unlock tremendous value, but it also introduces complexity. Developers bring expertise, financing, and vision, but they also bring […]
How to Structure Leases Around Entitlement Timelines ASK: How do I protect both my tenant and myself when entitlements might take months or longer? ANSWER: The fastest way to lose a tenant’s trust is to overpromise on timing. Entitlements are unpredictable, and most tenants underestimate how long they take. At I&D Consulting, we help developers […]