The Developer’s Playbook for Negotiating Land Deals with Landlords and Tenants ASK: I’m negotiating a land deal and trying to balance what the landlord wants with what my tenant needs. How do I make sure everyone wins? ANSWER: Most deals fall apart not because the site is wrong, but because expectations aren’t aligned. In every […]
How to Build Political and Staff Support Before Your First Hearing ASK: We’ve submitted our plans and are waiting for the hearing, how can we make sure it goes well? ANSWER: Public hearings can make or break your project. By the time you’re on the agenda, decisions are largely shaped by what’s already happened behind […]
Why Aligning with the General Plan Is Your Secret Weapon in Approvals ASK: What’s the General Plan, and why does everyone keep telling me to check it before I buy land? ANSWER: The General Plan is the city’s long-term roadmap for growth. It dictates how land can be used, what kinds of development the city […]
How Pre-Application Meetings Can Save Months in Entitlements ASK: Are pre-application meetings really worth it or just another layer of unnecessary red tape? ANSWER: If you think pre-application meetings slow things down, think again. They’re one of the smartest time investments you can make in the entitlement process. A pre-application meeting is your chance to […]
Community Buy-In: Turning NIMBYs (not in my backyard) Into Project Advocates ASK: How do I deal with community opposition that could kill my project even after planning staff is on board? ANSWER: The finish line for some entitlements are public hearings. Frequently we’ve seen projects where we have staff’s full support but it’s actually the […]
How to Get the City On Board with a New Development Concept ASK: I have a new development concept I’m excited about, but how do I get the city on board before I spend months (and money) on plans? ANSWER: You can have the best concept in the world, but if the city doesn’t see […]
Why Utility Access Can Make or Break a Deal ASK: We love the site, but utilities look complicated. Should we still move forward? ANSWER: Utilities are one of the most underestimated risks in development. You can have the land, the financing, and even the approvals, but if you can’t get power, water, or sewer to […]
The Pre-Development Checklist Every Developer Should Follow ASK: What do I need to check off before I submit anything to the city? ANSWER: Pre-development is the hidden phase of real estate. It’s everything you need to do before your project even hits a planning desk. Get it right, and your entitlement process moves smoothly. Skip […]
How to Run a Quick Feasibility Test Before You Buy Land ASK: I found a site I like. How do I quickly test if it’s worth pursuing? ANSWER: Land can be tempting. You see a piece of property, picture what could be built there, and want to jump in before someone else grabs it. But […]
How Long Do Entitlements Really Take, and How to Speed Them Up ASK: Everyone says entitlements take forever. What’s realistic? ANSWER: Ask any developer what keeps them up at night and entitlements are usually at the top of the list. Why? Because they take time, and time is money. But how long do they really […]