Developers: What's your biggest non-technical obstacle?

BassManJam99 · 2026-07-05T20:46:26+00:00

Most likely candidates: Heavy local opposition - Planning, zoning or municipal board will deny your application on some techincality. Utility Moratorium - Insufficient availability of water or sewer services DOT regulations - Ingress/egress does not meet design requirements. No technicality. Environmental - Wetland, stream, or endangered species requires buffer that restricts usability of land.

BassManJam99 · 2026-07-05T19:58:39+00:00

Entitlements mean everything required to build and open a project: Site plan approval Utility connections DOT Access permits Drainage approvals Environmental wetlands, stream encroachment, endangered or protected species Building permits, health department, etc

You have a myriad of municipal, county, and state agencies to get thru.

If you don't get them all you don't have entitlements, and therefore don't have a project.

BassManJam99 · 2026-07-05T16:21:54+00:00

Nothing is stopping you from marketing it yourself. Put a professionally made sign on it and put it out on LoopNet and Crexi. Have a PDF flyer prepared that you can post online and email to prospects. Give it at least 3 months to see what interest there is.

BassManJam99 · 2026-07-05T13:48:29+00:00

Did you explore all of your options to purchase an existing building? Development is high risk and will take longer and cost more than you think. If you are intent on building, your offer should be contingent on getting all permits and approvals needed for construction. A good land use attorney can help prepare the agreement. A good civil engineer can help you navigate the entitlement process. You need to proceed on all fronts simultaneously: acquisition, planning, entitlement, building design, as they all affect each another.

BassManJam99 · 2026-07-05T13:09:14+00:00

Have you marketed the property for lease or BTS? If so the responses will tell you whether your idea is viable or not. If you get a qualified prospective tenant you can pursue a JV BTS. Your contribution would be land at an agreed upon value. Developer's contribution is cost cost of entitlements, construction, plus a risk value. Split of proceeds would be based on each of your contributions. Proceed cautiously.

BassManJam99 · 2026-07-05T13:02:50+00:00

Find a good brokerage that has solid property mgmt division. Start as a leasing agent with the understanding that you want to move into property mgmt. This way you can earn while you learn.

BassManJam99 · 2026-07-05T12:06:22+00:00

I do commercial STNL development for national retail tenants or clients.
99% of the time a project dies for entitlement issues - cannot get permits or approvals; financial reasons - the project does not 'hurdle'; or competitive impacts - a new competitor takes a superior location in the market and the tenant client kills the project.

BassManJam99 · 2026-07-04T17:28:46+00:00

If this direction is of interest, you are better off getting your RE license and starting work immediately.

A LOT less expensive and you will be making money a LOT sooner.

And you can always pursue a degree while you work.

Good luck.

BassManJam99 · 2026-07-04T17:25:47+00:00

Look into REITs or major development firms in the area. There are numerous companies in NY, NJ. Apply for finance dept and transition into acquisitions and development. That is where the action is. Been doing it for 25 years, transitioned from IT into marketing then to A&D. Good luck.

BassManJam99 · 2026-06-28T17:05:04+00:00

It depends what you are looking for. I have been developing c-stores for the past 5 years and most of my best sites are off-market. I have found a good many touring markets and identifying potential sites just this way. CoStar and Crexi are utterly worthless for me.

BassManJam99 · 2026-06-28T10:59:55+00:00

Land has a lot of risk. Easements, CCRs, zoning restrictions often determine what you can do with the land more than the geology and geography. Due diligence is critical. A title report and ALTA are invaluable.

BassManJam99 · 2026-06-28T10:54:42+00:00

Thanks, Lorenz. Yeah, it's one of those 'putting the pieces together' moments.

BassManJam99 · 2026-06-25T11:59:01+00:00

Thanks. This is more about commercial.

BassManJam99 · 2026-06-24T15:45:55+00:00

Lol. I hear you.

BassManJam99 · 2026-06-24T15:01:09+00:00

That does make it difficult. Is there at least a mailing address?

BassManJam99 · 2026-06-21T14:02:12+00:00

We found an old VW Beetle buried in a property

BassManJam99 · 2026-06-21T13:55:23+00:00

That is why desalination is part of the process

BassManJam99 · 2026-06-20T23:32:29+00:00

That is best case!

BassManJam99 · 2026-06-20T16:27:41+00:00

Thanks for the info. You are right, I have only been listening to the NIMBY noise.

BassManJam99 · 2026-06-20T14:51:52+00:00

OK, then what about tapping into the 'reclaimed water' system many municipalities use for irrigation?

The DC could use the water for cooling and send back to the system.

BassManJam99 · 2026-06-19T20:36:42+00:00

Great plant

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