All Forum Posts by: Alonzo Thomas

Find a good mentor. There are also different levels of involvement of developers. A lot of smaller residential developers I know started in the real estate industry because finding the right deal is key - especially in a hot market. Some developers I know are involved in more of an investment level and hire other people to do everything else while others are on site often and have the construction project management in house. But all in all, you need access to funds and the capital to get a construction loan.

Thank you Dorothy. I will defiantly be looking for a good mentor.

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all of you have given me very helpful advice that I am grateful for and approectaive of. From what I've gathered, there are multiple ways to become a successful developer.

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Originally posted by @Dan Schwartz:

Drive around town. When you see a construction fences, note who is doing the development. Call them and ask if they have any entry-level jobs available.

Ahh, great idea. I'll keep an eye out.

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Originally posted by @Account Closed:

I agree that college isn't for everyone and too many people go to college merely because of parental pressure and because the just don't want to face the real world yet. What type of development interests you? Residential, commercial? Do you personally know any developers? Do you have any prospects for financial backing? Do you have the ability to work well with architects, engineers, bankers, investors, zoning and planning? I am far from one to push higher education but for a young person without access to a large amount of cash or contacts, a degree in business, engineering or architecture adds to your knowledge base and gives you a bit of credence and polish when you are lacking in other areas.

Tim, I agree with everything you just said.

However, as far as being young and having access to cash or even becoming a developer anytime soon will not be likely, as this is something I'd like to achieve later on in my life. I would also start out residential. (Ex: turning a 2 unit duplex into condos.)

My uncle knows a man who is a realtor that could mentor me so I can become a professional at being a good agent. I have strongly been thinking about becoming an agent, and then a broker.

Obviously being an agent/broker would allow me to gain a lot of connections in the real estate industry, and I was thinking that since I eventually want to be a broker, I would be listing/selling properties for a developer, then maybe I can find a mentor that way. Of course joining local REI clubs are a no brainer to establish connections with more potential mentors.

I would only try this after I've achieve a significant amount of financial success as a broker. Although starting out with small projects along the way like renovations of 4 unit apartments, duplexs, or condos would be an ideal way to start. As far as financies, hard money lending would be a way to obtain financing even though their intrest rates are very high, if that's what it takes to get started, then I'll have it bite the bullet.

When it's all said and done, getting to know a developer that could potentially mentor me will the core of it all.

I know it may sound naive, and if it truly does, I apologize.

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Originally posted by @Account Closed:

I don't understand the comment that you don't "qualify for the education". As a developer, you will also hear that you don't qualify for a loan. How would you get past that? Tell us about yourself and the attributes that you have that would make you a successful investor.

From what I have gathered, I've been told the only way to become a developer is to work for one. But how can you do that when college isn't for everyone? Also, I'm not so sure where I should start to eventually become a developer.

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okay so this is only my second post on BP, and I have a strong interest in becoming a real estate developer someday.

I know there are many ways to become a developer but,

Unfortunately I don't qualify for the education that should be obtained to work for a developer to gain experience under a development firm.

I'm not so sure, how I can do this or start, so I need advice/help.

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I am currently looking forward to making a career out of construction by becoming a carpenter and starting my own construction company years from now.

As a GC, since they work closely with developers, would a developer that you've worked with on a project or "projects" consider a JV with a GC?

I understand construction is much different than developing but I've often wondered if GC's transition into a property developer later on in their careers.

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All Forum Posts by: Alonzo Thomas

Alonzo Thomas has started 2 posts and replied 7 times.

Post: How to become a real estate developer?

Post: How to become a real estate developer?

Post: How to become a real estate developer?

Post: How to become a real estate developer?

Post: How to become a real estate developer?

Post: How to become a real estate developer?

Post: Can a general contractor become real estate developer?