All Forum Posts by: Bear Geiger

Hi Hank,

Sounds like you may have a good opportunity there.  As an active property developer working with single family residential properties, we would be happy to help you with the questions you have.  Send me a message and we can set up a call. 

@Bruce Lynn, @Wayne Brooks @Alecia Loveless...  I am very aware of the splits in the real estate agency business and the other things you've mentioned.  We do many, many transactions a year.  I am simply asking is there an opportunity for me to negotiate a better deal based on what we are bringing to the agency?  Maybe I should instead just hire my own agent? 

The second part of this is, for the $ we are shelling out, I need more focus on my business (I dont think this is an unreasonable request) Should I just have an honest conversation with my agent and tell her that I don't think she is focused enough on areas that we need? (i.e. finding new properties) 

@Mark Monroe..  The price per mile is a very general number.  Depends how wide the road is, how flat the terrain is and if you put in curb and gutter or not.  My number is no utilities, no curb & gutter.  Water & sewer however should not increase your cost dramatically.  This is usually PVC pipe (inexpensive) and labor.  

As for profit margin, this varies greatly depending on the project.  I think most land developers would be fairly pleased with 30%.   

But remember this....  If you make a 50% margin on $300,000 and it takes you 3 years to get through the project you have effectively made $50K/year.  If you make 30% on a $250K project, but you are out in 9 months, you've made $100K/year!

Hi @Deanna Lawrence,

I am a real estate developer in NC.  I specialize in residential development. I dont mind being a sounding board for new ideas.  Maybe we can both learn something.  Send me a message or request. 

Got it....  thanks 

Hi @Mark Monroe

We just finished Phase 1 of a 23 lot subdivision in rural area near Raleigh, NC.   We did not do any water or sewer.  See our cost breakouts below. You can estimate $1,000,000 per mile for a standard neighborhood road.   Let me know if you have questions. 

We are a real estate development company. We like buying off market properties because there is much less pressure of competing offers and timelines. We are a legitimate buyer (not like those people that want to pay you 15% of the value of your land)

The problem is 2 fold.

1. How to find the owners contact info (which is often not listed or wrong in county records).

2. How distinguish ourselves from the low ball bidders.

Any dialog would be appreciated.

Hi Craig,

I ready your question, but I am not clear on what problem you are trying to solve.  can you ask the question in a more succinct way? 

What does the "score" mean next to these contributors? 

Hi @Amit Dhawan what is "TI"  (too many acronyms) - thanks