I’ve been working on a ground-up townhome development in Sevierville, TN and thought I’d share a few observations for anyone looking at STR-focused projects in high-tourism markets.One thing that’s become very clear is that designing specifically for long-term operational durability matters just as much as initial projections.

Hey everyone, Jake Heller here.Quick background: I'm a 3rd generation real estate developer.

I had a child when I was 18, worked a construction job that will hire almost anyone.

It would be much faster if I didn't have $720 to pay per month Child Support and quarterly taxes.The fact of the matter is, I could write a book about my struggles, So I'm not going to waste your time with that.

How are developers finding land and find the best-use for it?

The zoom calls are packed with other wanna be aspiring developers/investors trying to ask him questions.

I'm a new developer in Daphne, AL with projects in Mobile AL and surrounding areas, what's the best way to find active developers interested in buying the paper of my projects or JV for vertical?

His phone number still goes somewhere but it sounds like it's a child's phone and he hasn't answered any texts.

I want to buy land lots and develop subdivisions and/or build infrastructure to then do long term commercial leases.What advise would you give to get started on a project without land development experience?

Investors who’ve actually run the numbers know better too.What makes this niche interesting isn’t just the demand (which is strong), or the margins (which can be excellent), but the control you have over the outcome if you build it the right way.In a phased development model, the biggest value drivers happen long before the first guest checks in:choosing land with the right zoning pathdesigning infrastructure that can scale without reworksequencing buildout so the project pays for its own growthmatching site mix to real demand, not assumptionsbuilding a guest experience that earns repeat stays, not just bookingsOnce those pieces are right, the downside shrinks fast.You’re not relying on one tenant type, one lease structure, or one rent assumption.