@Grant Shipman you may want to remove this line, "I've developed, use with all my coliving properties, and teach HPM (household-led property management)" as it appears to be self-promotion.

Great topic — ground-up projects can produce strong margins, but execution risk is where many investors get caught off guard.From the builder/developer side, the biggest challenges we consistently see are:1️⃣ Site Work UnknownsFill, compaction, drainage, and soil conditions can shift budgets quickly — especially in markets where lot conditions vary significantly.2️⃣ Utilities & Impact FeesWater/sewer access, well/septic requirements, and local impact fees are often underestimated during underwriting.3️⃣ Environmental FactorsProtected species, wetlands, and flood elevation requirements can affect both timelines and build costs.4️⃣ Permit TimelinesApproval periods — particularly when civil or environmental reviews are involved — can extend holding costs beyond initial projections.5️⃣ Builder Execution CapacityProject success often comes down to the operator’s systems, trade relationships, and cycle times — not just the numbers on paper.Because of these hurdles, we’re seeing more investors lean toward ready-to-build projects — where feasibility, plans, and permitting are already in progress or completed — as a way to reduce entitlement risk and shorten timelines.Ground-up can be extremely rewarding, but the upfront diligence and execution planning are what ultimately determine outcomes.Always happy to compare notes with other investors and builders working through similar projects.

@Matthew BonaskiAbsolutely, and that perspective aligns perfectly with how real expertise is developed in our industry.

In transitional markets like the Wake/Harnett border, location and long-term growth matter more than current school ratings or rural feel proximity to development can drive appreciation over time.

I’m beginning my journey in real estate development.

Id recommend getting comfortable with the terms.Some books that are helpful (not totally MF focused)-Confessions of a Real Estate Entreprenuer (Perspective of an investor, how they think, how they take risks and how they learn)-Am I Being Too Subtle (Mindset, managed risk, opportunity spotting)-Zeckendorf - Autobiography (Relationships, risk taking, deal structure, development)-BP Rental Property InvestingI'd also recommend going to Lowe's, Home Depot, Habitat for Humanity to build your brain around materials, costs, quality and history of materials (even if you're not the one doing the work).Lastly, once you've conceptualized the asset class itself and general understanding of deal structure / operating structure...look into some news articles and trends in MF.

Land costs a fortune there so they have to go into the retail prices of any future development, which is a protection against overbuilding putting pressure on price and short-term rental rates and a protection against competition for property owners.

I agree with others though that commission savings are not the main draw unless maybe you are a VERY active developer or flipper. 3.

Be very careful of what you buy, sometimes there are lots/parcels that have latent development constraints that are very expensive to overcome, or sometimes they can prove to be a fatal flaw.

The DST gives you this option, while 1031 does not.2) Direct up to 80% of the funds to an LLC and partner with the trust for a business purpose such as purchasing investment real estate, loan business, buy into a business or develop investment RE at your own timing (all capital gains tax deferred, without having to follow any timing guidelines.)3) The DST can save a failed 1031 exchange.