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.

Quote from @Jon Mekeel: Boots on the ground are a must, or having a solid foundation of what the area looks like and is all about.

In some markets, a two-story home and a one-story home can be comparable; in others, they’re not.

We’re midway through our first ground-up SFR build in Marion County FL. 

I was in this program, simply for the "boots on the ground" @3k/month in Philly to test out two deals there.

If you invest out of state and ever need reliable boots-on-the-ground support, feel free to reach out.Excited to be here — what’s one strategy that’s working for you in 2026?

I’m in the early stages of building a phased campground/RV park from the ground up in Pennsylvania, and I’m looking to connect with operators who’ve been in the trenches.Over the past year I’ve evaluated a ton of parcels, worked through zoning conversations, utilities, terrain challenges, and the realities of sequencing infrastructure for a ground‑up outdoor hospitality project.

After years of promise, the $100 Billion Micron Fab Plant officially broke ground this past Friday (1/16) in Clay NY, just 15 minutes North of Syracuse.

If you’re not on the ground, don’t stress about driving for dollars the old-school way.

Memphis is a great place to be if you’re looking to build a multifamily portfolio because the numbers still make sense here compared to many other major markets, and there are several solid “B-level” neighborhoods where mid-size multifamily properties can perform well for long-term hold strategies.