Acquisitions - Development

[Jon Avery]

Hi, 

This is my first tie contributing here. I was hoping that I could get some advice. 

I am employed by a development company in an acquisitions role. My job is to purchase development sites. In our market this involves purchasing sites from 

1. commercial landlords

2. residential property owners (land assemblies)

I deal with both with brokers and with property owners directly. 

I need more success. Any advice? Should i hire a coach? 

How can I find deals at the right price!

[Lisa Hoover]

You are in an expensive land area!
So don't underestimate how hard your job is.

One way that's helped me know about land availability BEFORE it ever gets listed is to
BOND with survey companies! and independent surveyors ( and appraisers to a degree).

When someone is going to sell.. the first thing they do is a survey and sometimes an appraisal.

You could also meet with city 'officials' to inquire about areas they want to REHAB and often give financial incentives.

Are there any closed businesses?
A friend of mine bought a closed Applebee's Restaurant to bulldoze it and put up a hotel.
Everyone drove right past the shuttered restaurant for a year. He saw the LAND not the doomed location of a restaurant.
He could have flipped that land a week after closing for over $1mm profit.

When i like an area.. i get on polaris (google earth) for tax maps and flyover aerial views to spot any undeveloped land parcels that maybe can be carved off of a larger parcel.

Are there any pre-foreclosures or short sales ?
You can get to know any large lenders , ( and even foreclosure attorneys, )and help them quietly/low key clear the books quickly of unwanted assets
and replace with your co new construction,

Last, I've gotten leads from again surveyors that are out searching for places to locate cellphone towers... they check out lots of sites
and most aren't suitable... so that's knowledge they would be glad to share (sell ) you cheaply!

Hope that helps!