Getting Started in Design-Build for Real Estate Investing

[Joshua Stewart]

I am a residential designer and also a former construction manager who oversaw rehab on hundreds of REO's for a national company going back 5-6 years ago. In recent years I have been working in design in some form or another, mostly on new construction of single-family homes. While I am not a licensed Architect, in my area (and in most areas of the US outside NY) you do not have to be a licensed Architect to design a single-family home and some multi-family projects.

My goal is to eventually do design-build of single-family and multi-family (townhouses) while also being the developer/investor.

What advice would you Investors and/or Builders have for someone wanting to get started on that path?

I currently live in Charlotte, NC but am originally from the Pacific Northwest with strong family ties to Southern California and would like to eventually be a Design-Build-Developer in all three areas.