All Forum Posts by: Devin James

Week of 8/11 - 8/17:

Accomplishments:

- Received PUD approval for 135 SFH site in Leesburg, FL.

- Received an offer for one of our new construction homes in Palm Bay, FL.

- Completed a 7-minute speech at my local Toastmasters organization. 

Lessons:

- Life is a ongoing journey. There is no point where you've "made it." It is a continuous process of self improvement and growth.

Quote from @Pat Quaranto:

Love this! I have such a great opportunity currently and I’m getting cold feet, it’s so hard taking that leap and putting it all together. This gives me a good little push

From what i've heard, the biggest regret on people's death beds are "I wish I would have" rather than "I wish I hadn't"

Mistakes will happen, learn from them and continue to improve. Life's an ongoing journey - take action!!

In real estate, success often depends on how well you seize opportunities.

As The Richest Man in Babylon states:

"To attract good luck to oneself, it is necessary to take advantage of opportunities."

&

"Men of action are favored by the goodness of good luck."

Opportunities in real estate don’t just fall into your lap. They are recognized and acted upon by those who are prepared.

Don't wait for luck to come to you. Be proactive, stay vigilant, and create your own good fortune by capitalizing on opportunities when they arise.

"Your success as an investor will be determined by how you respond to punctuated moments of terror, not the years spent on cruise control." - The Psychology of Money by Morgan Housel

In real estate, it's not the smooth sailing that defines us, but how we navigate the storms.

The real test comes when the unexpected happens: market shifts, economic downturns, or unforeseen challenges. How we react in those critical moments determines our long-term success.

Stay prepared, stay resilient, and always keep your eyes on the bigger picture. The key is not just to survive those moments but to use them as opportunities to grow.

Quote from @Katie Smith:

Hi Devin,

It's great to see such positive feedback—congratulations on building a strong reputation in the community! As a fellow local here in Orlando and a hard money lender, I understand how important client satisfaction is. If you ever have clients looking for quick and flexible financing options to make their dream home a reality, I'd be happy to help. Let’s connect and see how we can collaborate!

 Thank you @Katie Smith! 

Most recent customer review:

"Feel like we found a gem when we found Great Leaf. They are such a pleasure to work with, very accommodating, and understanding of our particular situation. The quality of the home surpass the quality that these other builder homes are making. We love our new home and recommend Great Leaf to everyone who will listen. 10/10 experience!"

Customer reviews are the backbone of a company's reputation. Treat your clients/customers right; they'll become your biggest advocates.

Quote from @Jay Hinrichs:

Quote from @Devin James:

Thank you @Jay Hinrichs!

We're open to exiting at any point. We have the capacity to go vertical, but we're open to selling permitted lots, developed lots, or finished homes. Or some sort of JV.

We're speaking with Builders now who want to handle the horizontal development themselves. 

I funded a 80 lot project there a few years back and my client flipped to DR and did quite well. As we did as the capital partner.

Thats good to hear!!

We have a few projects that you all may be interested in - happy to discuss further if you'd like to connect.

Thank you @Jay Hinrichs!

We're open to exiting at any point. We have the capacity to go vertical, but we're open to selling permitted lots, developed lots, or finished homes. Or some sort of JV.

We're speaking with Builders now who want to handle the horizontal development themselves. 

Another PUD approval!!!

Yesterday, we presented our 153 Single Family Planned Unit Development (PUD) to the City Commission and secured a favorable 4/5 vote for approval!

This project spans over 49+/- acres and features 50ft, 60ft, & 70ft lots, adjacent to a large lake that will serve as a stunning community amenity.

With engineering set to complete in Q1 2025, we anticipate breaking ground on the lot development shortly thereafter, aiming to start providing homes by Q1 2026.

Quote from @Shawn Bhatti:

Couldn't agree more!

Especially in todays' day and age with all the chaos going on in the world.

It's important to have a vivid vision and use that keep yourself going when the going gets tough!

 Definitely @Shawn Bhatti!!