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All Forum Posts by: Kristi Kandel

Kristi Kandel has started 40 posts and replied 284 times.

Post: Land development in Mapleton/springville

Kristi Kandel
Pro Member
Posted
  • Developer
  • Fort Myers Beach, FL
  • Posts 304
  • Votes 153
Quote from @Kyler Berry:

How much is typical price to pay someone to develop land? My uncle has an offer he pays all development fees and then gives the guy who engineers it all 33% gross cut. Is that excessive? he pays the million for all construction costs. he takes home 67%.

 @Kyler Berry exactly what @Jamie Hora said. It's VERY rare that an engineer could add enough value to a deal to have them be an equity partner (sweat equity). You could setup something where the fees are deferred until you secure the construction loan and then pay them 1.5-2x their standard fee if they waited the 6-18 months to get paid. But an equity position is not recommended unless they own the dirt or bring some other kind of value. 

It's possible the engineer is agreeing to take on the ENTIRE development process and manage the entire development of the project but that would need to be clearly defined in the roles and responsibilities of the development partnership. 

In any partnership you can't just cut a check and hope for the best especially if you're providing the money and the other partners don't have more than their time in the game. So I'd just make sure you have good checks and balances and reporting setup. 

Post: What to do with 50 acres of rural land

Kristi Kandel
Pro Member
Posted
  • Developer
  • Fort Myers Beach, FL
  • Posts 304
  • Votes 153
Quote from @Nichole Kinard:

We own 50 acres of wooded landed in a rural setting. Eventually, we’d like to build a few houses for ourselves and extended family but that will be a lot later. In the meantime, it’s a beautiful plot of land with a nice creek running through it. It’s rural but within about 45 minutes drive of three bigger towns. Ideas to make it income-producing we have that would comply with current zoning are an event center (wedding venue, etc) and a campground (cabins and primitive). We don’t want to strip it for timber. What are some other creative things others have done with this type of land? The goal would be to have the land at least pay for itself. 

 @Nichole Kinard If you reach out to the planning department you can get the property's zoning and allowed uses in that zone. 

Then depending on what's allowed you can speak with a broker who specializes in that type of property (agriculture, industrial, low density residential, etc.) and see what they think the highest and best use could be. 

Or maybe once you know what's allowed reach out to existing businesses to see if they want to expand. 

You could always look to develop it into an RV/glamping campground too. 

 I've been a RE developer for nearly 20 years working in every asset class. Last year we created a masterclass for helping ordinary people become the Local Developer in their community so that you can be empowered to do your own deals. If you'd like more information just shoot me a DM!

Post: How to Financially Analyze Unimproved Land for Tract Home Development

Kristi Kandel
Pro Member
Posted
  • Developer
  • Fort Myers Beach, FL
  • Posts 304
  • Votes 153
Quote from @Trenton Miller:

I’m diving into the world of tract home development and looking to learn more about the financial analysis process for unimproved land. Specifically, I’m interested in understanding the costs, potential returns, risks, and strategies involved in transforming raw land into a residential neighborhood.  If you have insights on any of these topics, I’d love to hear from you!

1. Land Acquisition and Initial Costs
- How do you determine if a land parcel is worth its asking price?
- What are some hidden costs associated with purchasing unimproved land, such as property taxes, closing costs, or financing fees?
- What’s the best approach for financing land purchases, especially if development will span multiple phases?

2. Due Diligence and Feasibility Studies
- What studies or tests are essential before purchasing raw land? I’d love to hear about environmental assessments, soil tests, and any other pre-development evaluations.
- How do you factor in the costs of rezoning or obtaining permits, if necessary?

3. Site Improvement and Infrastructure Development
- What does it typically cost to prepare land for residential use, from clearing to grading?
- How can I estimate expenses for installing utilities and creating roads, sidewalks, and drainage systems?
- Any advice on cost-saving strategies for infrastructure?

4. Construction Costs and Building Phases
- How do you calculate per-home construction costs for tract developments? Are there specific factors to consider when building multiple units?
- For those who build in phases, how do you structure budgets and plan cash flow to cover extended construction timelines?

5. Soft Costs and Professional Fees
- Could you share insights on budgeting for architects, engineers, project managers, and legal fees?
- What portion of the total budget should be allocated for marketing and insurance?

6. Carrying Costs and Contingency Funds
- How do you estimate carrying costs, including taxes, maintenance, and interest, if the project spans several years?
- What’s a safe contingency budget percentage to include for unexpected expenses?

7. Revenue and Market Analysis
- How do you conduct market analysis to estimate potential revenue? Do you have a go-to process for researching comparable properties or absorption rates?
- What are some methods for projecting cash flow from home sales and determining an appropriate discounted cash flow (DCF) rate?

8. Profitability Metrics
- What metrics do you rely on to assess the profitability of a land development project?
- How do you calculate return on investment (ROI) and internal rate of return (IRR) for a project with staggered cash flows?

9. Risk Management and Exit Strategies
- What are the main risks you consider when analyzing raw land for tract home development?
- Any suggestions for backup strategies, like selling undeveloped land or leasing, if the market or project plan changes?

10. Cash Flow and Financing Tips
- How do you structure financing for a large-scale development? What financing options are best suited for long-term projects?
- How can I best estimate a breakeven point, and what techniques help maintain positive cash flow through all stages?

Whether you’re an experienced developer, real estate investor, or construction professional, your advice would be invaluable. This is a big project, and understanding the financial analysis side is essential to making it a success. Thank you in advance for sharing your knowledge and helping bring a new perspective on land development to life!

 @Trenton Miller Hey! Great questions and all are necessary to dial in the UW (underwriting) for development deals. I've been a RE developer for nearly 20 years with a majority of my work in the CA market. Any architect or engineer you hire to work on the project will be able to help walk you through the process on each deal. You'll just need to pull it all together to make the business decisions. 

However, if you're looking to gain those insights directly I've fine tuned our checklists and resources to answer those questions for all types of development projects. Last year we created a masterclass for helping ordinary people become the Local Developer in their community so that you can be empowered to do your own deals. If you'd like more information just shoot me a DM! 

Post: Mobile Home Park Development

Kristi Kandel
Pro Member
Posted
  • Developer
  • Fort Myers Beach, FL
  • Posts 304
  • Votes 153
Quote from @Donald DiBuono:

Hi,

Brand new Mobile Home Park investor! I have a vision of building and developing mobile home communities in upstate NY that are vertically integrated to allow future members to choose from a catalog of homes, have them installed, provide them with financing options, and make the process of selecting, buying, and living in the community very smooth.


Since this is my first time doing this, I would love to chat with an experienced mobile home developer on the following items:

Zoning - navigating the zoning process to allow the community to be allowed

Start up costs - I am a finance person who would love to better understand start up costs - septic / electrical / water / pads / roads / etc

On Going Maint Costs - in building our business case, I want to build a conservative financial model to capture all re-occurring expenses - utilities, landscaping, capex, septic clean out, etc.


I know this is a lot, but would greatly appreciate talking to someone who is an expert in this asset class!

Thanks,

DJ

 @Donald DiBuono if you still need development help after speaking with Samuel I teach people how to become the local developer in their community. I've been in RE development for nearly 20 years so happy to share some resources. 

Post: Need assistance in understanding the investment process from one state to another

Kristi Kandel
Pro Member
Posted
  • Developer
  • Fort Myers Beach, FL
  • Posts 304
  • Votes 153
Quote from @Ramatu Kuyateh:

My husband and I currently own a townhome in Maryland for about 3 years now.  We are now looking to move to Orlando Florida.  We are thinking of purchasing a new home or townhome in Florida and renting out our current home in Maryland.  I'm very new to this so please forgive the elementary questions.  1.  For the FL properties, I have read that for a second property there would need to be 20% down payment.  Would that be true if we made the new property in FL our primary?  If not true, what would be the rate percentage for down payments?  Would that affect the loan of our current property in MD?  What are some things I would need to look out for when moving from one state to another?  Also, what are some gotcha's when buying property in Orlando?  Thank you in advance for all your wisdom. :) 

 @Ramatu Kuyateh I live in fort myers beach, FL and also have a duplex in naples. Hurricanes are making me leave the state BUT I live and own on the water. Being in Orlando it's one of the more safe areas for hurricanes but make sure you pay attention to flood zones, get flood insurance as necessary in case of flash floods in rivers, and make sure you can get legitimate insurance providers. For me owning in FL doesn't make sense but I'd rent here all day long. 

If you make the new property your primary you could put a lot less down depending on the property and the bank you use. 

Post: How should I finance a 10-unit apartment development?

Kristi Kandel
Pro Member
Posted
  • Developer
  • Fort Myers Beach, FL
  • Posts 304
  • Votes 153
Quote from @Adam Rogalski:

I am looking for creative ways to finance a small apartment development in Michigan.  The total project budget is approx. $2.5M.  I own the land and it is valued at $150k.  Local bank financing would require an additional $350-$500k towards the down payment.  What are the my options to limit bringing that money out of pocket for the down payment but also minimize the amount of equity given away on the project?  Essentially, how much equity should I be prepared to split with in investor in order to not bring additional cash to the deal?

 @Adam Rogalski Have you reached out to MEDC yet to see about their grant programs for building housing? I work with them throughout Michigan to help emerging developers redevelop neglected properties in their communities. You still need to get the debt and equity but once you're open / finished with construction you can get grants to reimburse you. 500K-2M is typical for projects like yours. I run a local developer course if you were interested in learning more about development. You can always shoot me a DM. We'll be releasing our next accelerator course in Dec starting in January. 

Post: Webinar replay: Importance of Asset & Wealth Protection (Local Developers)

Kristi Kandel
Pro Member
Posted
  • Developer
  • Fort Myers Beach, FL
  • Posts 304
  • Votes 153

Hey there Local Developers!

The webinar replay for "Importance of Asset & Wealth Protection" is right here: https://localdeveloper.kartra.com/videopage/AssetProtection

Ready to take it to the next level? Our Blueprint for Local Real Estate Development course will equip you with everything you need to bring your vision to life. Plus, you’ll gain access to our free, exclusive community of like-minded individuals who are revitalizing neighborhoods and making real change. This community offers a powerful support system to help you succeed every step of the way!

Sign up here: https://www.localrealestatedeveloper.com/course-signup

P.S. Take advantage of the 50% off coupon code provided at the end of the webinar to purchase the Blueprint course and access our Local Real Estate Developer community. 🎉

Can you imagine having that kind of support and momentum while you're knee-deep in your 1st development deal?

Here's the plan:

  • If you're feeling FIRED UP and ready to take action – amazing! Let's channel that energy.
  • If you're feeling a bit overwhelmed or unsure – also amazing! That's often where the biggest growth happens.

Either way, your next step is crystal clear: Reply to this email to book a call with our team!

Whether you're looking to:

  • Repurpose an old building into affordable housing
  • Dive into one of our self-directed courses
  • Want to gain clarity and know for sure what step to take next


We've got the resources to match your ambition. Let's get you on the right track! Reply to this email to book a call with our team!

Here’s to locals revitalizing our communities!

Post: !!! 10/16 @ 1pm EST *FREE Webinar* Don't Let the World Kick You in the Assets!

Kristi Kandel
Pro Member
Posted
  • Developer
  • Fort Myers Beach, FL
  • Posts 304
  • Votes 153

🎶 You work hard for your money, so make sure you protect your assets right! (Yes, I’m throwing it back with that one! 🤣)

🧱 It’s time to level up your Asset Protection game in just 60 minutes at our LIVE webinar!

🗓️ Join us on Wednesday, October 16th, at 1 PM EST for Starting Small, Thinking Big: How to Protect Your Real Estate Investments.

Watch this quick event preview: Video Link

Whether you’re just getting started or already have properties under your belt, real growth comes from protecting what you’ve built. In this webinar, Cheri Hill, the Wealth Protection Diva, will share strategies to secure your investments, limit liability, and grow your wealth. 💹

🗓️ Secure your spot today and start protecting your investments!

👉

What To Expect:

🛡 Proven strategies for safeguarding your financial future
📈 Smart steps for scaling through every phase of wealth-building
🏢 How LLCs can be your shield in protecting your assets

Cheri is a pro at breaking down the details so you can feel confident about safeguarding your investments—no matter your experience level!

BONUS: We’ve just launched our FREE Local Real Estate Developer Community! If you're feeling burnt out by the daily grind and ready for a new purpose, it’s time to make a change. We empower ordinary people to revitalize communities by transforming neglected properties into thriving spaces.

Shoot me (Kristi) a DM for more details on how you can get involved!

See you soon!


Kristi Kandel and Lynn Makela

Post: Local Real Estate Developer Community is LIVE!!!

Kristi Kandel
Pro Member
Posted
  • Developer
  • Fort Myers Beach, FL
  • Posts 304
  • Votes 153

It's finally here! The place where you can meet other emerging developers, discuss your deals, ask questions, and get expert advice from the Local Real Estate Developer (LRED) team!

Checkout this video about the community: https://youtu.be/JiUpZr9XRQ0

Who can join:

Anyone who purchases the Blueprint for Local Real Estate Development course ($197) receives FREE access to the community: https://www.localrealestatedeveloper.com/course-signup

What To Expect:

1. Forums to discuss your projects

2. Networking with other emerging developers and sharing ideas

3. Classrooms with resources, case studies, webinars, podcasts, and more

4. Office Hours when we answer the questions in the forums

5. Video Breakdowns of concepts shared in the Blueprint Course

This is the place to come and learn more about how we are transforming communities from the inside out!

At Local Real Estate Developers, we empower ordinary people to transform neglected properties into thriving spaces that renew the soul of our communities nationwide.

See you in the forums!


Kristi Kandel and Lynn Makela

Post: Webinar Replay is HERE! (Proven Strategies to Unlock Hidden Tax Benefits & Boost Cash

Kristi Kandel
Pro Member
Posted
  • Developer
  • Fort Myers Beach, FL
  • Posts 304
  • Votes 153

The webinar replay for "Proven Strategies to Unlock Hidden Tax Benefits & Boost Cash Flow!" is right here:https://localdeveloper.kartra.com/videopage/taxbenefits

Ready to take it to the next level? Our Blueprint for Local Real Estate Development course will equip you with everything you need to bring your vision to life. Plus, you’ll gain access to our free, exclusive community of like-minded individuals who are revitalizing neighborhoods and making real change. This community offers a powerful support system to help you succeed every step of the way!

Sign up here: https://www.localrealestatedeveloper.com/course-signup

P.S. Take advantage of the 50% off coupon code provided at the end of the webinar to purchase the Blueprint course and access our Local Real Estate Developer community. 🎉

Can you imagine having that kind of support and momentum while you're knee-deep in your 1st development deal?

Here's the plan:

  • If you're feeling FIRED UP and ready to take action – amazing! Let's channel that energy.
  • If you're feeling a bit overwhelmed or unsure – also amazing! That's often where the biggest growth happens.

Either way, your next step is crystal clear: Send us an email ([email protected]to book a call with our team!

Whether you're looking to:

  • Repurpose an old building into into affordable housing
  • Dive into one of our self-directed courses
  • Want to gain clarity and know for sure what step to take next

We've got the resources to match your ambition. Let's get you on the right track! Send us an email ([email protected]) to book a call with our team!

Here’s to locals revitalizing our communities!