All Forum Posts by: Thomas Musser

@Dave Kansagor  @Scott Krone is right; 100 acres is a very large site.  From a construction standpoint it is very important to understand the features and limitations of your site before getting too far down the rabbit hole.  Site work is often the most expensive and weather dependent phase of a construction project and its important to have a talented and creative civil engineer as well as a earthwork contractor big enough to handle the scope of work in a timely manor.  If possible I would have your plans and site evaluated by your general contractor, excavator, and a creative consultant who has been involved with projects like these for many years and is familiar with the challenges.  

How far along is your planning?  Have you talked with design professionals or general contractors yet?

@Account Closed

@Michael Hacker I absolutely agree that prefab constriction is going to become much more popular in the next few years but the skilled labor shortage will affect prefab shops, in the U.S. especially,  as much or more than on site construction.  I feel the real advantage of prefab is eliminating weather delays and bringing all construction components under one roof, literally, to ensure that deadlines and turnover dates are met, budget numbers are hit, and change orders are eliminated. 

I will check out Turkel.  What is the outfit you are involved with in Arizona?  

I do not.  In fact, when I contacted them in regards to some lots I have in PA, they told me that they have not had a U.S. order at this time.

If you are an investor or contractor on any new construction project in the north east the chances are you have spent 2018 considering a move to Nevada, Arizona or any were that doesn't get sixty inches of rain in a summer.  I took my extra office time this year and researched prefabricated homes and the amount of quality products on the market today is amazing.  One company in particular seems to be closing in on an elegant, accessible, and affordable design.  

M.A.Di. homes has just begun shipping their folding "A" frame internationally and it sounds like they may have a production facility stateside by this time next year.  Once the site work is complete and the one, two, or three bedroom M.A.Di. home arrives on site it can be assembled in one day making it convenient for homeowners and investors who want a guaranteed completion date and ideal for disaster relief situations.

It sounds like the company is currently experiencing some growing pains and finalizing some finishing features and design options, but it is exciting to see this type of product gaining traction.

For more information check out: https://www.madihome.com

I'm Thom Wesley.  Thanks for reading.

Yasmani,

Welcome to Bigger Pockets.  I myself and new the the community.  My background in real estate is mostly on the construction and development side (though my wife is a real estate agent).  We help investors and developers get the projects off to a solid start with pre-construction consultation and project management.  Our team is very creative and has contacts all over the world and we are looking to team up with investors who are building their portfolio.

If we can help at all let me know.  You can check out a few of our projects at thom-wesley.com  (site is still under construction but it will give you an idea of what we have done in the past).

Thanks,

Thom Wesley

Good morning Bigger Pockets Community,

I'm very excited to join your network.  I have taken a somewhat circuitous (even rambling) route to the real estate development and investing arena which began with my early start in the construction world.  It was not until I began managing commercial fishing crews in Alaska and overseeing commercial and multifamily development projects that I began to understand the bigger risks, challenges, and rewards (bigger pockets indeed) associated with managing and executing investments and projects on both land and sea.   

My company performs construction consulting for real estate developers, investors and owners.  We have found our calling in turning dreams and drawings into successful developments.  I am excited to learn from all of you what makes a real estate deal prosperous not just for the investors and contractors but also for the communities that surround them.

I look forward to meeting you all.

Thomas Wesley

@Tanya F.  Thats Great!  We also offer gardening plots to our tenants as well as out door recreation space.

@Scott Skinger You are right.  The cost of materials (Green or otherwise) is high and going up.  Green materials are no exception and it is typical to expect a premium.  Fortunately, Pennsylvanian is offering funding incentives to developers for Green (especially Passive House) projects.  The overall benefit to owners and tenets has been reported to be high.   This is our first Passive House project but our utilities projections for unit consumption look great.

I am operating only on the construction side of this project and have not gotten involved in the development, investment, or ownership side.   I will say the developer is also the owner and they are investing heavily and Passive House projects and technology nation wide (they have another 60 unit under construction in Ohio and another in Pennsylvania).  They certainly feel it is here to stay and want to be on the cutting edge.  They certainly feel it is worth the investment. 

In the heart of central Pennsylvania I am overseeing a 60 unit, multi-family, town home flats project that sets the standard for energy efficient construction 70% higher than a LEED certification.  The simplest way to describe a Passive House home is to imagine a balloon inside a Yeti cooler.  We will pressure test the entire structure 3 times during construction and once at final turnover to ensure our air sealing measures were successful.  The theory is that each unit (all of which are wrapped in extensive insulation on all six sides and contain ERV HVAC system) should be able to stay warm with just the heat given off by the residents, their stove, tv, lights, etc.  

It is exciting to be part of this new building system that some think will be building code eventually (for better or worse).

I'd love to hear from the Bigger Pockets community on their experience with and opinion on Green Construction projects.