You kind of learn from connections from other developers and builders.

But per lot it will cost roughly the following:$1,500 Electrical poles, meter installation $2,000 water taps and connections$5,000 grading and land prep$8,000 septic installation (assuming a 1:1 ratio of homes to 1000 gallon septics)$5,000 down payment on each home ($700-750 / thereafter per unit)$21,500 total set up x 17 = $365,000Ongoing expenses after development would look something this for POH model: $12,750 a month in mobile home mortgages (17 x 750 for PITI on each unit) $1,900 a month in land mortgage PITI (house) $3,000 a month landscaping$2,000 a month in reserve emergency fund$2,200 management$21,850 a month total expenses $262,200‬/yearOngoing incomes after development would look something this for POH model:$27,000/month ($1500 x 18 {17 mobile homes plus house})$324,000/year324k-262,2k = 61,800 net pre-tax profit or $5,150/month.Opportunities to reduce start up expenses: Bulk deals with the government or contractors for doing all the work at once (electrical, water, land grading, septic) Trade free rent for someone to mow and landscape (turning a $3k event into a $650 event every month).

Then they list a bunch of professions.

Find areas that are upcoming  like cheap areas to live that are surrounded by highly developed communities and look at what houses sell for and what they rent for .

Besides the long investment cycle, you have to know a lot about zoning, development, local politics, irrigation, farming, subsoil conditions, easements, utilities, development costs etc  Don't fall for the idea that just because you bought it at an auction means you've got a deal.The "easiest" land game to get into is to buy buildable infill lots

The primary problem is that building a single small unit is near highest development cost.  

That's why I've developed "self-service" property management to simplify my rental management...to make it so easy my kids can take over (and won't sell everything when I die)!

Developer from Nashville here and just acquired some property for renovations.

These investment properties are being built to Indiana residential code and are approved at each stage of development by the city and city permits.

For me, I prefer, land banking and  multifamily development.