Hands down other than major developers hedge funds and big time syndicators the biggest money in real estate today is the successful Guru trainer etc.. 

She's been stuck with the city process and wanted some advice about how to get her plans approved.

Efficiency Comes from Building the Right TeamOne of the biggest ways we’ve streamlined our business is by bringing everything in-house.

So it takes comprehensive knowledge of the market trends, zoning laws, the local municipalities approval process, survey cost, subsoil conditions, irrigation requirements, development cost, utilities (gas, power and internet), city water or well water, city sewer or POSW to name just a few...A builder developed the farm field next to our SD, bought it for $1.5M and wanted to build 25 homes as a conservancy subdivision.

I did a lot of flips - Fauntleroy, Madison Park, Magnolia, Columbia City, Tukwila, Seatac, Des Moines etc.

@Stuart Udis your absolutely right, as far as the market my biggest issue is that I don’t know that area very well and neither does the agent that is helping me.

I'd do what you can to keep yourself uninvolved with it....but still help your Grandma of course..A trip to the City (Planning/Zoning/Building Depts) will give you some valuable info.

I am the real estate professional and I worked with hard money lender This sounds like the exact same strategy a client of mind uses in Kansas City!

And neither will City of Rockville.

And the BIGGEST advantage, more ways to monetize a lead.