Real Estate Development Fundamentals

This two day program is an excellent introduction to real estate development for entrepreneurs just starting in the business or joining an existing real estate development team, as well as professionals adjacent to the real estate development business (e.g., architects, planners, engineers, lawyers, contractors, property managers, brokers, lenders, investors, and public regulators) to enhance their understanding of real estate development.

During the program, we will cover the primary steps in the real estate development process, using examples from many asset types and discussing principles applicable to real estate development all over the world.

Expect a lively and engaging interactive classroom experience! We will focus on the role of the real estate developer and the primary stages and steps in the real estate development process, including: identifying development opportunities; defining financial objectives and the development program; preparing project schedules and budgets; undertaking feasibility studies incorporating zoning, environmental, design, market, and economic factors; evaluating risks and rewards and defining risk management strategies; defining site selection criteria and gaining site control; negotiating required entitlements; assembling and managing the development team; creating the appropriate legal ownership entity structure; securing debt and equity financing; managing the design and construction process; marketing the asset; and managing the completed asset, including both property management and asset management.

This “nuts-and-bolts” program introduces real estate development to potential entrepreneurs and new members of established development teams seeking to understand how real estate development fundamentals relate to their primary design, engineering, construction, legal, permitting, financing, marketing, or property management roles. The program is also valuable to intermediaries in the real estate development process, including public officials responsible for reviewing, approving, and/or monitoring proposed real estate projects, particularly public-private partnership (PPP) projects.

We will present critical real estate development principles and practices in a simple, understandable, and interactive manner that will demystify the real estate development process regardless of participants’ prior level of real estate development experience. Varied asset types (residential, office, retail, hospitality, industrial, and mixed-use) will be referenced to illustrate critical development principles. We will also discuss the skill, personality, and style characteristics that successful real estate developers often share.