Author: eg
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The goal is to double the investment. How is it possible?
I made a simple illustration using a single-family development project. Consider a single-family home, constructed in the 1950s and nestled in a high-demand neighborhood. There are plenty of those around Bellevue, WA. Such properties are often prime candidates for redevelopment. In the past, infill builders would be snatching these homes, offering all-cash deals with quick…
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Navigating Air Rights: Lessons from a Deck Dispute
“Your deck is going to be hanging over my property!” That was the exclamation from a neighbor upon reviewing our plans for a new custom project. This unexpected claim led us down a path of discovery and resolution that I believe holds valuable lessons for any real estate developer. Initially, we were baffled. Had we…
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Podcast: Strategic Partnerships for Growth
I had a fun interview with ROIClear the other day. Please check it out and subscribe. Eugene Gershman of GIS Companies visited with ROIClear Podcast for an insightful conversation with Ray Hightower about real estate development. Eugene explained how GIS’s partnership model allows them to make an impact on reducing the housing shortage. The time…
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Do these five things first before paying anyone to do a feasibility study.
1. Land use code or zoning research. There is nothing fancy here; simply flip through the zoning maps and code to understand basic restrictions like height limit, bulk, setbacks, parking requirements, etc. Most municipalities have that data online. If the site is zoned industrial, you may not be able to build apartments or the other…
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Podcast: Unlocking Property Potential
I had a fun conversation with Steven Arita about real estate development partnerships. We talked about how we partner with property owners to bring their projects to reality. In the high-interest rate environment and depressed real estate sales, now is the perfect time to begin the design and permitting. By the time the project is…
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Podcast: Eugene Gershman’s Entrepreneurial Journey in Real Estate…
Eugene Gershman said: I don’t like talking much about where I am from originally. I’m not embarrassed, but I have always felt self-conscious about it. First, it was my accent. Now, the politics. I always tried to steer the conversation away from it. I really enjoyed this interview and the conversation we had, but after…
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Top Five Reasons to Invest in Real Estate Development: An Ex-Financial Consultant’s Take.
Some of you might know that I used to be a registered representative by FINRA (when it was still called NASD) at the beginning of my career. The first question we would always ask, and most cover-you-butt forms would re-state, was: “What is your investment objective?” Most experienced investors know the three main investment objectives:…
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Development Outline
One of the frequently asked questions we receive at GIS is how we collaborate with property owners (sometimes referred to as principal sponsors or sponsors) on new developments. There are various possible structures for such partnerships. Before a deal structure is even discussed, we need to study the project and believe that it makes sense. …
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Do Not Sell Your Land!
If you own a piece of land that has potential for development, you might be tempted (or pressured by a spouse, relative, neighbor, financial advisor, or realtor) to sell it. But before you do that, consider this: you could be missing out on a huge opportunity to increase the value of your property and create…
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The Dark Side of Discounts: One Side Has to Lose.
How can people feel good about buying something with a deep discount when they know the seller might lose everything in that transaction? I recently read an article about a developer who took his own life while facing financial challenges. He was about my age with a similar background. I did not know him, but…
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How To Double Your Investment?
Recap: – Financing projects of less experienced developers is like investing in startups with more predictable outcome; – Real estate projects typically target 2x returns compared to 11.8% average return of S&P 500 over the years; – GIS Companies has put together a structure to reward investors and mitigate their risks; Full post to follow……………………………….. I’ll define…
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Who Are First-Time Developers?
I talked about “rookie developers” in another post, and I guess I should apologize. I did not mean it in a disrespectful way. Here is a more serious definition of what I mean by “first-time developers.” First time real estate developers are a diverse group of people who share a common goal: to create value…
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Rookie Developers vs. The Real Estate Jungle
First time developers are facing several serious problems on the road to getting their first project built. In summary, first-time developers encounter a trifecta of challenges: financial limitations, a lack of experience and track record, and a limited professional network. Overcoming these hurdles often requires creative financing solutions, mentorship or partnerships with experienced developers, and…
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Investing in First-Time Real Estate Developers: A Risky Adventure with a Side of LOLs
Investing in real estate can sometimes feel like navigating a labyrinth blindfolded, but what if we add a twist to the plot? Imagine doing that blindfolded dance with a first-time real estate developer. It’s like stepping into a mystery novel where the author is just as new to writing as you are to investing. So,…
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GIS Companies Reel
This has been published before but it’s hard not to share again.