Hello,
This is my first post here, and I chose to inquire on this board as many other posters seem to resemble many of my clients (who happen to make much more $ than me!). Hopefully some of you can provide some advice.
I’m trying to determine how I can make better use of my skills as a land use planner and site designer in the private sector. As of now, I am with a private consulting (planning/engineering) firm. I manage residential, mixed use, and commercial projects from beginning (feasibility) to end (construction, final plat), and often do much of the initial site design and layout. I deal with permitting at all stages, and solve (hopefully) the inevitable problems that arise along the way.
As a consultant, I make the same money regardless of how much my client (landowner, developer, middle-man…) earns from his project. Naturally, I take note of the “green grass” on the other side and wonder how I can get there.
My central question is, given my skill set, how would I fit in with a developer, RE investor, or builder? I’m not overly knowledgable about the real estate side, but am knowledgable about land use policies, site design, and can do extensive research on property and infrastructure.
I feel that bird dogging would be sort of a step down, but I think I would be useful in that type of a role. What is a similar, maybe more advanced position that an investor or developer may want filled? Project manager, representative, researcher/analyst…? Do any of you investors do enough feasibility research to require full time time help?
Eventually I want to invest on my own, and probably do some development, but for now I’m mostly looking for experience. So what kind of opportunities should I be aiming for or creating?
Thanks,
Jbear