Replies

1. 
   mrhodes | Feb 21, 2004 10:43pm | #1

   I would find somebody who has done it and take them to lunch to learn from them. 

   Also, I would start small until you get the hang of it.  Buy an acre lot and sell those houses before you go out and buy 100 acres.

2. 
   LostSouth | Feb 22, 2004 01:55am | #2

   Check out the books available at the Urban Land Institute

3. 
   bill_1010 | Feb 22, 2004 02:59am | #3

   An engineering firm that does land use planning and development would be your best bet, they can give you pretty close estimates of pricing. Plus if youre in a city or county that zones they can help make sure your subdivision will be up to par for admittance.

   You need to decide if youre going to just sell lots or build the houses.   If youve got the location, location and location and can sell off in 3 yrs or less you might make a profit.

4. 
   jjwalters | Feb 22, 2004 01:21pm | #4

   Find a farmer with some good land........form a limited partnership ....he gets a nice percentage, but has little or no  day to day say.... you get control.

   Build a gated community of small nicely designed houses affordable to the retirement crowd.........maybe even cluster them........have a designated park/picnic area and walking trail..............work around the trees instead of raping the land......make it perty and they will come checkbook in hand.

   There are fast carpenters who care..... there are slow carpenters who care more.....there are half fast carpenters who could care less......