Part of our “Building Business” series appearing in Fine Homebuilding magazine.
By Hannah Bryant
For experienced builders, moving into real estate development can be an exciting opportunity to create long-term wealth, take greater ownership of projects, and help address local housing needs. But building for clients and developing your own projects are two very different things.
In her article for Fine Homebuilding, HELM's Hannah Bryant shares practical guidance for builders considering the transition.
She explores four key areas:
Understanding your capacity: Do you have the financial resources, time, and support to carry a project through completion?
Managing risk: What happens when permitting takes longer, costs increase, or unexpected challenges arise?
Securing funding: How can construction loans, equity partners, and local housing programs help make a project viable?
Planning before breaking ground: Why are realistic estimates, financial projections, and a detailed preconstruction schedule essential?
The takeaway? Successful development starts well before construction. Understanding the numbers, planning for uncertainty, and knowing what you're taking on can make the difference between a profitable project and a costly lesson.
Continue reading at Fine Homebuilding Magazine (Issue 343 - November 2026)
