A great property development starts with finding the right site—but not every piece of land is a good investment. In this episode of the Property Mastermind Podcast Hilary Saxton and Bob Andersen recap the recent “How To Find a Viable Development Site” event. They break down what makes a site viable, how to assess its potential, and the key red flags to avoid.
From understanding your budget and financial capacity to selecting the right location, zoning, and market demand, this episode provides a step-by-step guide to identifying profitable development opportunities.
Plus, Bob shares real-world insights from over 40 years in the industry, including how to negotiate better terms, what due diligence to focus on, and how to stay ahead of the competition.
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Episode Highlights:
- [00:00] Introduction – The importance of finding the right development site.
- [02:18] Masterclass Recap – Insights from the recent training session on site selection.
- [04:03] Step 1: Understand Your Budget – Why knowing what you can afford is the first step.
- [05:50] Finding Your “Patch” – How to identify the best suburbs and locations for development.
- [07:43] Key Factors for a Strong Site – What makes a site suitable for development?
- [09:57] Why Duplexes Are Trending – The reasons behind the rise in duplex developments.
- [12:00] The Biggest Challenge in Finding a Viable Site – How pricing and market conditions affect feasibility.
- [13:53] Feasibility & Due Diligence – Running the numbers and doing proper site assessments.
- [17:49] Market Demand & Buyer Preferences – Understanding what buyers want before you build.
- [22:02] How to Research Market Trends – Talking to agents, visiting open homes, and reviewing data.
- [23:59] Real-Life Development Example – How tweaking a design added $180K in value.
- [27:22] Negotiation Tactics for Better Terms – How to secure longer settlements and better prices.
- [29:20] Buyer-Ready Advantage – How being prepared can give you an edge in competitive markets.
- [32:14] The Biggest Red Flag in Site Selection – Why emotional decision-making can lead to costly mistakes.
- [34:02] Final Takeaways – How to confidently find and secure a viable development site.
