(51) Why Development Projects Fail: The 6 Pillars of Success, Part 2

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Lessons Learned: The Development Readiness Framework for Managing Real Estate Risk

Payam, hosts part two of a “lessons learned” series on Real Estate Development Insights, reframing real estate development as risk management requiring timely, effective decision-making. He introduces a six-pillar “development readiness” framework: (1) local market fundamentals—build what you should, not just what you can, considering rents, vacancy, long-term demand for purpose-built rentals, parking policy shifts in Toronto, transit timing risk, product-market fit, and site constraints like utilities, easements, and construction logistics; (2) capital structure and feasibility—projects rise or fall on the pro forma, investor scrutiny, realistic costs, equity reliability, financing mechanics, and clear exit plans; (3) ownership, tax, and liability—wrong legal/tax structuring can unravel deals, with risk handled by eliminating, transferring, mitigating, or accepting; (4) design and approvals—choose “slide vs push,” set targets, pursue risk-adjusted highest and best use, and build an experienced team; (5) execution—construction is highest risk, requiring strong preconstruction, realistic pricing, and careful procurement; (6) mindset—developers “bring the weather,” treat problems as inherent, and stay obsessively engaged (the “4-6-7-10” pattern).

00:00 Welcome and Setup

00:43 Recap Risk and Decisions

02:44 Six Pillars Overview

03:35 Local Market Fundamentals

08:44 Site Constraints and Logistics

10:41 Capital and Feasibility

15:40 Ownership Tax and Liability

19:57 Design and Approvals Strategy

27:25 Execution and Construction Risk

31:13 Mindset and Closing Thoughts

For more information, please refer to RealEstateDevelopmentInsights.com

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