Property developers create and develop commercial and residential properties. They use many skills to spot profitable deals, negotiate costs, secure financing, manage development, and oversee construction.
As with all other professions, one’s skills are essential in determining success in the property development sphere.
To become a successful property developer, you will need the following skills.
1. Organisation Skills
The essence of property development is transforming a piece of land into a property that will capture the attention of real estate investors. That is the simple way of describing it.
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But property development involves a lot more. It is a complex venture involving multiple stages and numerous tasks.
A property developer works with many professionals, each playing a distinct role in actualising the project.
For example, you will need an architect to draw your plans, a lawyer to handle the legal requirements, the local council to approve the construction, and builders to do the building.
Most of the time, you will need to interact with and consult more than one professional or organisation at a time.
Moreover, property development involves overseeing your project through its entire lifecycle, which includes the following phases:
- Initiation – Site Selection, Budgeting & Feasibility Study
- Planning – Design, Documentation, Permit Application & Tendering
- Execution – Contract Execution & Construction
- Closure – Defects liability period, pre-sale, title registration, sales and marketing
Successfully navigating through each of these phases and balancing its tasks and responsibilities requires a great deal of organisation skills.
Organisation skills will enable you to prioritise tasks and guide you in tracking timelines to ensure milestones and tasks remain on track.
Organisation skills will also help you to manage communication with the various stakeholders involved in the project. This ensures that everyone remains engaged and informed throughout the project.
2. Understanding Construction and Design Principles
Any successful property developer will tell you that a project’s design plays a crucial role in its success.
Identifying the ideal piece of land on which to complete your project is another critical aspect of project development.
It is critical to familiarise yourself with all aspects of the property that will impact the value of the investment.
For instance, before purchasing a property, confirm whether:
- It falls within your budget
- It can support your design aspirations
- It can host a property that will attract your targeted market
Understanding construction and design principles will enable you to appreciate the various components of the ideal property.
3. Decision-Making Skills
The property development process involves making many decisions.
Some decisions, including when to commence construction, may be time-sensitive because delays could mean missing market demand requirements.
Meanwhile, fluctuating building and material costs will push you to make difficult choices on keeping costs manageable without compromising safety.
Good decision-making skills allow you to examine all the facts, comprehend the current state of your project, and settle for an ideal course of action.
Other project development aspects where your good decision-making skills will come in handy include:
- Selecting the team of professionals to actualise the project
- Settling for a workflow strategy
- Brainstorming sessions when you need to change some aspects of the project
- Deciding what aspects of the market trends and predictions to incorporate into your project
For example, your market prediction can influence your resolve to construct apartments instead of townhouses.
The good news is that you will be working with many professionals who will provide information to guide you in making informed decisions.
You will also discover that decision-making becomes easier with experience. With time, it becomes easier to make accurate and quick decisions.
4. Negotiation and Communication Skills
Communication skills are critical in project management because they allow the project to progress promptly and smoothly.
Good communication will ensure that all the team members are familiar with and aligned with your project’s objectives and perform their roles effectively.
Since the team will comprise professionals from diverse backgrounds and different skills, effective communication allows you to keep every person informed and updated on their tasks and expectations.
Apart from facilitating the exchange of ideas among different professionals, effective communication helps build trust among the various stakeholders. A trusting relationship will motivate the various professionals to consult with one another as they work towards completing the project.
Meanwhile, negotiation skills will help you get the best deals to minimise expenses and profits.
For example, excellent negotiating skills will enable you to buy land competitively. Similarly, it can help you negotiate favourable charges for professional services and construction costs.
5. Knowledge of Real Estate Market Trends and Regulations
If you hope to make good profits in property development, you can’t afford to invest blindly. Knowledge of real estate market trends and regulations will enable you to understand the factors determining the profit you can make from a project.
The property market is dynamic. The type of properties customers want today is not necessarily what they will want tomorrow. As a property developer, you will have to thoroughly scrutinise the property market before making your investment decision.
Here are some examples of real estate market forces that can affect your property development decision:
- Supply and demand forces
- Pricing trends
- Environmental regulations
- Government regulations
- Economic conditions
- Interest rates
- Proximity to school zone
Lastly, pay attention to any planning and building regulation changes because these can impact your property development plans and costs.
6. Financial and Business Skills
Property development is a business. You will be investing in land and construction while hoping to make much more than you spent completing the project. Hence, you will find business and financial skills invaluable.
Business and financial skills will guide you in completing several critical tasks as you aspire to maximise your returns. These tasks include:
- Creating and managing your budget
- Identifying and evaluating potential risks and returns associated with your project
- Understanding and implementing strategies to maximise profits
- Understanding and navigating the various legal and regulatory requirements that guide property development
- Evaluating financial tools and models to evaluate the feasibility of your project even before you launch it.
- Using financial data and statements to make informed decisions
- Reading market trends and predicting projects that can maximise your returns
Although you could hire several professionals to accomplish these tasks, you are still the ultimate decision-maker. Sound business and financial skills will help you make the right decisions, especially when facing a dilemma.
7. Problem-Solving Skills
A property developer should be an expert in solving problems, given the many challenges you will likely face while developing your project. Making profits in property development depends on how well you solve the consumers’ housing problem.
Meanwhile, given the dynamic nature of property development, you will have to identify problems early on and resolve them before they become bigger issues.
Excellent problem-solving skills will also enable you to:
- Anticipate and plan for potential problems before they manifest
- Adapt and adjust solutions as needed
- Gather and analyse relevant data and information related to the problem and appropriate solutions
- Continuously monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of the solution you have selected
The good thing is that you will be dealing with many professionals who will provide you with many solutions. Consequently, your work will be reduced to selecting and implementing the most appropriate solution.
Wrapping Up
Property development is lucrative, but you need multiple skills to succeed and make profits. Having and practising all the above skills can be an uphill task, but do not allow these needs to overwhelm you. Get assistance from experienced and skilful professionals at SQM Architects.
SQM Architects will help you through your entire property development journey. From identifying the right site to completing the construction of your design. They will give you expert advice and help you accomplish tasks that require skills you may not possess. Make your property development project easier to accomplish by contacting SQM Architects before you decide to purchase land and put up a property.
How to gain professional insights for FREE, no strings attached
Unsure about your next building project? Get expert advice, no strings attached! Take advantage of our FREE consultation at SQM Architects. We’re here to answer your queries and bring clarity to your vision. With our transparent process and reputable track record, your project is in capable hands.
About the Author
Sammi Lian, the founder of SQM Architects, has dedicated over 15 years of her career to the architectural industry. She works diligently with property developers, builders, investors, and homeowners, using her skills and knowledge to facilitate their building design needs.
