Investing in Pre-development properties

[scrilla]

Has anyone done this?

Just looking for some non-specific advice here...

How has it worked out for you?
What are the pros?
What are the cons?
What are the risks?

Sorry for being so broad.

Scrilla

[mshalen]

The biggest risk is that the deal never gets done. This happens more often than not. Over the last 30 years I have seen many announced projects that never come close to coming out of the ground.

The developers track record would be the first thing I look at. Does he have a history of getting projects completed or has he had one or two home runs and many projects that never got off the drawing board?

The next item to look at is the ability to secure financing. People like to claim the money is hard but generaly it isn't.

I would also look very closely at the local market for whatever type of project you are considering. Is the demand really there? What competing projects are in the planning/approval/construction stages?

Sorry I can't get any more specific. If you want to share additional details you will probably get more detailed answers.