Hey Sean, I also like to talk to strangers... but everywhere, on trains, in restaurants, on a plane... I get excited about talking to strangers, and hearing what they do, what they like, regardless of whether or not we have things in common. The upside, is that I get to learn so much about many things, which fuels the conversational vocabulary to be able to hold even more conversations with different people. 6 months ago, I would have maybe spoken to a stranger who develops real estate (let's call him Sean)... I would have mainly listened with curiosity, asking questions. Then if I bumped into another stranger whose name was Joe, who happened to be a develooper... guess what... the conversation will be a lot richer, more animated, excited... positively emotionally charged... which is a contagious and good feeling... Now apply the same logics across all types of topics... It gets more exciting as I get older. Of course some people don't adhere to it, sometimes it's a cultural thing (I travel a little).... but hey that's life... you never know the outcome before striking that first hello. Anyway, your content rocks!
Thanks for the comment Christian! I agree. When I engage with all of these diverse minds daily, it changes the nature of my future conversations! And then sometimes I get the chance to connect two unrelated people that I've just recently met. Thanks for reading!
Sean, thanks so much for the wonderful post! My question is do you enjoy the real estate finance aspect to the job, ie: underwriting, pro formas, etc? Seems to be less of creative work and more analytical.
I think I’m probably a little different than most in the real estate industry when it comes to this question. I’m capable when it comes to the finance aspect of the job, but my strength is on the creative and design sign.
You definitely need to know your strengths and make sure to build a team around where you are weaker.
Do we get access to historical Q&As upon joining? Want to know if I have to listen to everything as it's uploaded or if I can batch them all at once at my convenience. This is awesome Sean.
Hey! Today’s newsletter is the first one, so we haven’t published any Q&As yet, but as a subscriber you will always have access to the entire catalog of them.
Sean, kudos on kicking off your blog! Your take on striking up conversations is spot on. At our core, the innate human tendency is not just to seek, but to see connections everywhere. It's a reminder that every great building, like every great chat, starts with a simple "hello." Looking forward to your next post. Here's to more chats and shared stories!
Hey Sean, great first post! I can see the value created by going through life this way, and will strive to practice it. I would've enjoyed a personal anecdote from you pertaining to this topic! Thank you and looking forward to your next post!
Love this! I love chatting people up too! There are so many opportunities in every connection - knowledge, perspective, friendship, a chance to help someone (or be helped)! You are right though, the fear of “what will people think?” can be paralyzing. But an individual’s voice can be so valuable - I recently started following you on linked in and have found your last few posts so relatable! I appreciate your voice and connection and just wanted to say thanks for sharing!
Hey Sean, As usual this met my expectation and surpassed it a little too maybe because of the inclusive format.
My question is also on raising/getting financing for projects - what point in the project planning do you start doing this? And at what part of the financing round, would you start work on the project?
Thank you so much Lerato! It makes me happy to hear it exceeded your expectations!!
There are two buckets of money needed on a development project. Predevelopment costs to get the project created and then equity when ready to build. We usually make sure we have a source for the predevelopment before we start moving at all (it’s usually our $$) and then we typically go out and raise equity when we have an approved project that is ready to build. But, if you are just getting started, it’s never too early to start talking to potential investors!
When we start raising money for a new project, it is usually always with people we already know. We prepare an offering memorandum that details the project (check w/your lawyer!) and then connect with people we know. I don't ever really ask - I simply say we are out looking for investors and ask them if they know anyone who might be interested? Many time that opens the door to the conversation.
Hey Sean, I also like to talk to strangers... but everywhere, on trains, in restaurants, on a plane... I get excited about talking to strangers, and hearing what they do, what they like, regardless of whether or not we have things in common. The upside, is that I get to learn so much about many things, which fuels the conversational vocabulary to be able to hold even more conversations with different people. 6 months ago, I would have maybe spoken to a stranger who develops real estate (let's call him Sean)... I would have mainly listened with curiosity, asking questions. Then if I bumped into another stranger whose name was Joe, who happened to be a develooper... guess what... the conversation will be a lot richer, more animated, excited... positively emotionally charged... which is a contagious and good feeling... Now apply the same logics across all types of topics... It gets more exciting as I get older. Of course some people don't adhere to it, sometimes it's a cultural thing (I travel a little).... but hey that's life... you never know the outcome before striking that first hello. Anyway, your content rocks!
Thanks for the comment Christian! I agree. When I engage with all of these diverse minds daily, it changes the nature of my future conversations! And then sometimes I get the chance to connect two unrelated people that I've just recently met. Thanks for reading!
Sean, thanks so much for the wonderful post! My question is do you enjoy the real estate finance aspect to the job, ie: underwriting, pro formas, etc? Seems to be less of creative work and more analytical.
Hey Isaac! Thanks for the comment.
I think I’m probably a little different than most in the real estate industry when it comes to this question. I’m capable when it comes to the finance aspect of the job, but my strength is on the creative and design sign.
You definitely need to know your strengths and make sure to build a team around where you are weaker.
Do we get access to historical Q&As upon joining? Want to know if I have to listen to everything as it's uploaded or if I can batch them all at once at my convenience. This is awesome Sean.
Hey! Today’s newsletter is the first one, so we haven’t published any Q&As yet, but as a subscriber you will always have access to the entire catalog of them.
Sean, kudos on kicking off your blog! Your take on striking up conversations is spot on. At our core, the innate human tendency is not just to seek, but to see connections everywhere. It's a reminder that every great building, like every great chat, starts with a simple "hello." Looking forward to your next post. Here's to more chats and shared stories!
Thank you so much for following along, Michael!
Hey Sean, great first post! I can see the value created by going through life this way, and will strive to practice it. I would've enjoyed a personal anecdote from you pertaining to this topic! Thank you and looking forward to your next post!
Great comment - more personal stories…got it!!
Love this! I love chatting people up too! There are so many opportunities in every connection - knowledge, perspective, friendship, a chance to help someone (or be helped)! You are right though, the fear of “what will people think?” can be paralyzing. But an individual’s voice can be so valuable - I recently started following you on linked in and have found your last few posts so relatable! I appreciate your voice and connection and just wanted to say thanks for sharing!
Thank you so much Chelsey! I’m so appreciative of the support.
Hey Sean, As usual this met my expectation and surpassed it a little too maybe because of the inclusive format.
My question is also on raising/getting financing for projects - what point in the project planning do you start doing this? And at what part of the financing round, would you start work on the project?
Thank you
Thank you so much Lerato! It makes me happy to hear it exceeded your expectations!!
There are two buckets of money needed on a development project. Predevelopment costs to get the project created and then equity when ready to build. We usually make sure we have a source for the predevelopment before we start moving at all (it’s usually our $$) and then we typically go out and raise equity when we have an approved project that is ready to build. But, if you are just getting started, it’s never too early to start talking to potential investors!
How do you ask for investment? With complete stranger? With a known contact?
Hey Adam!
When we start raising money for a new project, it is usually always with people we already know. We prepare an offering memorandum that details the project (check w/your lawyer!) and then connect with people we know. I don't ever really ask - I simply say we are out looking for investors and ask them if they know anyone who might be interested? Many time that opens the door to the conversation.
Hi Sean, very excited for your newsletter! I’d love to be able to duplicate some of what you’re doing in my area of North Carolina.
Great way to start off a newsletter. Thanks!!
Thanks Tor!! Appreciate it!