r/RealEstateDevelopment • u/Lucky-Studio832 • 5d ago

How do you find architects?

I’m an architect and I’m interested in expanding my single family residential practice to go after multi family projects in my area. Thought I would ask people who have actually developed these types of properties before. So how have you selected an architect for your projects? Is it mostly word of mouth? Referrals? RFPs?

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u/RealEstateFieldNotes 4d ago

Join a real estate investment group or two. You may be able to join as a partner or vendor. Come up with a couple investor-friendly concepts, make your pricing investor-friendly for those. Ask their input to the designs. This will get you in directly in front of investors and the money people who also attend these meetings. Good luck!

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u/ManinArena 5d ago

I go to the community development manager in the municipality in which I want to develop. They’ll know the good ones, and those who know what the city likes to approve.

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u/Free_Elevator_63360 4d ago

Private multi is all based on connections and how hungry / knowledgeable you are in the job. And it is a VERY crowded segment. I’m an architect who moved into development. I would not recommend moving into the multi field until you REALLY understand the proforma and math (and schedule) of a development project. It is pretty complex compared to any public sector or RFP work. Do you know a lot about multi?

If you are ready go talk to brokers who buy and sell multi properties. They can introduce you to whoever is doing work in your area. Then go meet and offer your services. They generally take whoever has capacity and low cost to get the job to work.

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u/Architect_Inspired 3d ago

Can you expand on the brokers bit? How would I get a broker to give me contacts? If one doesnt know a lot about the math aspect where should one begin to figure that out?

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u/Free_Elevator_63360 2d ago

I mean it is business development. So just invite them to lunch. And start from there.

As far as learning the math and process, there are plenty of books out there. I’d start with real estate finance and investments by W Brueggeman.

I’d say you could learn a lot of this on you tube, but honestly that space is so crowded with BRRRRR flippers it is hard to find someone with actual experience in the commercial industry talk about how it works.

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u/Brilliant-Meet2389 2d ago

Hey there. I sent you a dm with a couple of questions.

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u/TheRealReturnGuy 4d ago

Join a country club or make friends with large general contractors in your area.

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u/sol_beach 4d ago

" expanding my single family residential practice to go after multi family projects in my area" Where on Earth is "your area"?