Real Estate Development Primer: An Introduction to the Development Process (2025)
173 pages.
Real Estate Development Primer: A Clear Path Through the Complexity of Property Development
Real estate development is more than just transactions—it’s a dynamic, multifaceted process that requires vision, strategy, and deep industry insight. Real Estate Development Primer is the essential guide for professionals and aspiring developers looking to master the intricate steps of the development cycle.
Unlike traditional texts that focus solely on technical or financial aspects, this book takes a holistic approach, integrating real-world experience with practical strategies to navigate today’s fast-changing landscape. Whether you’re evaluating a potential site, securing approvals, managing construction, or positioning a project for success, this book delivers a clear, structured roadmap to help you make informed decisions at every stage.
Inside, you’ll discover:
✅ How to generate and refine winning development ideas
✅ Key financial and marketing strategies for project success
✅ Step-by-step insights into approvals, construction, and execution
✅ Techniques to elevate your practice and stay competitive in a disruptive market
✅ Career-shaping advice to help you find your niche and build lasting impact
With its concise, digestible format and real-world applications, Real Estate Development Primer distills years of industry wisdom into a practical reference you’ll turn to again and again. Whether you're an industry veteran or new to the field, this book equips you with the essential tools to confidently navigate the complexities of real estate development and create thriving, high-impact projects.
Your blueprint for development success starts here.
What people are saying about this book:
A fantastic resource for anyone involved in development processes. A guide like this can make a huge difference in navigating the stages from concept to completion, ensuring that all necessary steps are thoroughly covered and helping to streamline the entire process.
—Bob Scragg, President, City Centre Homes
Brilliantly addresses the ever-growing complexity involved in developing real estate, and the undeniable requirement of soft skills and technical skills it takes to make things happen. If you are a seasoned industry veteran or newly aspiring to get involved in real estate development, this is an exceptional and highly relevant read.
—Michael Nygren, President, District Group
A succinct guide, emphasizing the integration of social, physical, and economic principles of real estate development. I am excited to test the practical application of this knowledge, alongside our traditional knowledge, as we embark on building trusted partnerships and expanding the economic opportunities of our Nation.
—Charlotte Connor, Director, Development Strategy, Métis Nation of British Columbia
Michael von Hausen presents a comprehensive guide to the real estate development process and how to take projects from ideas to implementation. Drawing from his decades of experience, he breaks down development to its key principles and techniques, with lessons and examples from his practice on how to make projects happen.
—Andy Yan, FCIP, RPP, Director of the City Program, Simon Fraser University; Associate Professor in Professional Practice, Urban Studies Program
Michael von Hausen’s wise, experienced advice, laid out in the Real Estate Development Primer, is a must for wannabe developers. He has uncovered the secret sauce to augment fledgling developers’ proposals, which will increase the odds of that development succeeding.
—Mike Harcourt, OC, former premier of British Columbia and former mayor, City of Vancouver
A highly readable and entertaining tour of key factors every real estate development team should consider, including both internal (your and your company’s perspective) and external (city, community, site), delivered with von Hausen’s trademark energy, insight, and enthusiasm.
—Mark Holland, FCIP, RPP, Principal, Westplan Consulting Group; Professor, Vancouver Island University, Master of Community Planning Program
173 pages.
Real Estate Development Primer: A Clear Path Through the Complexity of Property Development
Real estate development is more than just transactions—it’s a dynamic, multifaceted process that requires vision, strategy, and deep industry insight. Real Estate Development Primer is the essential guide for professionals and aspiring developers looking to master the intricate steps of the development cycle.
Unlike traditional texts that focus solely on technical or financial aspects, this book takes a holistic approach, integrating real-world experience with practical strategies to navigate today’s fast-changing landscape. Whether you’re evaluating a potential site, securing approvals, managing construction, or positioning a project for success, this book delivers a clear, structured roadmap to help you make informed decisions at every stage.
Inside, you’ll discover:
✅ How to generate and refine winning development ideas
✅ Key financial and marketing strategies for project success
✅ Step-by-step insights into approvals, construction, and execution
✅ Techniques to elevate your practice and stay competitive in a disruptive market
✅ Career-shaping advice to help you find your niche and build lasting impact
With its concise, digestible format and real-world applications, Real Estate Development Primer distills years of industry wisdom into a practical reference you’ll turn to again and again. Whether you're an industry veteran or new to the field, this book equips you with the essential tools to confidently navigate the complexities of real estate development and create thriving, high-impact projects.
Your blueprint for development success starts here.
What people are saying about this book:
A fantastic resource for anyone involved in development processes. A guide like this can make a huge difference in navigating the stages from concept to completion, ensuring that all necessary steps are thoroughly covered and helping to streamline the entire process.
—Bob Scragg, President, City Centre Homes
Brilliantly addresses the ever-growing complexity involved in developing real estate, and the undeniable requirement of soft skills and technical skills it takes to make things happen. If you are a seasoned industry veteran or newly aspiring to get involved in real estate development, this is an exceptional and highly relevant read.
—Michael Nygren, President, District Group
A succinct guide, emphasizing the integration of social, physical, and economic principles of real estate development. I am excited to test the practical application of this knowledge, alongside our traditional knowledge, as we embark on building trusted partnerships and expanding the economic opportunities of our Nation.
—Charlotte Connor, Director, Development Strategy, Métis Nation of British Columbia
Michael von Hausen presents a comprehensive guide to the real estate development process and how to take projects from ideas to implementation. Drawing from his decades of experience, he breaks down development to its key principles and techniques, with lessons and examples from his practice on how to make projects happen.
—Andy Yan, FCIP, RPP, Director of the City Program, Simon Fraser University; Associate Professor in Professional Practice, Urban Studies Program
Michael von Hausen’s wise, experienced advice, laid out in the Real Estate Development Primer, is a must for wannabe developers. He has uncovered the secret sauce to augment fledgling developers’ proposals, which will increase the odds of that development succeeding.
—Mike Harcourt, OC, former premier of British Columbia and former mayor, City of Vancouver
A highly readable and entertaining tour of key factors every real estate development team should consider, including both internal (your and your company’s perspective) and external (city, community, site), delivered with von Hausen’s trademark energy, insight, and enthusiasm.
—Mark Holland, FCIP, RPP, Principal, Westplan Consulting Group; Professor, Vancouver Island University, Master of Community Planning Program
173 pages.
Real Estate Development Primer: A Clear Path Through the Complexity of Property Development
Real estate development is more than just transactions—it’s a dynamic, multifaceted process that requires vision, strategy, and deep industry insight. Real Estate Development Primer is the essential guide for professionals and aspiring developers looking to master the intricate steps of the development cycle.
Unlike traditional texts that focus solely on technical or financial aspects, this book takes a holistic approach, integrating real-world experience with practical strategies to navigate today’s fast-changing landscape. Whether you’re evaluating a potential site, securing approvals, managing construction, or positioning a project for success, this book delivers a clear, structured roadmap to help you make informed decisions at every stage.
Inside, you’ll discover:
✅ How to generate and refine winning development ideas
✅ Key financial and marketing strategies for project success
✅ Step-by-step insights into approvals, construction, and execution
✅ Techniques to elevate your practice and stay competitive in a disruptive market
✅ Career-shaping advice to help you find your niche and build lasting impact
With its concise, digestible format and real-world applications, Real Estate Development Primer distills years of industry wisdom into a practical reference you’ll turn to again and again. Whether you're an industry veteran or new to the field, this book equips you with the essential tools to confidently navigate the complexities of real estate development and create thriving, high-impact projects.
Your blueprint for development success starts here.
What people are saying about this book:
A fantastic resource for anyone involved in development processes. A guide like this can make a huge difference in navigating the stages from concept to completion, ensuring that all necessary steps are thoroughly covered and helping to streamline the entire process.
—Bob Scragg, President, City Centre Homes
Brilliantly addresses the ever-growing complexity involved in developing real estate, and the undeniable requirement of soft skills and technical skills it takes to make things happen. If you are a seasoned industry veteran or newly aspiring to get involved in real estate development, this is an exceptional and highly relevant read.
—Michael Nygren, President, District Group
A succinct guide, emphasizing the integration of social, physical, and economic principles of real estate development. I am excited to test the practical application of this knowledge, alongside our traditional knowledge, as we embark on building trusted partnerships and expanding the economic opportunities of our Nation.
—Charlotte Connor, Director, Development Strategy, Métis Nation of British Columbia
Michael von Hausen presents a comprehensive guide to the real estate development process and how to take projects from ideas to implementation. Drawing from his decades of experience, he breaks down development to its key principles and techniques, with lessons and examples from his practice on how to make projects happen.
—Andy Yan, FCIP, RPP, Director of the City Program, Simon Fraser University; Associate Professor in Professional Practice, Urban Studies Program
Michael von Hausen’s wise, experienced advice, laid out in the Real Estate Development Primer, is a must for wannabe developers. He has uncovered the secret sauce to augment fledgling developers’ proposals, which will increase the odds of that development succeeding.
—Mike Harcourt, OC, former premier of British Columbia and former mayor, City of Vancouver
A highly readable and entertaining tour of key factors every real estate development team should consider, including both internal (your and your company’s perspective) and external (city, community, site), delivered with von Hausen’s trademark energy, insight, and enthusiasm.
—Mark Holland, FCIP, RPP, Principal, Westplan Consulting Group; Professor, Vancouver Island University, Master of Community Planning Program