This isn’t just a podcast. It’s a movement for LOCALS ready to lead.In this episode of Local Real Estate Developers, we sit down with Marc Weisi, a former Wall Street analyst turned full-time real estate investor, to unpack how he went from house hacking in New Jersey to redeveloping a boutique hotel in the heart of San Juan, Puerto Rico.Marc doesn’t sugarcoat anything. He shares the unfiltered realities of transitioning from spreadsheets to scaffolding, the importance of trusting local operators, and how taking bold risks — in unfamiliar markets — can reshape your life and your portfolio. From navigating Act 60 and Opportunity Zones to managing egos on the ground, Marc’s story is a raw look at scaling up with purpose.This episode is a blueprint for anyone stuck in the mindset of “playing it safe,” and a call to action for locals ready to bet on themselves — and their communities.🔍 Topics Covered Include:✅ How Marc went from house hacking a triplex to managing a multi-million dollar syndication portfolio ✅ Why Puerto Rico? And how one phone call led to a full hotel redevelopment ✅ The real difference between being an investor vs. a developer ✅ Getting burned by a first GC — and how that shaped how Marc vets partners now ✅ The hard lessons behind managing local teams, design egos, and shifting scopes ✅ Using financial tools like Act 60 and OZs — and the risk behind the reward ✅ Why relationships — not spreadsheets — made this deal workMarc also speaks honestly about legacy, lifestyle, and the freedom that comes from building something real — not just profitable. 💡 “You don’t need to know everything. But you do need to move — and trust the right people when you do.” – Marc Weisi👉 Ready to become a local developer in your town? Apply for the Mentorship:https://www.localrealestatedeveloper.com/dev-mentorship🎧 Access all platforms, the Developer Vault, and more:https://linktr.ee/localrealestatedeveloper.Guest Name: Marc WeisiLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marc-weisi-0040b425/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@marcweisi 🎬 Chapters00:00 Introduction to Real Estate Development03:34 Marc Weisi's Journey into Real Estate06:01 Transitioning to Larger Projects and Raising Capital08:34 Exploring Hospitality Investments11:10 Investing in Puerto Rico: Opportunities and Incentives14:05 The Project: From Vision to Reality16:29 Building the Team and Overcoming Challenges24:49 Funding Strategies in Real Estate26:17 Navigating Local Banking and Debt27:13 Marketing and Building a Brand in Hospitality28:58 Challenges in Permitting and Construction33:22 Motivation and Community Impact35:42 Operational Excellence in Hospitality38:33 Understanding the Tourist Demographic41:11 Future Projects and Community Development#LocalRealEstateDeveloper #ThinkBigStartLocal #RealEstateWithHeart #LREDPodcast #BuildWhatMatters #CommunityFirst #FromVacantToVibrant #MentorshipMatters #NeighborhoodRebuilders #GatekeepingEndsHere