What if the deal you keep driving past is not too risky… it is just waiting on you to believe in it?

In this episode of the Local Real Estate Developer Podcast, Dana McMahan shares the real story behind acquiring and transforming a 16-unit building in Louisville. No trust fund. No institutional backing. Just a cashed-out 401k, equity from her personal home, and the willingness to bet on herself.

When the opportunity showed up, she did not have twenty percent down. Traditional financing was tight. The numbers were close. But Dana saw what others missed. She saw a character. She saw a neighborhood people loved. She saw a path to nearly doubling revenue through thoughtful renovations, midterm rentals, and strong storytelling.

Over four years, revenue grew from roughly $105,000 to $187,000. Not because she slapped on luxury finishes. Because she understood her market, leaned into the building’s charm, and created an experience that resonated.

This episode is about creative financing, calculated risk, and trusting your instincts when the spreadsheets feel tight but the vision feels right.

What We Cover:

✅ How Dana pieced together financing using savings, a 401k, and a HELOC

✅ The realities of lender hesitation and how she navigated it

✅ Why she chose midterm rentals during COVID and how that strategy paid off

✅ Turning “dated” features into a brand advantage instead of a liability

✅ The revenue growth strategy that nearly doubled performance in four years

✅ Lessons learned about partnerships, defined roles, and communication

✅ The emotional side of development and how journaling helped her stay grounded

✅ Why she ultimately shifted from day-to-day operations to focus on design and consulting

Bold Truth:

You do not need perfect timing or perfect capital. You need conviction, creativity, and the courage to back your own vision in your own backyard.

🎧 Developer Vault Drop:

Dana shares real lessons from structuring the deal, managing risk, and repositioning a small multifamily asset for stronger returns.

Connect with Dana:

🌐 Website: https://www.elleferafera.com/

📲 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elleferafera/

💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danamcmahan/

Listen + Subscribe:

Watch full episodes on YouTube or listen on Spotify & Apple Podcasts.

Want more from Kristi?

Hear how she’s helping locals become developers in their own communities without the gatekeeping.

🎧 Local Real Estate Developer Podcast Playlist →

👉 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

🎬 Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the Podcast and Hosts

08:47 Lessons Learned from Renovation Experiences

15:49 Navigating Regulations for Short-Term Rentals

22:39 From Landlord to Multifamily Investor

30:27 Transforming Properties for Profit

37:13 The Power of Partnerships

44:09 Advice for Aspiring Developers

#localrealestatedeveloper #realestateinvesting #womeninrealestate #mindsetmatters #communitydevelopment #realestatejourney #propertyinvestor #infilldevelopment #therealestatedeveloper #partnerships #elevateswfl

What if real estate stopped extracting from communities and started healing them?

In this episode of the Local Real Estate Developer Podcast, Kristi and Raphael sit down with Neal Collins to unpack one of the most honest and unconventional development journeys we have heard.

Neal did not grow up dreaming of commercial real estate. He started in the Peace Corps, worked in global community development, and eventually found himself building $30M to $300M mixed-use projects. But after family health crises forced a hard reset, Neal stepped away from cookie-cutter multifamily and brokerage growth at all costs and began asking deeper questions.

This conversation goes deep into what it actually takes to build these kinds of places. From entitlement battles and capital stacks to landowner conversations, investor education, and why most developers burn out doing the same projects on repeat.

Neal also shares how agrihoods work in practice, why peri-urban land is the sweet spot, and how developers can step into more meaningful work without taking on every ounce of risk themselves.

What We Cover:

✅ Neal’s path from Peace Corps and nonprofit work to large-scale commercial development

✅ Why he walked away from traditional multifamily and property management

✅ The personal loss that reshaped his philosophy around housing and community

✅ What agrihoods really are and how conservation communities are structured

✅ Why clustering homes creates stronger villages and lowers infrastructure costs

✅ How pre-entitlement is the riskiest but highest-opportunity phase of development

✅ Aligning landowners, municipalities, developers, and investors around one vision

✅ Why remote work is fueling demand for walkable, food-centered communities

✅ How agricultural, nonprofit, and real estate capital can work together

✅ Practical advice for new developers with land or small projects

✅ Why development is a team sport and how partnerships unlock scale

✅ Neal’s vision for regenerative building materials and healthier homes

✅ What the next 5 to 10 years looks like for this model of development

Bold Truth:

Real estate does not have to be extractive. When developers lead with values, community becomes infrastructure and land becomes legacy.

🎧 Listen now to hear how Neal Collins walked away from cookie-cutter development, leaned into uncertainty, and started rebuilding communities by blending real estate, agriculture, and purpose right where people actually live.

Connect with Neal:

🌐 Website: https://www.hamlet.capital/

📲 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/neal_transforms/

💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/neal-collins-723515112/

Listen + Subscribe:

Watch full episodes on YouTube or listen on Spotify & Apple Podcasts.

Want more from Kristi?

Hear how she’s helping locals become developers in their own communities without the gatekeeping.

🎧 Local Real Estate Developer Podcast Playlist →

👉 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

🎬 Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Real Estate Development and Community Building

07:06 The Concept of Agrihoods and Sustainable Communities

11:47 The Evolution of Knowledge in Real Estate Development

17:20 Engaging Stakeholders in Innovative Development Projects

25:12 Market Demand and Trends in Rural Real Estate

26:11 Shifts in the Real Estate Market

27:02 Creating Sustainable Communities

28:59 The Role of Partnerships in Development

30:01 Innovative Development Strategies

34:07 The Future of Real Estate Development

37:20 Navigating the Complexities of Development

42:41 Vision for the Next Decade

#localrealestatedeveloper #realestateinvesting #womeninrealestate #mindsetmatters #communitydevelopment #realestatejourney #propertyinvestor #infilldevelopment #therealestatedeveloper #partnerships #elevateswfl

Most people wait until they feel ready.Steph Weber bought land and learned on the fly.What started as curiosity about real estate turned into a hands-on crash course in zoning, city processes, design decisions, and risk. Steph did not come from a development background. She learned by doing, asking questions, and staying in the room even when things felt overwhelming.In this episode, Kristi and Raphael sit down with Steph Weber to unpack what it really looks like to step into development without having it all figured out. From her first land purchase to navigating municipalities, consultants, and project setbacks, Steph shares the real behind-the-scenes of becoming a local developer.Her story is about taking imperfect action, building confidence through experience, and realizing that you do not need to be an expert to start. You just need the courage to move forward and the humility to learn along the way.This conversation matters for anyone sitting on the sidelines, waiting for the “right time,” or wondering if they are qualified to build.Steph proves you do not need permission to start shaping your community.What We Cover:✅ How Steph went from curious investor to landowner✅ Buying property before having all the answers✅ Learning zoning and city processes in real time✅ The importance of asking questions and leaning on professionals✅ Navigating uncertainty and self doubt as a first-time developer✅ Why proximity to the project matters and how being local changes everything✅ Lessons learned from early mistakes and growing pains✅ How each step built confidence for the next oneBold Truth:You do not become a developer by waiting until you feel ready. You become one by taking action, learning fast, and staying committed to building something meaningful where you live.🎧 Listen now to hear how Steph took imperfect action, bought land before she felt ready, and committed to learning development by building right where she lives.Connect with Steph: 🌐 Website: https://www.theweberco.com/ 📲 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theweberco/ 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephweberbrandcoach/ Listen + Subscribe:Watch full episodes on YouTube or listen on Spotify & Apple Podcasts.Want more from Kristi? Hear how she’s helping locals become developers in their own communities without the gatekeeping. 🎧 Local Real Estate Developer Podcast Playlist →👉 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🎬 Chapters00:00 Introduction to the Local Real Estate Developer Podcast01:40 Steph Weber's Journey into Short-Term Rentals05:47 The Entrepreneurial Spirit and Overcoming Challenges10:35 Building Partnerships and Structuring Deals14:17 Navigating Construction and Permitting Challenges20:09 Phased Development Approach and Financing36:40 Motivation and Vision in Entrepreneurship40:38 Taking the Leap: Advice for Aspiring Developers49:34 Future Plans and the Camping Adventure#localrealestatedeveloper #realestateinvesting #womeninrealestate #mindsetmatters #communitydevelopment #realestatejourney #propertyinvestor #infilldevelopment #therealestatedeveloper #partnerships #elevateswfl

What if the people shaping your neighborhood actually lived there?

Desmond Dunn didn’t grow up knowing he could be a real estate developer. No one in his community looked like him who was building anything. So he taught himself. For ten years. Nights on Zillow. Deep dives into zoning code. Sketching site plans at the kitchen table while everyone else was out living life.

In this episode, Kristi and Raphael sit down with Desmond to talk about what it really means to be a community-first developer. Not chasing scale. Not chasing ego. Just showing up, doing the work, and building five to fifty units at a time in the neighborhoods that raised him.

This is a raw conversation about the invisible grind, the barriers small developers face, and why affordable housing will never be solved by big developers alone. Desmond breaks down why local developers are the missing middle, why cities need translators between policy and people, and why designing from spreadsheets is failing real communities.

If you have ever looked at a vacant lot, an empty storefront, or an overgrown parcel in your town and thought, someone should do something about that, this episode is for you.

What We Cover:

✅ Leaving a draining sales career to follow the work that actually energized him

✅ Teaching himself development without money by practicing on real lots and zoning codes

✅ Why flipping houses was not enough and how duplexes and small multifamily changed everything

✅ The ten-year grind of learning in silence before anyone knew his name

✅ Why big developers are not going to close the affordable housing gap

✅ How small, local developers collectively make the real impact

✅ The hidden costs and barriers of rezoning, RFPs, and city processes

✅ Why cities have good intentions but often do not understand the developer side

✅ The need for translators between planning language and real human language

✅ Community engagement as a starting point, not a checkbox

✅ Cultural context, historical harm, and why it matters in development decisions

✅ Designing for people instead of designing from spreadsheets

✅ Why credibility is built one small project at a time

✅ Advice for aspiring developers who feel stuck on the sidelines

Bold Truth:

Affordable housing and healthy neighborhoods will not be built by outsiders chasing returns. They will be built by locals who know the streets, know the people, and are willing to start small and stay committed.

🎧 Listen now to hear how Desmond chose community over convenience and committed to building where he lives, even when the path took a decade to take shape.

Connect with Desmond:

💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/desmondcdunn/

Listen + Subscribe:

Watch full episodes on YouTube or listen on Spotify & Apple Podcasts.

Want more from Kristi?

Hear how she’s helping locals become developers in their own communities without the gatekeeping.

🎧 Local Real Estate Developer Podcast Playlist →

👉 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

🎬 Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the Local Real Estate Developer Podcast

01:34 Desmond Dunn's Journey into Real Estate Development

07:13 The Importance of Community Engagement in Development

12:19 Navigating the Challenges of Development

18:04 Building Relationships with Local Governments

24:16 The Role of Smaller Developers in Closing the Housing Gap

29:44 Shifting Perspectives in Real Estate Development

35:38 Advice for Aspiring Developers

41:18 Conclusion and Future Aspirations

#localrealestatedeveloper #realestateinvesting #womeninrealestate #mindsetmatters #communitydevelopment #realestatejourney #propertyinvestor #infilldevelopment #therealestatedeveloper #partnerships #elevateswfl

What if the deal you keep driving past is not too risky… it is just waiting on you to believe in it?

In this episode of the Local Real Estate Developer Podcast, Dana McMahan shares the real story behind acquiring and transforming a 16-unit building in Louisville. No trust fund. No institutional backing. Just a cashed-out 401k, equity from her personal home, and the willingness to bet on herself.

When the opportunity showed up, she did not have twenty percent down. Traditional financing was tight. The numbers were close. But Dana saw what others missed. She saw a character. She saw a neighborhood people loved. She saw a path to nearly doubling revenue through thoughtful renovations, midterm rentals, and strong storytelling.

Over four years, revenue grew from roughly $105,000 to $187,000. Not because she slapped on luxury finishes. Because she understood her market, leaned into the building’s charm, and created an experience that resonated.

This episode is about creative financing, calculated risk, and trusting your instincts when the spreadsheets feel tight but the vision feels right.

What We Cover:

✅ How Dana pieced together financing using savings, a 401k, and a HELOC

✅ The realities of lender hesitation and how she navigated it

✅ Why she chose midterm rentals during COVID and how that strategy paid off

✅ Turning “dated” features into a brand advantage instead of a liability

✅ The revenue growth strategy that nearly doubled performance in four years

✅ Lessons learned about partnerships, defined roles, and communication

✅ The emotional side of development and how journaling helped her stay grounded

✅ Why she ultimately shifted from day-to-day operations to focus on design and consulting

Bold Truth:

You do not need perfect timing or perfect capital. You need conviction, creativity, and the courage to back your own vision in your own backyard.

🎧 Developer Vault Drop:

Dana shares real lessons from structuring the deal, managing risk, and repositioning a small multifamily asset for stronger returns.

Connect with Dana:

🌐 Website: https://www.elleferafera.com/

📲 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elleferafera/

💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danamcmahan/

Listen + Subscribe:

Watch full episodes on YouTube or listen on Spotify & Apple Podcasts.

Want more from Kristi?

Hear how she’s helping locals become developers in their own communities without the gatekeeping.

🎧 Local Real Estate Developer Podcast Playlist →

👉 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

🎬 Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the Podcast and Hosts

08:47 Lessons Learned from Renovation Experiences

15:49 Navigating Regulations for Short-Term Rentals

22:39 From Landlord to Multifamily Investor

30:27 Transforming Properties for Profit

37:13 The Power of Partnerships

44:09 Advice for Aspiring Developers

#localrealestatedeveloper #realestateinvesting #womeninrealestate #mindsetmatters #communitydevelopment #realestatejourney #propertyinvestor #infilldevelopment #therealestatedeveloper #partnerships #elevateswfl

What would it take for you to walk away from a 14-year corporate career with no clear plan and bet on yourself?For Dedria Kolb, it was the pull to build something real.In this episode of the Local Real Estate Developers Podcast, Kristi sits down with Dedria Kolb, a former corporate attorney turned first-time developer who left the legal grind to build a tiny home village in rural North Carolina. With no prior development track record, Dedria bootstrapped her first deal, navigated zoning gray areas, managed construction herself, and opened a fully leased 10-acre tiny home community in under a year.This conversation is a raw look at what it actually takes to start from zero, learn in public, and push a project forward when the path is anything but clear. From hitting rock in the ground to hitting walls with banks and bureaucracy, Dedria shares the real lessons that don’t show up in textbooks but define every developer’s journey.If you are on the fence about development or knee-deep in your first project wondering what you signed up for, this episode is your reminder that you are not starting from scratch and that building with purpose is worth the long game.What We Cover: ✅ Leaving a 14-year corporate legal career to pursue development ✅ Why you are never starting from zero, only starting from experience ✅ Bootstrapping a first development and self-funding phase one ✅ Building and leasing a tiny home village with a lot-lease model ✅ Working through zoning, permitting, and legal gray areas ✅ Managing construction without a general contractor ✅ Lessons learned from rock, water, and blown timelines ✅ Why community, not just housing, was the real goal ✅ The long game of development and why money cannot be the only motivator ✅ Supporting more women at the development tableBold Truth:You do not need a perfect plan or permission to build. You need the courage to start, the grit to adapt, and the commitment to keep going when it gets hard.🎧 Listen now to hear how Dedria chose purpose over comfort and built something real when the path was anything but clear.Connect with Dedria: 📲 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hey_dedriak/ 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dedriaharper/ Listen + Subscribe: Watch full episodes on YouTube or listen on Spotify & Apple Podcasts.Want more from Kristi? Hear how she’s helping locals become developers in their own communities without the gatekeeping. 🎧 Local Real Estate Developer Podcast Playlist →👉 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🎬 Chapters00:00 Introduction to Deidre Kolb01:35 Transitioning from Attorney to Developer06:07 The First Project: Tiny Home Village11:33 Challenges and Lessons Learned16:11 Community Impact and Relationships21:06 Finding Contractors and Managing Construction27:26 Learning Through Experience28:55 The Importance of Mentorship30:36 Building a Support Network32:11 Staying Motivated in Challenges36:38 Advice for Aspiring Developers40:17 Future Aspirations and Community Impact#localrealestatedeveloper #realestateinvesting #womeninrealestate #mindsetmatters #communitydevelopment #realestatejourney #propertyinvestor #infilldevelopment #therealestatedeveloper #partnerships #elevateswfl

Local development is not just about finding deals.

It is about people, trust, and choosing the right kind of capital.

In this episode, Kristi Kandel and Raphael Collazo sit down for an in person conversation about what it really takes to scale local development while staying true to your mission. From juggling hundreds of moving parts in a development to deciding when to bring in partners, they break down the real decisions developers face behind the scenes.

They talk openly about the limits of using only personal capital, the difference between JV partnerships and syndications, and why not all money is good money. Drawing from years of experience with private equity, venture capital, and local projects, Kristi and Raphael share why being intentional about who you work with is just as important as the deal itself.

The conversation also looks ahead to 2026 and beyond. They explore the vision for Elevate as a community driven project, the importance of building locally with locals, and why growing a national community of local developers starts with small, consistent action. From informal meetups to walking projects together, this episode highlights how connection creates momentum.

This episode is a grounded reminder that no one starts at the top. You start small, build skills, earn trust, and over time open the door to bigger projects with bigger impact.

What We Cover:

✅ Why development means managing a thousand moving parts at once

✅ The limits of using only your own capital

✅ JV partnerships versus syndications and when each makes sense

✅ Why not all money is good money

✅ Lessons learned from private equity and venture capital

✅ Protecting your vision while scaling impact

✅ Building projects with locals, for locals, with locals

✅ Starting small and growing into larger community driven development

✅ The vision for meetups and a national local developer community in 2026

Bold Truth:

You can make real impact without starting big. Start small, choose your partners wisely, and stay intentional as you grow.

Connect with Kristi:

🌐 Website: https://kristikandel.com/

📲 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kristikandel/

💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristi-kandel-4b650a12/

Connect with Raphael:

🌐 Website: http://www.raphaelcollazo.com/

📲 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/commercial_louisville/

💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/raphaelcollazo/

Listen + Subscribe:

Watch full episodes on YouTube or listen on Spotify & Apple Podcasts.

Want more from Kristi?

Hear how she’s helping locals become developers in their own communities without the gatekeeping.

🎧 Local Real Estate Developer Podcast Playlist →

👉 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

#localrealestatedeveloper #realestateinvesting #womeninrealestate #mindsetmatters #communitydevelopment #realestatejourney #propertyinvestor #infilldevelopment #therealestatedeveloper #partnerships #elevateswfl

Most people look at San Diego and say, “It’s too expensive.”

Brian Koons looked at it and said, “There has to be a smarter way.”

From serving in the military to house hacking, ADUs, and small-scale infill development, Brian didn’t break into real estate with big money or shortcuts. He built it one disciplined decision at a time in one of the toughest markets in the country.

In this episode, Kristi and Raphael sit down with Brian Koons to unpack the unglamorous but powerful reality of local development. The learning curve. The deals that barely pencil. The partnerships that test you. And the slow, intentional approach that keeps you in the game when fast money would wipe you out.

This conversation pulls back the curtain on what it actually takes to develop locally in high-barrier cities like San Diego. It is not about hype or scale at all costs. It is about control, patience, and building something you can stand behind.

If you are an aspiring or active local developer trying to figure out how to move from small wins to real projects without blowing yourself up, this episode is required listening.

What We Cover:

✅ How Brian used house hacking and ADUs as a real entry point into development

✅ The transition from small projects to urban infill in a high-cost market

✅ Why partnerships can make or break a deal and how misalignment shows up fast

✅ The real risks of development that no one puts on Instagram

✅ Why some deals technically work but still lose money

✅ The importance of slowing down to protect your downside

✅ What it actually means to take ownership as the developer

✅ Why no one will care about your project as much as you do

✅ Teaching and mentoring local developers without selling false promises

Bold Truth:

Local development is not about moving fast. It is about making disciplined decisions, owning your mistakes, and building projects that still make sense when the market stops being friendly.

🎧 Listen now to hear how Brian approached development locally, navigated high costs and real risk, and built discipline before chasing bigger projects.

Connect with Brian:

🌐 Website: https://linktr.ee/thebuilderbrian?utm_source=linktree_profile_share<sid=661ec2ca-999a-4662-a688-062df6e4c772

📲 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebuilderbrian/

💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/briankoons/

Listen + Subscribe:

Watch full episodes on YouTube or listen on Spotify & Apple Podcasts.

Want more from Kristi?

Hear how she’s helping locals become developers in their own communities without the gatekeeping.

🎧 Local Real Estate Developer Podcast Playlist →

👉 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

🎬 Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Real Estate Development

02:44 Brian Koons' Journey into Real Estate

05:52 The Importance of Learning Through Experience

08:41 Overcoming Initial Hurdles in Real Estate

11:27 Navigating the First Projects

14:34 The Role of Team Dynamics in Development

17:16 Challenges in Development Projects

20:09 Lessons Learned from Early Projects

26:15 The Cost of Poor Planning

27:32 The Importance of Team Coordination

29:42 Setting Projects Up for Success

32:52 The Role of Accountability in Development

33:41 Maintaining Motivation in Development

37:34 Advice for New Developers

42:14 Community-Driven Development

47:17 Future Projects and Goals

#localrealestatedeveloper #realestateinvesting #womeninrealestate #mindsetmatters #communitydevelopment #realestatejourney #propertyinvestor #infilldevelopment #therealestatedeveloper #partnerships #elevateswfl

After years glued to a screen building income through social media, Christopher Oester hit a breaking point.He was burned out. Tired. And looking for a way to turn short term hustle into something real.So he took a leap. A big one.In this episode of the Local Real Estate Developer Podcast, Kristi and Raphael sit down with Chris to unpack what it actually looks like to jump into ground up development with no construction background, no design experience, and a whole lot on the line.From buying his first lot in a conservation district to taking on three builds at once, serving as his own general contractor, and staring down massive monthly interest payments, Chris shares the unfiltered reality of learning development in real time.This is a raw conversation about fear, financing, partnerships, mentorship, and the mental pressure that comes with building something from the ground up. It is not about getting it perfect. It is about taking responsibility, asking questions, and continuing to show up when things get uncomfortable.If you are a local investor wondering whether development is really possible for someone without experience, this episode pulls the curtain back and shows you what it actually takes.What We Cover: ✅ Transitioning from social media income to real estate development ✅ Why starting in Dallas made more sense than Miami ✅ Buying a lot in a conservation district and what that really means ✅ Acting as your own general contractor with no prior experience ✅ The financial reality of interest payments, soft costs, and lending terms ✅ How mentors and partners actually work in practice ✅ Why asking questions early can save time, money, and stress ✅ The mindset required to keep going when fear and pressure set in ✅ How development impacts community and why locals matterBold Truth:Local development is not about knowing everything before you start. It is about taking initiative, staying accountable, and being willing to learn in public while building something that outlives you.🎧 Listen now to hear how Chris took action before he felt ready, learned development in real time, and proved that the deal that changes your life is often the one you commit to before you have all the answers.Connect with Christopher: 📲 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itschrisdifferent/ 📲 Tiktok: www.tiktok.com/t/ZT6GjapSC/ Listen + Subscribe: Watch full episodes on YouTube or listen on Spotify & Apple Podcasts.Want more from Kristi? Hear how she’s helping locals become developers in their own communities without the gatekeeping. 🎧 Local Real Estate Developer Podcast Playlist →👉 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🎬 Chapters00:00 Introduction to the Local Real Estate Developer Podcast00:32 Chris Different's Journey into Real Estate03:34 The Leap of Faith: Transitioning from Social Media to Development06:21 Understanding the Challenges of Development11:11 Navigating Conservation Districts and Regulations13:38 Current Construction Progress and General Contracting16:00 Financial Realities of Real Estate Development19:11 Future Plans: Selling vs. Holding Properties21:31 Finding Motivation in Adversity24:00 The Importance of Loving What You Do25:57 Embracing Failure as a Learning Tool29:16 The Value of Mentorship and Partnerships33:07 Advice for New Developers35:23 Community-Driven Development37:17 Future Projects and Aspirations#localrealestatedeveloper #realestateinvesting #womeninrealestate #mindsetmatters #communitydevelopment #realestatejourney #propertyinvestor #infilldevelopment #therealestatedeveloper #partnerships #elevateswfl

What if the people closest to you can’t see the vision you’re building… but you know deep down you’re right?

In this episode, Kristi and Raphael sit down with Jacqueline DiMaggio, a designer-turned-developer who’s quietly building a hospitality ecosystem in rural Wisconsin. What started as two Airbnbs with a pond and a beach turned into land acquisitions, a multi-phase farmhouse project, and a growing design and co-hosting business that locals now recognize by name.

Jacqueline shares the real story behind creating experiences guests actually feel, navigating family skepticism, partnering with her dad after decades of him swearing he’d never partner with anyone again, and learning to follow the deals that give you goosebumps instead of the ones that drain your soul.

This episode is a reminder that local development isn’t just spreadsheets. It’s intuition, it’s walkability, it’s boots on the ground, and it’s knowing when the universe is redirecting you toward something better.

What We Cover:

✅ Following the “goosebumps” instead of forcing a bad deal

✅ Why boots on the ground beats any spreadsheet

✅ How walkability and vibe shape real retail markets

✅ Building a hospitality experience where families can unplug

✅ Partnering with family even when they don’t see the vision

✅ Why real estate can be forgiving when you buy in the right areas

✅ How Jacqueline built a design and co-hosting business from her own Airbnbs

✅ Growing a team so you can work in your zone of genius

✅ Using cash flow from hospitality to fund long-term development

✅ Staying patient and focused while carrying a multi-phase land project

Bold Truth:

You can’t spreadsheet your way into vision. The people who build locally are the ones who trust their gut, walk the land, and create places that outlive the doubts around them.

🎧 Listen now to hear how Jacqueline followed the goosebumps, pushed through the doubters, and proved that the project that changes your life is usually the one you build even when no one else can see the vision.

Connect with Jacqueline:

🌐 Website: https://jpatriciadesign.com/

📲 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jacqueline_dimaggio/

💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacqueline-dimaggio-aab508315/

Listen + Subscribe:

Watch full episodes on YouTube or listen on Spotify & Apple Podcasts.

Want more from Kristi?

Hear how she’s helping locals become developers in their own communities without the gatekeeping.

🎧 Local Real Estate Developer Podcast Playlist →

👉 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

🎬 Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the Local Real Estate Developer Podcast

01:44 Jacqueline's Journey into Real Estate Development

06:58 Vision for the 200-Acre Property

09:54 Community Engagement and Overcoming Challenges

17:42 Building Partnerships in a New Market

22:57 Phased Approach to Development

26:49 Bootstrapping the Project

33:20 Advice for Aspiring Developers

39:45 Future Plans and Collaborations

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