Spec Home Builder

[Chris91]

Hi everyone,

I have been a spec home builder (that is I develop new homes with the intention of selling them once finished) for a few years and have been thinking of writing a book (at least in PDF format, probably not hardcopy) regarding the construction side (costs, mistakes, steps) of the business and the speculative part of the business (profits, margin scheme tax, builder's terms). I had this idea because I have seen a lot of owner builders and investors lose money and I am sure I could save investors and owner builders at least 5% on total costs (house+land) and 5% is a lot on a speculative developments and can make the difference between profit and loss.

So I just wanted to have as many opinions as possible, as I have never been able to find such books since I've started (all those property development book are absolutely useless in real life), so please do not hesitate to give your opinion !

Thanks,

Chris

 

[Aaron_C]

That would be very useful and something I would definitely buy

 

[spludgey]

Sounds interesting.
But I've got a question regarding your username? I mean no offence by it, but does it mean that you're only 20 years old? I'm not saying that I couldn't learn a thing or two from a 20 year old, but a person that age just wouldn't have the wealth of experience as someone that's been doing a job like that for 30 years.

 

[Aaron_C]

Lol just because his name is 91 doesnt mean he was born in 1991....

 

[spludgey]

Lol just because his name is 91 doesnt mean he was born in 1991....

No, not necessarily, but you see it a lot of times, so I thought I'd ask.

Sort of like me thinking that your surname probably starts with a C.

 

[james_w]

Hi everyone,

I have been a spec home builder (that is I develop new homes with the intention of selling them once finished) for a few years and have been thinking of writing a book (at least in PDF format, probably not hardcopy) regarding the construction side (costs, mistakes, steps) of the business and the speculative part of the business (profits, margin scheme tax, builder's terms). I had this idea because I have seen a lot of owner builders and investors lose money and I am sure I could save investors and owner builders at least 5% on total costs (house+land) and 5% is a lot on a speculative developments and can make the difference between profit and loss.

So I just wanted to have as many opinions as possible, as I have never been able to find such books since I've started (all those property development book are absolutely useless in real life), so please do not hesitate to give your opinion !

Thanks,

Chris

Would buy a copy have done a few speccys would be helpful for many investors I would think.

 

[mattnz]

Yep, count me in as a reader, just doing my first spec development now.

There is also a gap for a mentoring programme. Most charge around $5k for the priviledge, but none currently specialise in doing your own developments.

 

[Chris91]

Thanks for your replies !

I wasn't born in 91, i was actually born in 87
Believe me some builders have 30 years experience but it doesn't mean anything, it is like driving a car, some people have been driving 30 years and don't know how to drive.

Anyway, I started writing, I reckon it's going to take a few months as there is a lot more to say than I thought, and I can't write full time.

Any suggestions are welcome.

 

[porp_e]

Hi Chris91

I'll put my vote in also - would be very interested to read your book.

As for suggestions a good one might be to include info on building on a sloped block as opposed to flat land - ie additional costs involved, other considerations etc. ?

 

[brentongill]

Hi everyone,

I have been a spec home builder (that is I develop new homes with the intention of selling them once finished) for a few years and have been thinking of writing a book (at least in PDF format, probably not hardcopy) regarding the construction side (costs, mistakes, steps) of the business and the speculative part of the business (profits, margin scheme tax, builder's terms). I had this idea because I have seen a lot of owner builders and investors lose money and I am sure I could save investors and owner builders at least 5% on total costs (house+land) and 5% is a lot on a speculative developments and can make the difference between profit and loss.

So I just wanted to have as many opinions as possible, as I have never been able to find such books since I've started (all those property development book are absolutely useless in real life), so please do not hesitate to give your opinion !

Thanks,

Chris

I havent seen anything in book form there are some very expensive courses out there for developers/builders. This is probably a little left field of what you were originally thinking but what is your end game/position?

If its just to get a book out you could draft it out and then submit it to a cheap outsource editor to format the book. All good now you have professional info in a professional format. At that stage you could submit it to amazon or ebay and maybe do a little advertising. All done. No need for web sites of other wiz bang technology.

That is a quick approach and you make the price of an e-book as apposed tothe $ people are making with the expensive courses.

At the other end of the scale it might look like:

1. Produce a Quiz and/or Ask people on forums what they would like to see in such a book.
You know a load of stuff but I bet as a non builder I would ask a load of questions you probably feel are obvious but would be news to me.
2. Produce a brain dump of the informaton
3. Structure the info into beginners, intermediate and expienced level info
4. At that stage you might have 3 books in you which would be more interesting to a real publisher.
5. Get the freelance editor to pretty up the books and
6. Take each book and make a video, strip out the sound and you have a seperate podcast. At that stage you have a course, a book and a podcast.
7. Do a little marketing of the product
8. If it goes into bookshops ok if not amazon and ebay.
9. Setup your own mentoring/help site, monthly fees, on the web for aspiring builders for discussions or troubleshooting services.
10. Deliver the course on stage as requested.

Just some thoughts on a lazy sunday arvo.

Regards
Brenton

 

[Chris91]

Hi Brenton,

Thanks a lot for the advice !

I was originally thinking just writing 2 books and no seminars or mentoring as I don't have time.
I was thinking 1 book for the speculative part, as you can be the best builder but still lose money on a spec or you could be doing a lot more money, for example with good builder's terms.
The 2nd book would be about construction, because you can have a great piece of land, but if you spend too much money or too much time or have poor quality, you'll end up with lower profits and/or longer selling times.

Good point too on "questions you probably feel are obvious but would be news to me" . it's very true but I'm a bit scared of putting too much info and making it too complicated, I guess I have to find a middle point.

Cheers,

Chris

 

[Neilster]

Sounds like a usefull book. I have also been involved in new home construction for speculation. A good guide to the process could be helpfull for anyone that wants to do it.

 

[Telejazzer]

Count me in. Would definitely buy it specially on PDF format as I read a lot of eBooks on the iPad.