05/15/2026
Those of you that know me know I'm a builder. Do I know any builders (like my AI caricature?) who build in or near Hernando Beach, FL? We own two waterfront lots there. That also means they are in a flood plain. I say that because I has someone looking at them who called me back asking for a discount on the price because they were in a flood plain. I started the converstion with - they are WATERFRONT. I suppose there are some mountanous states where you can be waterfront and above the flood plain, but Florida, the flatest state in the union, waterfront means it is flood plain land.
We have built the required seawall and are too busy to break ground on new projects there. We have multiple projects in 4 other municipalities and can't afford the time on the road between them right now. We might build there in a year or two, but I would like to sell those lots, or I would partner with the right builder and let them pay me for the lots when the house is done and sold.
I have a private loan on the lots so I'd need a little more for them to accept payment in a year or so, but it would keep you from having to borrow on them now and you could show the lots as unencumbered when borroing for the construction costs. It might let you do a couple builds with borrowed money without much out of pocket.
Also, we have done the survey and soil tests and we have plans that are done - but not submitted for permit. If you like ouir plans, you can use them and work with our architect to modify them if you like. With survey, soil tests and plans done, you save time and you have no holding costs until you borrow the construction money after the plans are approved.
Still with all the said about how you can start without much money out of pocket (you'd pay the architect for any changes and pay the permit fees), I would also sell them outright for cash now instead of for a higher price a year or two from now when you are done building and selling.
I am very familiar with our industry and niche. I use wholesalers and I am a wholesaler some times. I am OK with paying a fee to someone who delivers the buyer, but I am not signing a contract that is assignable and then you go look for a buyer. If you are in the industry and you know someone like me who could be the buyer, talk to them first and then connect me with them and I would sell to them and pay you a finders fee. You would earn your fee when I get paid, so if it is a deal where I get paid more when the house is built and sold in a year or so, that is when you would also get your fee. I am only going to sign a deal that is "pay me later" with the builder, not with a middleman. I am sometimes a middleman I value the connection and will pay for it, but I am not tieing up the property for someone who thinks that they can resell it.
