Can You Do Real Estate Development Part-Time?

June 23, 2025 | Kristi Kandel

ASK:

Can I really get into real estate development without going full-time? Is it possible to start on nights and weekends while I keep my day job?

ANSWER:

Yes, you can absolutely start part-time. In fact, most people in the Local Real Estate Developer (LRED) community are doing just that. They’re balancing W2 jobs, family life, and their first development project all at once.

At LRED, we teach you how to start with right-sized projects you can actually manage without quitting your job or burning out. Development is a marathon, not a sprint. You might not break ground tomorrow, but you can absolutely start building the foundation for your first deal this year.

The key? Start small. Stay consistent. And don’t go it alone. Real estate development is a process you can absolutely learn and work on part-time with the right partnerships and the right plan. At LRED, we show you how to build local projects by teaming up with people who can help you move forward, so you don’t have to carry it all yourself.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• You don’t need to quit your job to start in real estate development—part-time is possible.
   

• Starting small helps you build skills, confidence, and meaningful momentum without burning out.
   

• Real estate development is a team sport. The right local partnerships make part-time projects doable.
   

• Community-driven real estate projects often move at a pace that works well for part-time developers.

PEOPLE ALSO ASK:

How much time does real estate development really take?

• It depends on the project size, but at Local Real Estate Developer (LRED), we help part-time developers focus on deals that can move forward in manageable stages. It’s about steady, realistic progress, not overnight success.

Can I manage a project without being on-site every day?

• Yes. At LRED, we teach you how to build strong local partnerships with contractors, architects, and consultants who help you manage day-to-day site activities so you can lead the project without being there every step of the way.

What’s the best type of project for a part-time developer?

• LRED recommends starting with small commercial spaces, adaptive reuse, or community-driven projects that allow for a more flexible timeline and leverage local teams to get the work done.

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