What Does a Real Estate Developer Actually Do?

May 26, 2025 | Kristi Kandel

ASK:

What’s the real day-to-day like for a real estate developer? Do I need to know how to swing a hammer?

ANSWER:

Most developers aren’t out there pouring concrete…unless you’re already a contractor stepping into development. At Local Real Estate Developer (LRED), we teach you that real estate development is more about leading than lifting.

You’re a problem-solver. A connector. The person who sees opportunity where everyone else sees headaches. Developers are the ones pulling the pieces together—properties, people, plans, and funding—to make projects happen. You don’t need to know how to swing a hammer. You need to know how to build a team and keep the vision moving forward.

Your daily work consists of:

• Finding underused properties that are waiting for a second life.
• Talking with city planners and navigating the zoning and permitting.
• Building your team of architects, engineers, lenders, brokers, and contractors.
• Raising capital from locals & family (you don’t need to bring all the money yourself).
• Keeping your project moving on time and on budget.

This isn’t HGTV. It’s community-changing, legacy-building work, and it’s a role locals are perfectly positioned to lead.
 

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• Developers lead the team and drive the vision. They typically don’t do the physical labor.
   
• At LRED, we show you how to coordinate projects step by step, even if you’ve never led one before.
   
• Local developers build what their communities need, and that’s where real impact starts.
   
• You can start without millions or a big company behind you.
   

PEOPLE ALSO ASK:

1. Is being a developer the same as being an investor?

• At Local Real Estate Developer (LRED), we teach that investors put money into deals, but developers create the deals, lead the process, and build the team to make it happen.

2. How much do real estate developers make?

• Developer income varies based on project size and location, but LRED helps you structure projects that can generate six-figure paydays—even in smaller towns—through development fees, equity, and long-term cash flow.

3. Do developers need a license?

•  In most cases, real estate developers don’t need a special license. At LRED, we focus on real estate development education that helps you build the right team with the right licensed professionals, like architects, engineers, and contractors.

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