Definition of "Real estate developer"

Tia Ware real estate agent

Written by

Tia Wareelite badge icon

Southern Homes of the Carolinas

A developer is a person that designs or creates something that could be a concept, structure, product or service. An idea can be turned into something real, tangible and the person that does that is called a developer. The process followed by a person in order to create something can be called “development process” and the person is the developer.

As an example, a developer can be an individual that builds software. You might also find them under specific names such as programmers or software developers more. Web developers deal with web design and web development tasks. Content developers are usually individuals that create content fit to be published in a magazine or uploaded on a website.

Developers in real estate

Real estate development is the act of buying land, creating new buildings and selling the property for a profit. The person that coordinates the process is called a real estate developer. A real estate developer coordinates the whole process from the beginning to the end. From the initial project faze up until a building is created, the whole development process is imagined, initiated, orchestrated, and controlled by the real estate developer.

There is a whole process associated with creating a new building: deciding where to put it, borrowing money for the project, buying land, receiving permission for the building, design, build, finding buyers or tenants to occupy it and manage it. While there are many different counterparts that specialize in each individual step the real estate developers coordinate the whole process. Architects, city planners, inspectors, engineers, contractors, lawyers, surveyors, leasing agents are all coordinated by a real estate developer.

Developers in real estate are also risk-takers that invest a considerable amount of money in an attempt to gain a profit if the building is a success. In order for it to succeed, the real estate developer would have to rent out the building/facility or sell for a profit. This ultimately makes the real estate developer the person in charge, a risk manager, a person engaged in a business that can lead to high returns, but it can also cause severe losses.

image of a real estate dictionary page

Have a question or comment?

We're here to help.

*** Your email address will remain confidential.
 

 

Popular Real Estate Terms

An organized group of ethical behavior guidelines governing the day-to-day activities of a profession or organization. ...

Individual or business transferring a right or benefit to another person or business. ...

Founded in 1942 and located in Washington DC, the NAHB has 155,000 members with 824 local groups. Its membership consists of single, multifamily and commercial home builders. The NAHB ...

Frame surrounding a door or window to block adverse weather. It may be made of wood, metal, or other material. The frame may be fixed or moveable. ...

A public area, or plaza with a series of walkways permitting pedestrians easy access to shops, stores and restaurants. Modern malls are often enclosed enabling all weather access. Malls are ...

An acronym stating the real estate is the I.D.E.A.L. investment. Each if the five letters in IDEAL stands for an advantage to real estate as an investment. "I" stands for interest ...

Under a FHA-insured mortgage, both the property and the borrower must meet certain minimum standards. The borrower is charged an insurance fee of one-half percent on the unpaid balance and ...

Drain facility usually underground for waste and water disposal consisting on connected pipes. ...

Person or entity that has title or a right to something which is typically being held. Examples are real property, corporation, and personal property. Ownership of property may be held by ...

Popular Real Estate Questions