Hiring a Melbourne based development mentor

Hi Folks,

Have a few development sites in Melbourne that I'm about to kick off.

New to the development scene so looking for an experienced Melbourne based developer I can hire for Q & A sessions.

I'm working with a team of consultants at the moment (designers, town planners etc) - but obviously they all have their own interests at play. Basically looking for an independent third party I can ask all my silly questions.

Things like:

"Where are the holes in my feasibility? What am I missing?"
"What are things you wish you knew in your first development?"
"How to distinguish between good and bad plans?"
"How to work with builders to get the outcome you want"

...etc etc.

This forum has been great, but being able to hire and work with someone for days at a time would be brilliant.

Have a few friends involved in property, but more so on the commercial side of things - so looking for someone who has a focus on residential deals.

Any recommendations?

 

Any developer worth listening to, would not want to waste their time as a hired advisor.

If you're intent on hiring someone, you could look into a property development advisory service?

If I was you, I would try calling, or even dropping into the office of a local developer. Stroke their ego a little bit, play naive, and they might just answer a few of your questions.

 

Remember to check how many developments they've actually completed in that state too - remember the rules are different in each one.

Devils advocate for a second - if they've done (or are doing) a lot, how would they have time to see you? Probably the best (only?) developer in Melbourne on the forums is OC1 and he stopped seeing clients because his own projects were making him plenty of money and using up plenty of his time.

 

Yup, have already started down that path.

Like anything new, there's obviously a component of trial an error... just looking for a way that's a bit more efficient.

Would be happy to hire a property development advisory service if I could find a reputable one.

 

I've been asking myself the same question Dave.

I working in technology startups where the culture might be a bit different (many founders worth a considerable amount of money work as mentors).

In other words, sometimes it's not necessarily just a financial transaction.

I wonder if there's an alternative approach. Maybe a way to pay a developer to 'shadow' them?
That way you're more of a fly on the wall and not really taking up their time directly.

 

Hi Opal

@bedeveloper is sourcing sites in Melbourne, developing 2 of his own projects in Melb understands zonings, drawings/designs etc
He also project manages.

Search his posts and do your own homework
As with any recommendations make sure you get references from people who have used their services, I know this one from experience.

bedeveloper resides in Sydney and also operates a BA business specifically for developers, commutes regularly to Melb, as he has quite a number of client projects he manages.

I am a developer, also have developments in Melb, but I a reside in Perth, more than happy to bounce ideas, but obviously I can not help you as I am not on the ground.

I have used oc1 services, more than happy to give you feedback on my experience via pm

cheers
MTR

 

I think this wont be cost effective that is the problem? There are better ways, but the best way would you believe is just getting your hands dirty and networking with the right people who have a track record of getting it right.

I have been chatting to people who have spent thousands of $ on courses and they are not getting it right because the courses wont do it for you. There are too many variables that need to be considered, one obvious is what does the market want? these gurus don't know every market that is the problem... anyway that is enough of my rant for the day

All the best with your projects

 

Try this guy:

Bradley Property Group | Residential & Commercial Property Development

There would be plenty of people that would know of him. Try to appoint someone who has developed through a cycle or two (not me, I've closed up shop as @D.T. has mentioned above).

 

Thanks Oscar - you rock!

That was exactly what I was looking for.
Giving Dave a buzz later this afternoon.

Much appreciated.

 

I hear you MTR

That's part of the reason why I made the post in the first place - to find the people who are actually getting their hands dirty (i.e. not a course spruiker who hasn't built anything in your city for the past ten years).

Had a chat with an experienced developer yesterday and it was super helpful.

Getting answers to your questions is great - but being able to chat to someone who raises questions you never even thought of is gold.

 

sure happy to help

Cheers
MTR

 

Any recommendations for a Sydney or Queensland development mentor ?

 

Do a search on various people of this forum who are involved in this strategy and their services if they are business members.

Beware of recommendations on any forums unless you have had contact/referrals/spoken with investors who have actually used the specific services.

MTR

 

Wow, thanks for this link! I think I'll be giving this guy a buzz, too. Has anyone (eg @opal3259 ) on the forum dealt with him, who would be willing to post/PM their experience?

(Also, approximately how much should I be looking to pay someone like him?)