Learn. Okay, article finished, what's next on my to do list?
Seriously, well done for putting in the work to get yourself into such a good position financially. And also well done for thinking bigger rather than sitting back.
Because of that, I'm going to give you a bit more to work with, rather than just the word "learn"!
First up, it's not necessary to own your home outright in order to become a property developer. In fact, it's not even necessary to own a home at all, even with a mortgage.
If you search my content for information about low and no money down strategies you'll find lots of information, so I won't add more here. You will also inevitably come across me saying "don't let your lack of resources stop you from being resourceful".
Moving on... Let me also be clear that the suggestions I'm about to make apply to ANYONE who's thinking of becoming a property developer. Owning your home outright might make things a little simpler financially, but all budding developers need to follow the same path from a learning perspective.
The reality is, success in development depends less on how much money you have, and more on how much you’re willing to learn, network, and commit your time. It’s not as simple as just buying a block and building. It’s part business, part strategy, part patience, and a lot of learning along the way.
What Does Being A Property Developer Involve?
Quite a few people I talk to have a very "unicorns and rainbows" view of property development. They'll wave a magic wand and lots of shiny new dwellings will appear, solving the housing crisis and making them a hero.
Fine, I'm exaggerating. But I think a vital first step in becoming a property developer is working out if you really want to be one. It's going to take hard work, grit and a whole lot more to be successful, and may involve you doing a bunch of stuff you're not keen on doing.
The very first thing I'd suggest you do is work through my free course 7 Step FORMULA. Yes, it's FREE. So there's no excuse! Watch it, and if you still want to be a property developer when you grow up, then let's continue on.
Educate Yourself
Most people think the hardest part of development is the finance or the construction. In reality, the hardest part is understanding the process.
Developers don’t make money by accident, they make it because they’ve learned how to assess sites, run feasibility studies, manage approvals, and avoid common traps. The biggest mistake first-timers make is jumping into a deal before they’ve truly grasped what’s involved.
So start by investing time in learning:
As a property development educator, I've produced a stack of content on the property development process, so of course I'm going to say check it out to help you learn!
If you're interested in progressing on to a full development course, then I urge you to check out my Property Development Formula course.
Books, social media, webinars and short courses are a great start, but the best learning often comes from real conversations with people doing the work every day. Which brings us to the next piece.
Networking
Property development is not a solo sport. It’s a team business built on relationships, and your network will be one of your most valuable assets.
On the one hand there's your professional team:
These people aren’t just service providers, they’re your project’s lifeline. The best developers aren’t necessarily the smartest people in the room; they’re the ones who surround themselves with the right experts.
And while your professional team is crucial, even before that, start building a network of peers. Attend local property meetups, development workshops, or investor networking events. Listen more than you talk. Learn from people who are a few steps ahead of you, not just the ones selling "quick wins."
You’ll quickly notice that experienced developers think differently. They talk in numbers, timelines, and exit strategies, not just in design ideas. That mindset shift only comes from immersing yourself in the network.
My PDN Meetups are a great place to start this journey, and you'll get the best results if you attend in person at every opportunity.
Time
Development takes time - more than most people expect. It’s not a quick side hustle you can set and forget. Between planning approvals, finance, builder quotes, and council processes, even a small two-townhouse project can take 18-24 months from concept to completion.
But even before you start on the development process, you need to allow time to learn.
I've been running my Property Development Formula course for enough years now to know people aren't ready to be developers the second they walk out of bootcamp. It's one of the reasons the program runs for 12 months with access to mentors (skills & strategy) and coaches (mindset) throughout.
I always suggest students allow around 15 hours a week to really immerse themselves in the education side of becoming a property developer.
With that level of time commitment, I find most students are both competent and confident after 6 months. The average timeframe for getting into a deal is between 9 and 15 months.
So if you're after a get rich quick scheme, that's not what I teach. But if you want to acquire a solid grounding in the skills and mindset you will need as a property developer, then you need to give yourself the time to learn what you need to learn.
Keep Learning!
Each project gets easier as your knowledge, network, and systems grow. You’ll start to see patterns - what sells, what councils approve quickly, which builders deliver, and which suburbs perform.
You’ll also gain credibility with lenders, investors, and consultants, which opens doors to larger projects or partnerships later on.
The most successful small-scale developers are the ones who stay curious. They keep learning about planning changes, market shifts, and emerging design trends. They treat every project as another step in a long-term strategy.
They also stay involved with other developers, swapping stories and learning from the good, bad and ugly experiences of others so they can improve their own results.
To sum it all up - be teachable, commit time and surround yourself with good people. Development isn’t about taking massive risks — it’s about learning how to create value in a controlled, repeatable way. I look forward to seeing you share your Real Deal at a PDN Meetup down the track!
Seriously, well done for putting in the work to get yourself into such a good position financially. And also well done for thinking bigger rather than sitting back.
Because of that, I'm going to give you a bit more to work with, rather than just the word "learn"!
First up, it's not necessary to own your home outright in order to become a property developer. In fact, it's not even necessary to own a home at all, even with a mortgage.
If you search my content for information about low and no money down strategies you'll find lots of information, so I won't add more here. You will also inevitably come across me saying "don't let your lack of resources stop you from being resourceful".
Moving on... Let me also be clear that the suggestions I'm about to make apply to ANYONE who's thinking of becoming a property developer. Owning your home outright might make things a little simpler financially, but all budding developers need to follow the same path from a learning perspective.
The reality is, success in development depends less on how much money you have, and more on how much you’re willing to learn, network, and commit your time. It’s not as simple as just buying a block and building. It’s part business, part strategy, part patience, and a lot of learning along the way.
What Does Being A Property Developer Involve?
Quite a few people I talk to have a very "unicorns and rainbows" view of property development. They'll wave a magic wand and lots of shiny new dwellings will appear, solving the housing crisis and making them a hero.Fine, I'm exaggerating. But I think a vital first step in becoming a property developer is working out if you really want to be one. It's going to take hard work, grit and a whole lot more to be successful, and may involve you doing a bunch of stuff you're not keen on doing.
The very first thing I'd suggest you do is work through my free course 7 Step FORMULA. Yes, it's FREE. So there's no excuse! Watch it, and if you still want to be a property developer when you grow up, then let's continue on.
Educate Yourself
Most people think the hardest part of development is the finance or the construction. In reality, the hardest part is understanding the process.
Developers don’t make money by accident, they make it because they’ve learned how to assess sites, run feasibility studies, manage approvals, and avoid common traps. The biggest mistake first-timers make is jumping into a deal before they’ve truly grasped what’s involved.
So start by investing time in learning:
- How to calculate costs, expected sale prices, holding expenses, and profit margins
- What your local council will and won’t allow on your land
- The way lenders assess risk and how progress payments work
- The difference between a planning permit and a building permit and what each one requires
As a property development educator, I've produced a stack of content on the property development process, so of course I'm going to say check it out to help you learn!
If you're interested in progressing on to a full development course, then I urge you to check out my Property Development Formula course.
Books, social media, webinars and short courses are a great start, but the best learning often comes from real conversations with people doing the work every day. Which brings us to the next piece.
Networking
Property development is not a solo sport. It’s a team business built on relationships, and your network will be one of your most valuable assets.On the one hand there's your professional team:
- town planner
- architect or designer
- surveyor
- builder
- finance broker
- etc
These people aren’t just service providers, they’re your project’s lifeline. The best developers aren’t necessarily the smartest people in the room; they’re the ones who surround themselves with the right experts.
And while your professional team is crucial, even before that, start building a network of peers. Attend local property meetups, development workshops, or investor networking events. Listen more than you talk. Learn from people who are a few steps ahead of you, not just the ones selling "quick wins."
You’ll quickly notice that experienced developers think differently. They talk in numbers, timelines, and exit strategies, not just in design ideas. That mindset shift only comes from immersing yourself in the network.
My PDN Meetups are a great place to start this journey, and you'll get the best results if you attend in person at every opportunity.
Time
Development takes time - more than most people expect. It’s not a quick side hustle you can set and forget. Between planning approvals, finance, builder quotes, and council processes, even a small two-townhouse project can take 18-24 months from concept to completion.
But even before you start on the development process, you need to allow time to learn.
I've been running my Property Development Formula course for enough years now to know people aren't ready to be developers the second they walk out of bootcamp. It's one of the reasons the program runs for 12 months with access to mentors (skills & strategy) and coaches (mindset) throughout.
I always suggest students allow around 15 hours a week to really immerse themselves in the education side of becoming a property developer.
With that level of time commitment, I find most students are both competent and confident after 6 months. The average timeframe for getting into a deal is between 9 and 15 months.
So if you're after a get rich quick scheme, that's not what I teach. But if you want to acquire a solid grounding in the skills and mindset you will need as a property developer, then you need to give yourself the time to learn what you need to learn.
Keep Learning!
Each project gets easier as your knowledge, network, and systems grow. You’ll start to see patterns - what sells, what councils approve quickly, which builders deliver, and which suburbs perform.
You’ll also gain credibility with lenders, investors, and consultants, which opens doors to larger projects or partnerships later on.
The most successful small-scale developers are the ones who stay curious. They keep learning about planning changes, market shifts, and emerging design trends. They treat every project as another step in a long-term strategy.
They also stay involved with other developers, swapping stories and learning from the good, bad and ugly experiences of others so they can improve their own results.
To sum it all up - be teachable, commit time and surround yourself with good people. Development isn’t about taking massive risks — it’s about learning how to create value in a controlled, repeatable way. I look forward to seeing you share your Real Deal at a PDN Meetup down the track!
