Argus Bits

Promissory Note vs Deed of Trust vs Mortgage? When you hear about real estate loans, you can tend to hear...

What Are Plotted Easements? One purpose of a preliminary title report and an eventual title policy is to document the...

Why A Specific Plan? In a previous post, we mentioned that a project approval may be for a “specific plan”,...

What Gets Approved? In the entitlement process, a developer is essentially asking the local jurisdiction to approve a project. For...

How Much Are Demo Costs? When estimating the costs to improve a site – grading, utilities, streets – it is...

Timing To Negotiate PSA? A common process in a land transaction is for the seller and buyer to first agree...

What Is Condominium Ownership? Most people tend to think of “condominiums” as a type of attached housing, usually in the...

Who Schedules The Contractors? In the construction of a house, typically there can be 40 – 45 contractors or vendors...

What Is Overhead In A Pro Forma? In a typical homebuilder pro forma, the actual costs of a project are...

Planning Commission vs City Council? As we have talked about in previous posts, the entitlements or discretionary project approvals are...

What Is RHNA? In a previous post, we talked about affordable housing programs, income levels, and how affordable home pricing...

Why Secondary And Emergency Vehicle Access? At the beginning of the site planning process, a competent land planner will be...

What Are House Area Costs? In a previous post, we discussed the site improvement costs that would include grading, underground...

How Do Entitlements Add Value? You may have heard that the entitlements, or government approvals, for a project adds value...

Sources of Land Opportunities? As a land acquisition manager, one of the primary roles is to source and find new...

What If Site Is Low? In managing a grading design, there will be cases where the site is too low...

Directs Per Square Foot? Whether putting together a pro forma for a proposed project or evaluating actual costs, it is...

Negotiating Due Diligence Periods? A key element within an offer is the length of time a buyer is requesting to...

Utility Laterals In Existing Streets? In a typical suburban housing tract, a new water or sewer main will be installed...

Who Is The Applicant? When submitting a project to the local jurisdiction for entitlements, an application form will typically need...