Argus Bits

How Do Option Contracts Work? In a previous post, we talked about option contracts as they relate to longer escrow...

Why Are Escrow Periods So Long? In most real estate transactions, escrow opens when the purchase agreement is fully executed...

What Makes Up Finance Costs? In a previous post, we talked about indirect and soft costs related to construction.  One...

What Are Indirects? Keep in mind that terminology can vary from region to region, but one of the more common...

Sizing Water and Sewer Laterals? Within new developments, the water and sewer lines are placed in trenches underneath the new...

Why Do Impact Fees Vary So Much? In a previous post, we talked about the various type of city fees...

What Is Preliminary Underwriting? We like to think of “underwriting” as the analysis and vetting of a prospective project –...

Does City Or County Approve Your Project? One of the first steps in an entitlement project is to make the...

What Are Construction Drawings? In a previous post, we talked about the entitlement process and the approvals by the political...

Why Does It Take So Long? Entitlements are essentially the government approvals for proposed projects, with these approvals being voted...

What Are Affordable Housing Requirements? In more affluent and expensive housing markets, it is often common that a local jurisdiction...

Land Planner vs Civil Engineer? In the creation of grading and site improvement plans, the effort usually requires the services...

The Role of Structural Engineers? In last week's post, we talked about the various design phases of architecture.  The final...

Phases of Architectural Design? In looking at a scope of work for an architect, you might see the scope refer...

The Role of Land Brokers? It seems that the role of a land broker can vary from market to market,...

How Do Deposits Work? When making an offer for land, the Letter of Intent contains the price being offered and...

Grant Deed vs Deed of Trust? With respect to title reports and title insurance, you can tend to hear a...

Raw Land? Paper Lots? Blue Top Lots? Finished Lots? During the process of land acquisition, the condition of the lots...

Purpose of Cash Flows? Having started my career as a financial analyst, I ran a lot of pro forma models...

Key Consultants for Entitlements? As a land developer, the commencement of an entitlement process will mean you need to hire...