๐ŸŽ™๏ธ Local Real Estate Developers

Kristi Kandel
  • 5.0 (14)
  • Investing
  • Updated Weekly

๐ŸŽ™๏ธ Local Real Estate Developers Podcast with Kristi Kandel & Raphael Collazo This podcast was created to break down the barriers of entry into development and make it as familiar as flipping a house or house-hacking a duplex. We feature: - Weekly interviews with local developers sharing their projects - Think Like a Developer Minisodes: live in-progress deals - Insights from strategic partners like brokers, architects, engineers, and lenders - Exclusive Developer Vault Most US Cities have fewer than 10,000 residents. We donโ€™t need more outside investors, we need more locals taking action.

  1. 5d ago

    You Donโ€™t Need to Leave Your Hometown to Build Something Big | EP#73

    What if the biggest opportunity in real estate is right in your own backyard? Andy Warnock spent nearly two decades in commercial real estate finance and built a portfolio of nearly 2,600 apartment units. Along the way, he learned through failed deals, the 2008 crash, partnerships, insurance mistakes, and plenty of hard-earned lessons. Today, Andy is focused on transforming small-town communities through mixed-use development, restaurants, golf lounges, basketball facilities, retail, and gathering spaces. In this episode, he shares why relationships matter, how to structure partnerships, why patience is essential, and how his E + R = O mindsetโ€”Event + Response = Outcomeโ€”helps him navigate challenges. The truth: You donโ€™t need millions to start. Learn the business, build relationships, solve problems, and play the long game. ๐Ÿ”— Full Episode: https://youtu.be/mgC8sO-CN3U ๐Ÿ“ฅ Developer Vault: http://www.localrealestatedeveloper.com/developer-vault-optin Guest Andy Warnock Website: https://westwoodcollective.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andy-warnock-4398883/ About the Show The Local Real Estate Developer Podcast is for locals who want to build in their own communities. Real projects. Real lessons. No gatekeeping. #localrealestatedeveloper #communitydevelopment #realestatedevelopment #localdeveloper #realestateinvesting #smalltowndevelopment #mixedusedevelopment #redevelopment #buildlocal #developlocal #commercialrealestate #ohiorealestate #communityfirst

  2. Sep 22

    How a First-Time Developer Built a $7.5M Project Without a Big Team | EP#72

    What happens when you don't have deep pockets or a massive team but refuse to walk away from the opportunity? Will Hanrahan found a one-acre industrial property on Facebook Marketplace and bought it for $435,000. He didn't have the full vision figured out. He just knew the location had potential. Through zoning research, adaptive reuse, Brownfield programs, local funding, and strong relationships, that overlooked property became The Rail Yard, a $7.5M mixed-use development with 32 residential units and commercial space. Will shares the real lessons behind raising capital, working with local government, finding the right investors, navigating environmental challenges, and staying scrappy when the deal gets complicated. You don't need the biggest team to build something meaningful. You need the courage to start, the relationships to keep moving, and the persistence to finish. This episode is for anyone who wants to become a local developer and build projects that improve their community. ๐Ÿ”— Full Episode: How a First-Time Developer Built a $7.5M Project Without a Big Team | EP#72 ๐Ÿ“ฅ Developer Vault: http://www.localrealestatedeveloper.com/developer-vault-optin Guest Will Hanrahan Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/railyardlex/ About the Show The Local Real Estate Developer Podcast is for locals who want to build in their own communities. Real projects. Real lessons. No gatekeeping. #localrealestatedeveloper #realestatedevelopment #communitydevelopment #localdeveloper #realestateinvesting #housingdevelopment #propertydevelopment #adaptivereuse #kentuckyrealestate #buildlocal #localdevelopment #realestateinvestor #realestateentrepreneur

  3. Sep 15

    What Happens When Local Developers Get in the Same Room? | EP#71

    What happens when developers from across the country come together to share what theyโ€™re actually building? In Episode #70, Raphael Collazo and Kristi Kandel recap the first LRED developer meetup in Louisville, bringing together local developers, investors, city leaders, and industry professionals. They talk about the real lessons from touring active projects, learning from experienced developers, navigating city challenges, and building relationships that can lead to new ideas and opportunities. Because development isnโ€™t just about knowing the numbers. Itโ€™s about knowing the people, the market, and your community. ๐Ÿ”— Full Episode: What Happens When Local Developers Get in the Same Room? | EP#70 ๐Ÿ“ฅ Developer Vault: http://www.localrealestatedeveloper.com/developer-vault-optin ๐Ÿข LRED Meetup 2026: https://www.localrealestatedeveloper.com/lred-meetup-2026 Connect with Raphael: ๐ŸŒ Website: http://www.raphaelcollazo.com/ ๐Ÿ“ฒ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/commercial_louisville/ ๐Ÿ’ผ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/raphaelcollazo/ Connect with Kristi: ๐ŸŒ Website: https://kristikandel.com/ ๐Ÿ“ฒ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kristikandel/ ๐Ÿ’ผ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristi-kandel-4b650a12/ About the Show The Local Real Estate Developer Podcast is for locals who want to build in their own communities. Real projects. Real lessons. No gatekeeping. #localrealestatedeveloper #communitydevelopment #realestatedevelopment #localdevelopment #buildlocal #developlocal #realestatecommunity #louisville #tampa

  4. Sep 8

    Inside a First-Time Developer's 37-Acre Vision | EP#70

    What if you didnโ€™t need years of experience, a massive network, or millions in the bank to become a developer? YJ Tung shares how he went from working in tech and marketing to taking on his first 37-acre development project near Californiaโ€™s Western States Trail. With his partner, YJ is developing Forestill Basecamp, a hospitality project featuring 10 modular cabins, saunas, cold plunges, and recovery amenities designed for trail runners and endurance athletes. Along the way, theyโ€™ve had to navigate permitting, due diligence, financing, marketing, and community partnerships. They even tested the concept with just $20 a day in Instagram ads and collected deposits from future guests before the project was built. This episode is a real look at what it takes to go from โ€œI donโ€™t know howโ€ to โ€œIโ€™m doing it.โ€ ๐Ÿ”— Full Episode: Inside a First-Time Developer's 37-Acre Vision | EP#70 ๐Ÿ“ฅ Developer Vault: http://www.localrealestatedeveloper.com/developer-vault-optin Guest YJ Tung Website: https://foresthillbasecamp.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61582172090154 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/foresthillbasecamp Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/youngjohntung/ About the Show The Local Real Estate Developer Podcast is for locals who want to build in their own communities. Real projects. Real lessons. No gatekeeping. #localrealestatedeveloper #communitydevelopment #realestatedevelopment #localdevelopment #realestateinvesting #realestateentrepreneur #propertydevelopment #buildlocal #communityfirst #localdeveloper #realestatepodcast #firsttimedeveloper

  5. Sep 1

    How a First-Time Developer Turned Setbacks Into Experience | EP#69

    What happens when your first development project doesn't go as planned? After years in brokerage, Alan Sestito took the leap into development. His first project had potential but city delays, a reduced site plan, and unexpected setbacks quickly turned it into a real-world education. Instead of walking away, Alan adapted, leaned on his partner, and kept moving. In this episode, Alan shares the lessons behind his first project, the importance of strong partnerships, understanding your market, and why resilience matters when development gets messy. For anyone considering their first development project, Alan's story proves that experience doesn't always come before the deal. Sometimes, the deal is what gives you the experience. ๐Ÿ”— Full Episode: ๐Ÿ“ฅ Developer Vault: http://www.localrealestatedeveloper.com/developer-vault-optin Guest Alan Sestito Website: http://www.sesresidential.com/ About the Show The Local Real Estate Developer Podcast is for locals who want to build in their own communities. Real projects. Real lessons. No gatekeeping. #localrealestatedeveloper #realestatedevelopment #localdevelopment #communitydevelopment #realestateinvesting #localdeveloper #smalldeveloper #infilldevelopment #developerjourney #buildlocal

  6. Aug 24

    From Small-Town Roots to Community Developer | EP#68

    What if you didnโ€™t need millions of dollars or generational wealth to become a developer? In this episode, Kristi Kandel sits down with Kimberly Honea to talk about her journey from a small-town Oklahoma upbringing to hospitality, adaptive reuse, and launching her own development company. Kimberly shares the hard lessons behind taking the leap, learning construction and finance, finding the right partners and mentors, knowing when to walk away from a bad deal, and using incentives to make projects work. Most importantly, she explains why great development isn't just about buildings. It's about creating places that bring people together, support local businesses, and give communities a reason to thrive. ๐Ÿ”— Full Episode: ๐Ÿ“ฅ Developer Vault: http://www.localrealestatedeveloper.com/developer-vault-optin Guest Kimberly Honea Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimberlyhonea/ About the Show The Local Real Estate Developer Podcast is for locals who want to build in their own communities. Real projects. Real lessons. No gatekeeping. #localrealestatedeveloper #realestatedevelopment #communitydevelopment #adaptivereuse #localdevelopment #realestateinvesting #hospitalitydevelopment #economicdevelopment #buildlocal #communitybuilding #realestatepodcast #developerjourney

  7. Aug 18

    How Local Developers Build One Step at a Time | EP#67

    What if becoming a developer isnโ€™t about having all the answers but having the courage to take the next step? In Episode #67, Raphael Collazo and Kristi Kandel get real about how they went from first-time investors and nervous beginners to building commercial projects and community-focused developments. They share the fear behind their first deals, lessons from finding lenders and partners, the power of starting small, and why local developers have a major advantage: they know their communities. But development doesnโ€™t have to be a solo game. Thatโ€™s why Raphael and Kristi created LRED to bring local developers, investors, lenders, and industry professionals into the same room to share ideas, solve problems, build relationships, and create opportunities together. You donโ€™t need millions to start. You need the right people, the right knowledge, and the courage to take the next step. Join the LRED community and get in the room with people who are actually building. ๐Ÿ”— Full Episode: https://youtu.be/uP7TtgI_isY ๐Ÿ“ฅ Developer Vault: http://www.localrealestatedeveloper.com/developer-vault-optin Connect with Kristi: ๐ŸŒ Website: https://kristikandel.com/ ๐Ÿ“ฒ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kristikandel/ ๐Ÿ’ผ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristi-kandel-4b650a12/ Connect with Raphael: ๐ŸŒ Website: http://www.raphaelcollazo.com/ ๐Ÿ“ฒ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/commercial_louisville/ ๐Ÿ’ผ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/raphaelcollazo/ About the Show The Local Real Estate Developer Podcast is for locals who want to build in their own communities. Real projects. Real lessons. No gatekeeping #localrealestatedeveloper #lred #lredmeetup #realestatedevelopment #communitydevelopment #localdevelopment #realestateinvesting #commercialrealestate #realestatedeveloper #buildlocal #investlocal #realestatepodcast #realestatecommunity #developmentcommunity #realestateeducation

  8. Aug 11

    How One Small Idea Can Transform an Entire Town | EP#66

    What if your community doesn't need another billion-dollar project... it just needs someone willing to care? For years, cities have chased mega-projects, outside investors, and expensive revitalization plans believing bigger budgets lead to better communities. But what if the biggest transformation starts with something much smaller? In this episode, urban planner and Ash & Lime founder Rik Adamski shares why thriving towns aren't built by waiting for someone else to invest, they're built by local people who choose to act. Drawing from decades of experience in planning, downtown revitalization, and community building, Rik reveals how vacant storefronts, walkable neighborhoods, third places, and incremental development can breathe new life into struggling communities. Inspired by movements like Strong Towns, Better Block, and tactical urbanism, he makes a compelling case that meaningful change doesn't require billions of dollars, it requires people who care enough to start. If you've ever looked around your hometown and thought, "Someone should do something," this episode is a reminder that someone could be you. ๐Ÿ”— Full Episode: ๐Ÿ“ฅ Developer Vault: http://www.localrealestatedeveloper.com/developer-vault-optin Guest Rik Adamski Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rikadamski/ About the Show The Local Real Estate Developer Podcast is for locals who want to build in their own communities. Real projects. Real lessons. No gatekeeping. #localrealestatedeveloper #communitydevelopment #incrementaldevelopment #strongtowns #placemaking #urbanplanning #buildlocal #thirdplaces #downtowndevelopment #realestatedevelopment

See All (87)

5
out of 5
14 Ratings

About

๐ŸŽ™๏ธ Local Real Estate Developers Podcast with Kristi Kandel & Raphael Collazo This podcast was created to break down the barriers of entry into development and make it as familiar as flipping a house or house-hacking a duplex. We feature: - Weekly interviews with local developers sharing their projects - Think Like a Developer Minisodes: live in-progress deals - Insights from strategic partners like brokers, architects, engineers, and lenders - Exclusive Developer Vault Most US Cities have fewer than 10,000 residents. We donโ€™t need more outside investors, we need more locals taking action.

Information

You Might Also Like