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. 6d ago

    Opportunity Zones Could Change Your Next Deal | EP#76

    What if you could boost investor returns while bringing new development to your community? In this episode of the Local Real Estate Developer Podcast, Kristi Kandel sits down with Coni Rathbone, a real estate and securities attorney with 38 years of experience, to break down Opportunity Zones and how developers can use them to unlock tax advantages, attract capital, and make projects more profitable. Coni explains the shift to Opportunity Zones 2.0, new incentives for rural development, and how projects of all sizes can benefit. She also shares why choosing the right property, structuring deals correctly, and working with experienced legal and tax professionals can make or break an investment. From small multifamily deals to large-scale rural developments, this conversation reveals how smart planning and the right incentives can help bring projects to life. Bold Truth: Tax benefits won't save a bad deal. Find the right opportunity, build the right team, and create something your community actually needs. ๐Ÿ”— Full Episode: https://youtu.be/I8L9LqG4IL4 ๐Ÿ“ฅ Developer Vault: http://www.localrealestatedeveloper.com/developer-vault-optin Guest Coni Rathbone Website: https://rathbone-law.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/coni-rathbone/?isSelfProfile=false #localrealestatedeveloper #opportunityzones #realestatedevelopment #communitydevelopment #ruraldevelopment #realestateinvesting #localinvesting #buildlocal #economicdevelopment

  2. Oct 13

    From a Mountain House to an 11-Unit Micro Resort | EP#75

    What started as a search for a mountain vacation rental turned into an ambitious 26-acre hospitality development in Berkeley Springs, West Virginia. Ian Joseph shares how he went from real estate investing and commercial banking to building an A-frame, renovating a 26-acre property, and creating Branch Berkeley Springs, an 11-unit micro resort centered around nature, connection, and local hospitality. Along the way, Ian faced zoning restrictions, construction challenges, financing delays, and plenty of roadblocksโ€”but each challenge forced him to rethink the project and make it better. His biggest lesson? You don't have to build alone. Find the right people, build relationships, listen to the community, and let the obstacles shape a better project. ๐Ÿ”— Full Episode: https://youtu.be/-kv-1LASY-M ๐Ÿ“ฅ Developer Vault: http://www.localrealestatedeveloper.com/developer-vault-optin Guest Ian Joseph Website: https://staywithbranch.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ianjoseph.co/ 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 #hospitalitydevelopment #microresort #smalltowndevelopment #buildlocal #berkeleysprings #westvirginia

  3. Oct 6

    The Local Investor Who Turned an Old Camp Into a Resort | EP#74

    What happens when a small-town investor sees opportunity in a property everyone else overlooked? Eddie Gonnella started investing in 2019 with small BRRRR deals, a foreclosed house, and a $75K tax foreclosure that taught him one thing quickly: cheap properties often come with expensive problems. Those lessons eventually led Eddie to an abandoned 1940s iron workers camp in Maine. He transformed it into a 10-unit lakeside hospitality property, navigating creative financing, local banking, septic and water challenges, shoreline regulations, zoning, and permitting along the way. Now, Eddie is taking those lessons into his next 8-acre resort project, proving that development is often about asking the right questions, doing the homework, and solving problems as they come. From due diligence and financing to working with local officials and building a team, this episode is a real look at what it takes to go from investor to developer. Eddieโ€™s advice? โ€œVacuum the truck.โ€ Start with the next step, learn by doing, and keep moving. ๐Ÿ”— Full Episode: https://youtu.be/W_5xlw87oXk ๐Ÿ“ฅ Developer Vault: http://www.localrealestatedeveloper.com/developer-vault-optin Guest Eddie Gonnella Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/getogether.stays/ 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 #realestateinvesting #localdeveloper #commercialrealestate #hospitalitydevelopment #maine #mainerealestate #smalltownrealestate #realestateinvestor #propertydevelopment #buildlocal #communityfirst #localownership #realestatepodcast

  4. Sep 29

    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

  5. 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

  6. 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

  7. 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

  8. 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

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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.

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