How Much Does A Developer Typically Pay For Raw Land?

How much ROI (return on investment) does a developer typically want to make on the land portion of a single-family housing development?

I have heard developers want to make 25% from the total package (sale of lot + house). However, the developers I have spoken to seem to want around 45-50% profit just on the sale of the land. Example, if I have 10 acres to sell, they want to pay me about $4m, while they can sell the improved lots for at least $9m.

I have been figuring the following: 27 lots x $350,000 = $9,450,000. Based on $45,000 per lot, subtract $1,215,000 for development costs = $8,235,000 to determine the net income from land sale.

If the developer wants a 40% profit, he would get $3,294,000. I would be paid the remainder, $4,941,000.

Three questions:
1) Are my calculations for development costs too low? I figured $45,000 per lot. I have heard that is typical around here (DuPage County, Illinois)

2) Is 40% a good return on investment for the developer?

3) Why would a developer not jump at an opportunity like this if he can make 40%? There are no drawbacks to the property. Quite a few developers have come to the same conclusion; they would put up about 27 homes. Improved lots around here go for at least $350,000, so I am being conservative in my figures, even factoring in a 40% profit for the developer, not the typical 25-30% I have heard is common.

If the developer can sell the improved lots for $9 million, how much should I reasonably expect for the land?

Thanks,

H. Mir

Comments(2)

  • nateham617th June, 2005

    How did you go about getting your absentee owner list? Thanks in advance.

  • chilln2music19th June, 2005

    local tax appraisor office...

    can someone maybe tell me what a good starting point would be for sq ft???

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