In this episode of the Land Development Podcast, Ryan Glick interviews Dr. Lee Newton, an optometrist and real estate developer. Dr. Newton talks about his journey from being an eye doctor to becoming an active real estate investor. Starting with small investments in residential properties, he shares how his frustration with the typical tenants and toilets model pushed him towards commercial development.
Dr. Newton explains how necessity drove him to acquire his general contractor’s license when developing his own office building, and from there, he became more immersed in the world of real estate development. He highlights his experiences working on various commercial projects, including a building he developed with partners in Bay City, Michigan, and how he navigated challenges like soil issues and rising costs during construction.
A significant portion of the conversation focuses on value engineering, a practice Dr. Newton advocates for, which allows developers to find cost-efficient solutions without sacrificing quality. He also shares insights into his current work, including a residential duplex project and his vision for future build-to-rent projects. His approach of combining professional expertise with hands-on involvement in real estate offers valuable lessons for other professionals looking to diversify into property investment.
Listeners will appreciate Dr. Newton’s practical advice on finding the right partners, scaling projects, and managing development costs. Whether you’re a seasoned developer or someone exploring real estate investment as a side venture, this episode provides great insights and inspiration for taking the next step.
Ryan sits down with Peter Murphy Lewis to talk about how storytelling can help developers and builders attract better talent and build stronger teams. They break down simple, practical ways to use video and real stories to stand out in today’s labor market.
Keith Miller joins the show to talk about his focus on building attainably priced homes at scale in Montana, why he’s using factory-built housing, and what it really takes to bring new supply to fast-growing markets.
Ryan and Charles break down falling homebuyer demand, a heated TikTok debate on millennial housing choices, a proposed property tax hike in New York City, and what a shrinking U.S. population could mean for developers.