In this episode of The Land Development Podcast, host Ryan Glick is joined by Tim Portzen, Vice President of Diligent Development. Tim shares his journey in the real estate and land development industry. Starting from his early days pouring concrete in Dubuque, under the mentorship of his uncle, to his strategic move into the financial side of real estate. With a dual major in real estate and finance from the University of Northern Iowa, Tim carved a path that led him through commercial real estate lending in the Twin Cities, eventually guiding him back to Iowa where he joined Hubbell Realty before making a move to join Diligent Development.
Throughout the conversation, Tim offers insights into the nuances of land development, highlighting the importance of a solid understanding of the construction process, the important role of education in advancing one’s career, and the unique challenges and rewards of working in both large corporations and small, entrepreneurial environments. His transition from Hubbell Realty to the more intimate setting of Diligent Development underscores a desire to play a significant part in a smaller team, where he can have a direct hand in transforming raw land into thriving communities.
Listeners will also gain an understanding of the significance of community and reputation in the land development business, as Tim discusses the strategic focus of Diligent Development in Warren County, Iowa, and their efforts to maintain a strong, positive presence within the local community. This episode also touches on the broader aspects of the industry, including the anticipation and planning around market trends, the impact of national economic indicators on local development projects, and the value of networking events like the Builder and Developer Luncheon to build connections and share insights within the industry.
Finally, Ryan and Tim dive into the entrepreneurial side of land development, discussing the balance between wearing multiple hats in a small company and the specialized roles found in larger organizations. They conclude with a nod to the importance of maintaining a robust network, the power of a strong brand, and the important role of personal and professional integrity in the success of land development projects.
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.