In this episode of The Land Development Podcast, Ryan sits down with Harsh Thakker, the founding principal of Dorado Capital, to explore his journey into the world of real estate. Harsh shares how his start in the industry began during an internship at a commercial brokerage while studying international politics at Georgetown. He discusses the transition from working with mortgage-backed securities to founding his own firm, highlighting the key moments that shaped Dorado Capital.
Harsh dives into the details of Dorado’s early projects, which began just months before covid. He opens up about the challenges faced during the pandemic, including supply chain disruptions and on-site restrictions that delayed project timelines. Despite these obstacles, Harsh explains how strong relationships with contractors and strategic partnerships helped his firm navigate through uncertain times.
The conversation also covers the intricacies of real estate development in the DC and Richmond areas. Harsh sheds light on the permitting processes and regulatory hurdles that vary between jurisdictions, emphasizing the importance of adaptability and contingency planning in this industry. He shares insights into how Dorado Capital is expanding its pipeline of residential developments, ensuring a steady flow of projects through 2027.
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.