Ground-up development often isn’t the first thing investors think of, but it can be a powerful way to deliver affordable housing, generate profit, and contribute meaningfully to a community. On this episode of Zen and the Art of Real Estate Investing, Jonathan sits down with Dale Wills, founder of Centra Capital Partners, who specializes in building entire single-family home communities from start to finish. With over 30 years in the industry, Dale has witnessed its transformation firsthand, from pre-Internet days to modern technology integration into nearly every step of the development process. Through his work, Dale partners with accredited investors to create thriving neighborhoods while achieving financial success.
Dale’s journey into real estate began at 18, working in construction, eventually leading to a career focused on building single-family communities. He shares his insights into the market, including why foreclosures offer great opportunities and how he identifies promising areas for development. He discusses the importance of making money at the buy, the process of finding land for new projects, and how a job loss pushed him to start his own company. Jonathan and Dale also explore the challenges of creating affordable housing, the benefits of new builds over pre-existing homes, and how investors can make a real difference in their communities.
You’ll hear more from Jonathan and Dale about the following:
- Dale explains the advantages of single-family assets versus multifamily properties.
- Centra Capital Partners uses the Henry Ford model approach to their new builds.
- All of Dale’s new builds have the same materials, so buyers aren’t surprised by upcharges or material differences.
- While he’s currently focused on the Minnesota market, Dale is looking to expand into the Midwest, where there is more opportunity to create affordable housing options.
Dale Wills’s passion for building affordable housing impacts his investing career. For that reason, he is as excited as ever about single-family homes despite their decreasing popularity with investors.
If you want to learn more about Zen and the Art of Real Estate Investing Podcast, check out https://zenandtheartofrealestateinvesting.com/podcast/204/.