Though real estate wasn’t initially the focus, entrepreneurship has always driven Jose Berlanga. On this episode of Zen and the Art of Real Estate Investing, Jose shares wisdom from over 30 years of experience as CEO of multiple construction companies in Houston, Texas, specializing in residential projects. He also discusses his book, “The Business of Home Building: How to Start and Operate a Residential Construction Company,” offering guidance for aspiring builders, investors, and entrepreneurs.
Jonathan and Jose dive into the foundational lessons Jose learned from his father about business, which set the stage for his journey into real estate. Jose shares how teaming up with his architect brother to start a construction company led to tackling the challenges of building affordable housing and identifying the best times to maximize profit. Their conversation reveals the importance of understanding your market and customers, focusing on excelling in one sector, and Jose’s strategies to secure land for development in Texas. They also discuss knowing when to pass on a deal, Jose’s recent shift in his business model, and why he believes now remains a good time to invest.
You’ll hear more from Jonathan and Jose about:
- Jose Berlanga learned from his dad how to be a good businessman and salesman, influencing him to become an entrepreneur and developer instead of just a buyer.
- Initially, he had difficulty getting credit to begin developing and building, so Jose leveraged his personal credit to complete the first house for his construction company.
- Jose remains focused on Texas because he knows the market and what works there. He also doesn’t over-leverage and only buys when a deal makes sense.
Jose Berlanga didn’t grow up in the construction business, but with savvy business sense and a purpose, he built a successful business model that continues today.
If you want to learn more about Zen and the Art of Real Estate Investing Podcast, check out https://zenandtheartofrealestateinvesting.com/podcast/211/.