Getting started; why should I get into land development?; I'm no engineer, can I really do it?; developing your development team; the search for land begins; selecting viable projects; finding the hidden treasure; tying up the land without a full commitment to purchase it; having your experts do the preliminary check; public resources and agencies; going over the ground, from top to bottom; planning on paper; engineering evaluations; deciphering the dirt; land-loss and costs for roads; drainage systems; water requirements; flooding zones, wetlands and other deal-stoppers; location, and location; plans and specifications; getting development bids; sales projections; financing; zoning and code enforcement issues; neighbourhood resistance and boards of appeal; closing your land deal; insurance and subcontractor needs; staking your claim; rolling out the big rigs; site supervision; keeping your project on time and on budget; a marketing plan and sales team; moving onto new projects; resources directory.