On this episode of Zen and the Art of Real Estate Investing, Jonathan Greene welcomes back Jose Berlanga, real estate developer, builder, and author, for a deep dive into land investing, development strategy, and the lessons learned from more than 30 years in the business. Returning to the show with his new book, Dirt Rich: Explore the World of Land Investing and Development, Jose shares how land deals played a critical role in capitalizing his construction company and shaping his long-term investment approach.

The conversation explores the realities of land development, including zoning challenges, neighborhood resistance, entitlement risk, and why so many investors underestimate the complexity of building from the ground up. Jose explains the importance of repetition, local expertise, and understanding your niche, emphasizing that successful developers stick to what they know rather than constantly reinventing the wheel.

Jonathan and Jose also discuss timing market cycles, the role of capital reserves during downturns, and why reputation, relationships, and integrity matter more than squeezing every dollar out of a single deal. The episode offers a grounded look at land as the foundation of all real estate value and why patience, vision, and long-term thinking are essential for lasting success.

In this episode, you will hear:

How land flipping helped fund and grow a construction business
Why zoning, permitting, and community dynamics make land development complex
The risks of jumping into development without experience or local knowledge
Why repetition and staying in one niche lead to better outcomes
How reputation and long-term relationships create deal flow over time

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Supporting Resources

Connect with Jose:

Jose's first appearance on the show: https://zenandtheartofrealestateinvesting.com/podcast/211/

Website: https://joseberlanga.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorjoseberlanga

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authorjoseberlanga/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jose-berlanga-900a9518/

Jose's Books: https://joseberlanga.com/books/

Jose's New Book: https://www.amazon.com/Dirt-Rich-Jose-M-Berlanga-ebook/dp/B0FRNHY6PC

Connect with Jonathan:

Website - www.streamlined.properties

YouTube - www.youtube.com/c/JonathanGreeneRE/videos