Where real estate meets rhythm | Developer, investor, live music enthusiast, and mountain seeker.

Growing up, my mom went to heroic lengths to make Thanksgiving special for my sister and I. She’d spend all day in the kitchen, determined to nail every American tradition, producing this elaborate turkey dinner for us and extended family. Here’s the thing though: My sister actually hated turkey. Found it too dry. But she never had the heart to tell Mom after all that effort, so she’d just drown it in gravy and cranberry sauce while the rest of us pretended not to notice. Then we’d face days of leftovers haunting the fridge. Eventually, we discovered the restaurant “Thanksgiving Package”, the whole spread, professionally done, no stress. Mom seemed almost relieved. Turns out the point was never really about who cooked what. This year we’re in Maine, doing what’s become our new tradition: skiing together and catching up with friends in the area. It’s a far cry from those childhood Thanksgivings, but that’s the beauty of it. The traditions evolve, the location changes, but as long as we’...

​ The transformation captured in these before-and-after photos tells a story that every real estate developer dreams of writing — but few get to execute at this scale and speed. In April 2025, cranes lifted prefabricated modules into place on vacant lots in South Holyoke, Massachusetts. By November, twenty families are preparing to move into brand-new, energy-efficient homes. This is Holyoke Homes, and it represents everything I believe about the future of affordable housing development. Why This Project Matters As someone who focuses on affordable housing across multiple New England markets, I’m constantly evaluating what actually works versus what sounds good in theory. Holyoke Homes works because it addresses several critical challenges simultaneously: Speed to Market: Traditional stick-built construction in 2025 faces persistent labor shortages, weather delays, and supply chain complications. This modular approach cut months off the typical timeline. First modules arrived in March;...

​ Maine is experiencing a housing affordability crisis that presents both a challenge and an opportunity for mission-driven developers. From the ski towns of the western mountains to the cultural hub of Portland, communities across the state are struggling to house their workforce, young families, and long-time residents. For developers willing to tackle this challenge, Maine offers compelling opportunities to build profitable projects while addressing a critical community need. I’m currently working on affordable housing developments across five distinct Maine markets—Newry, Bethel, Rumford, Waterville, and Portland—each offering unique advantages and serving different community needs. The Western Mountains: Newry and Bethel The western Maine ski region has become ground zero for Maine’s affordability crisis. Newry and Bethel, home to Sunday River and proximity to world-class outdoor recreation, have seen property values skyrocket as second-home buyers and short-term rental investors ...

​ As someone who’s spent decades analyzing real estate markets and deploying capital across the country, I pay close attention to where home values are moving—and why. The latest data from [Realtor.com](http://Realtor.com) reveals something I’ve been watching closely: ten cities have experienced extraordinary appreciation since 2019, with gains that have fundamentally reshaped local wealth dynamics. The Fundamentals Still Matter Let me start with what hasn’t changed: supply and demand drive everything in our business. When sales volume surges without corresponding construction activity to match it, values climb. It’s Economics 101, but the magnitude of recent gains in certain markets has been remarkable—even by historical standards. Ten cities stand out for exceptional appreciation across the top 100 U.S. metros. Interestingly, they split evenly between the South and Northeast, though for very different underlying reasons. This geographic distribution tells me we’re not looking at a si...

Look, I’ve been in this game long enough to know that when everyone’s chasing the same hot markets, the real opportunity is usually hiding in plain sight. And right now, that opportunity is Pittsburgh. While every other investor is dumping money into overheated coastal markets, Steel City is quietly building something sustainable. We’re talking a median list price of $250,000—that’s more than $150K below the national median. Let me put that in perspective: five years ago, the median was $234,900. That’s only 6% appreciation. In most markets, that would be a red flag. Here? It’s stability, and stability is what creates long-term wealth. The Numbers Don’t Lie Here’s what caught my attention: According to [Realtor.com](http://Realtor.com), Pittsburgh is the *only* major metro where buying beats renting for first-time homeowners. Think about what that means from an investment standpoint. You’ve got natural demand from buyers who actually have a financial incentive to purchase. That’s a sel...

Hey everyone, I wanted to share something that’s been on my mind lately, and honestly, it’s probably on a lot of your minds if you’re living in Florida. So there’s this new study out of Florida Atlantic University that’s been making waves, and the numbers are pretty eye-opening. Turns out, almost half of Floridians are seriously thinking about packing up and leaving because of how expensive everything’s gotten. Yeah, you read that right—nearly 50% of Floridians are at least considering it. FAU’s researchers surveyed about 1,000 people across the state, asking them about their finances, their budgets, and whether the whole “American dream” thing still feels possible here. And what they found? Well, they’re calling it the “sunshine squeeze,” which is a clever name but represents a not-so-fun reality. The Cost of Living Is Really Hitting Home Here’s what really stood out to me: 80% of people are worried about housing costs. Not just “a little concerned”—nearly half said they’re ‘very’ con...

Finding the Right Site • Securing Zoning Approvals • Controlling Construction Costs by Daniel Kaufman, Real Estate Developer & Investor Building Smarter, Not Harder If you’re a developer, you know how fast momentum can fall apart. The site looks perfect until you realize the zoning isn’t there. The pro forma works until you see the real bids. The city “loves the vision” until you’re six hearings deep with no vote. I’ve lived that cycle — from rewiring historic houses, while getting my architecture degree, to walking ski-in/ski-out sites in mountain towns, to working through approvals on coastal infill projects. The lesson is always the same: Most projects don’t fail because the idea is bad. They fail because one part of the process is misaligned. That’s where I step in. I help at the three points where developers usually bleed time, money, and sanity. 1️⃣ Finding the Right Site The right site is not “whatever’s for sale in a hot market.” The right site is the one that supports: wha...