The Building Culture Podcast

#7 R. John Anderson - An Insightful Journey From Tradesman to Developer

Jan 26, 2024

In this podcast, R. John Anderson, a tradesman turned developer and influential figure in urban planning, shares his unique journey. He discusses his early challenges, the impact of the 2008 financial crisis, his transition to a successful developer, insights on small-scale development and building sustainable communities, and his perspective on 'form follows finance' in urban planning.

01:29:12

Creator website

Episode guests

R. John Anderson

AI Summary

AI Chapters

Episode notes

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

Utilizing underutilized and vacant spaces in strip centers along arterial roads can be a profitable investment for small developers.

House hacking, where buyers live in one unit and rent out others, is a smart strategy for young and small developers to make housing more affordable.

Debt service coverage ratio (DSCR) loans based on property cash flow can be a useful financial instrument for small developers, especially for projects where traditional financing is difficult to obtain.

Deep dives

Opportunities in Corridors of Crap

One interesting financial opportunity for small developers is to utilize underutilized and vacant spaces in strip centers along arterial roads. By dividing and renovating these spaces, developers can create smaller, more affordable commercial units that are in high demand. These spaces can be leased out to office or service-based businesses, offering a more attractive alternative to second-floor spaces in larger buildings. This approach can provide immediate rental income and be a profitable investment.

Introduction

5min

From Tradesman to Developer

7min

Working in the Public Sector

29min

A Journey from Workshops to Virtual Boot Camps

2min

Exploring 'Form Follows Finance' and the Challenges of Small-Scale Development

5min

Exploring Small Balance Loans and their Benefits

11min

Financial Instruments for Small Developers

22min

Blending Art and Science

8min

Today I sit down with the infamous and inspiring R. John Anderson, also known as 'R John the Bad'. We dive into John's unique story, from his early days quitting high school to pursue his passion in the trades, to his transformative experiences as a developer and influential figure in urban planning.

I met John in 2016 at an Incremental Development Alliance workshop he was putting on in San Antonio--teaching normal folks how to be small-scale developers.

I love his message about "form follows finance", and that, while it is good to romanticize and dream, we also have to live in reality if we want to get anything done. 🔹 Key Topics: - John's early challenges and how they shaped his career - Impact of the 2008 financial crisis on his philosophy - Transition from tradesman to a successful developer - Insights on small-scale development and building sustainable communities - John's perspective on 'form follows finance' in urban planning 🔹 Connect with R. John Anderson: John's Blog: https://www.rjohnthebad.com/ Incremental Development Alliance: https://www.incrementaldevelopment.org/ 🔹 Timestamps: 00:01 - Introduction to John Anderson 01:06 - John's early life and entry into construction 03:15 - Shift to architecture and impact on development philosophy 05:25 - Experiences with large-scale projects and learning from failures 08:50 - Influence of Leon Kreer and the New Urbanism movement 14:28 - Insights on public service and infrastructure development 20:08 - The journey towards incremental development and small-scale projects 33:04 - Strategies for young developers in the current financial landscape 43:52 - The concept of 'form follows finance' in urban design 01:00:37 - Exploring opportunities in urban renewal and sprawl repair John has a lot of bits of wisdom and insight for anyone interested in architecture, urban planning, and sustainable development. Thanks a ton for coming on!