The Residential Developer

In this episode of the Residential Developer podcast, host Nathan Battishall peels back the curtain on the often-overlooked personal toll of property development. While industry education typically focuses on strategy and numbers, Nathan argues that the mental, emotional, and relational costs of high-stakes projects are rarely discussed. He candidly addresses the "unspoken" consequences of unchecked stress, sharing how some successful investors lose their marriages or turn to substance abuse to cope with the pressure. The conversation challenges listeners to define a "deeper why" beyond financial gain, warning that wealth is meaningless if it costs you your family or health. Nathan shares his own strategies for maintaining balance, such as implementing strict boundaries between business hours and family time to ensure he remains present as a husband and father. He also emphasizes the importance of physical fitness and quiet time, viewing them not as luxuries but as essential methods to "recharge the battery" for leadership. Ultimately, this episode serves as a reality check, urging developers to design their lives intentionally so they don't find themselves successful in business but bankrupt in their personal lives.Topics: ✅ The Unspoken Mental Toll ✅ Growth Through Pressure ✅ The Cost to Relationships ✅ Substance Abuse & Coping ✅ Work-Life Boundaries ✅ Health as a BatteryConnect with Nathan Battishall: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathanbattishall/Website: https://duplexbuildingdesign.com/

Nathan dives into the most crucial skill for success in residential development: mastering feasibility. He stresses that running feasibility isn't about expense, but time investment, and that poorly run feasibility studies are the biggest pressure builder and cause of project failure.Learn why feasibility is both an art and a science and how it encompasses not just the financial numbers, but also buildability, compliance, and factoring in all project time frames (approvals, build, and sales). Nathan strongly advises aspiring developers to become laser-focused specialists in a small, proven area and to continually "flex that feasibility muscle" by testing both successful and unsuccessful sites. By doing the hard reps behind the scenes, you gain the insider knowledge to make calculated risks and secure the best deals.Topics: ✅ Feasibility: Art and Science ✅ Project Failure Point ✅ Avoid Emotional Investing ✅ Become a Laser Specialist ✅ The Feasibility Muscle ✅ Time Frames are KeyConnect with Nathan Battishall: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathanbattishall/Website: https://duplexbuildingdesign.com/

Are you constantly crunching numbers on potential duplex sites only to find that the feasibility just doesn't stack up? In this episode, Nathan Battishall reveals why many developers fail before they even start by purchasing "overcapitalised" properties that immediately kill their profit margins. You will learn the art of identifying undercapitalised hidden gems in infill areas, specifically looking for homes in disrepair or properties where a second story unlocks massive value. Nathan breaks down real-world examples where choosing the "ugly" house created instant equity compared to buying the nicer home just three doors down. Discover why buying a property that ticks all the standard boxes might actually be a financial trap and how to spot the true diamonds in the rough. Tune in to master the strategy of knockdown rebuilds and ensure your next project delivers the profit you expect.Topics: ✅ Feasibility and Site Viability ✅ Avoiding Overcapitalized Properties ✅ Identifying Undercapitalized Gems ✅ Demolition Cost Factors ✅ Unlocking Potential Views ✅ Targeting the Downsizer MarketConnect with Nathan Battishall: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathanbattishall/Website: https://duplexbuildingdesign.com/

In this episode of The Residential Developer Podcast, host Nathan Battishall tackles a topic he is passionate about: the critical difference between hiring an independent designer versus a design-build firm. He exposes the common "design-build trap," where a developer is lured in by a low initial price, only for costs to escalate significantly later on. The biggest danger is that the builder's in-house team owns the design copyright, preventing you from getting competitive quotes and locking you into their services. Nathan argues that to maintain control and ensure profitability, you must engage a designer first to create concept plans. This allows you to take those plans to multiple builders, keep them honest, and retain the flexibility to pivot if needed.Topics: ✅ Designer vs. Design-Build Firm ✅ The Copyright & IP Trap ✅ Hidden Costs & Price Variations ✅ The Power of Autonomy & Control ✅ Getting Quotes Before Full Approval ✅ Why You Should Pay Builders to QuoteConnect with Nathan Battishall: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathanbattishall/Website: https://duplexbuildingdesign.com/

In this episode of The Residential Developer Podcast, host Nathan Battishall tackles a challenge that many in the property space are coming unstuck on: the mandatory 7-star thermal rating in New South Wales. Introduced in the NCC 2022, this regulation has changed the game, making the old method of simply placing a project home on a block no longer viable. Nathan explains that achieving this rating is now a non-negotiable part of the approval process. He breaks down the simple climate design principles, like property orientation and glazing, that are now critical for both compliance and thermal comfort. This episode serves as an essential introduction for any developer looking to understand how to meet the 7-star standard without making their project financially unfeasibleTopics: ✅ The New 7-Star Rating Mandate ✅ Why Property Orientation is Critical ✅ Balancing Glazing, Views & Cost ✅ Yield Assessment vs. Solar Compliance ✅ Smart Design Over Expensive Fixes ✅ Working with a Thermal AssessorConnect with Nathan Battishall: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathanbattishall/Website: https://duplexbuildingdesign.com/

In this episode of The Residential Developer Podcast, host Nathan Battishall shares one of his "personal favorite" and often-neglected development strategies: purchasing unregistered land. He explains how this approach allows developers to secure property below market value, often with a very small deposit and no holding costs. This method is a great way to buy time while benefiting from potential capital growth as you wait for the land to be registered. Nathan details how to find sites with untapped potential that the average person misses, such as the ability to build multiple dwellings. Learn the key factors for finding these deals, the importance of expert advice, and the flexible exit strategies that make this a powerful tool for any developer. This strategy can be "liquid gold" for developers who know what to look for.Topics: ✅ The Unregistered Land Strategy✅ Low Deposits & No Holding Costs✅ Capital Growth While You Wait✅ Finding Untapped Potential✅ Navigating Planning & Restrictions✅ Flexible Exit StrategiesConnect with Nathan Battishall: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathanbattishall/Website: https://duplexbuildingdesign.com/

In this episode, host Nathan unveils a powerful strategy for profiting from property development without ever starting construction. He explores the tactic of securing a development approval on a site and then selling it to capture the significant value uplift. This method serves as a crucial alternate exit strategy and a fantastic way to generate cash flow, allowing developers to fund other projects or their business operations. Nathan shares a personal story of how he used a call option to turn a small investment into a six-figure sum on a land subdivision deal. However, he also cautions against worthless approvals and stresses that the deal must be treated with the same rigorous due diligence as if you were building it yourself. You'll learn how to structure these deals, identify the perfect buyers like builders or civil contractors, and ensure the numbers work for everyone involved. This is an essential listen for any developer looking to add a clever and highly effective tool to their playbook.Topics: ✅ The Approval Uplift Strategy ✅ Alternate Exit Strategies ✅ Using Property Options ✅ Cash Flow Generation ✅ The Need for Due Diligence ✅ Identifying Target BuyersConnect with Nathan Battishall: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathanbattishall/Website: https://duplexbuildingdesign.com/

In this episode, host Nathan Battishall exposes what he calls the biggest lie in residential development: the idea that simply finding the right site will guarantee you make plenty of money. He argues this myth, often fueled by picture-perfect social media posts, hides the true struggles of development and costs aspiring developers millions. Behind the glamorous facade, many projects are actually filled with financing hurdles, design challenges, slow approvals, and unrealistic timelines that drain profitability.To combat this, Nathan provides a practical three-step roadmap to build smarter and more profitable projects. This framework focuses on prioritizing rigorous feasibility studies, building with significant cost and time buffers, and the critical rule of assembling your expert team before you buy a site. Using real-world examples, he contrasts the costly failure of a developer who bought a site unprepared with the record-breaking success of one who followed the process correctly. This episode is a crucial guide for anyone looking to avoid common pitfalls and treat their development projects like a serious business, not a hobby.Topics: ✅ The Biggest Lie Costing Developers Millions ✅ The Hidden Reality Behind Social Media ✅ Why Your Feasibility Must Come First ✅ Building Projects with Time & Cost Buffers ✅ Assembling Your Team Before the Site ✅ Treating Your Project Like a BusinessConnect with Nathan Battishall: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathanbattishall/Website: https://duplexbuildingdesign.com/

In this episode of the Residential Developer Podcast, host Nathan Battishall shares the three essential rules every property developer must follow to build trust and achieve long-term success. Too often, developers gain a reputation for being greedy or unreliable but Nathan explains how integrity, vision, and respect can change the game.You’ll learn why acting with honesty in every decision builds stronger partnerships and a reputation people can rely on. Nathan also reveals why long-term thinking beats short-term wins, and how building a loyal dream team creates opportunities that last. Finally, he unpacks the power of respect in every relationship, from trades and consultants to investors and councils.These three rules are not just theory, they’re practical values that separate the developers who thrive from those who burn out. Whether you’re starting your first project or scaling multiple developments, this episode will help you build credibility, attract the right people, and create sustainable success in property development.Topics: ✅ Integrity in Every Decision✅ Why Developers Fail Without Trust✅ Long-Term Thinking vs. Quick Wins✅ Building Your Dream Team✅ Respecting People & Relationships✅ Creating Longevity in Property DevelopmentConnect with Nathan Battishall: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathanbattishall/Website: https://duplexbuildingdesign.com/