Book excerpt: This comprehensive text focuses on how to develop raw land into marketable residential lots and homes, offering practical and proven techniques to manage land development operations and the process of regulating, debating, designing, and building residential neighborhoods. A successful management process of developing land on time and within budget is outlined in detail. The extensive reports and methods described are useful day-to-day management tools for the land development industry. Topics include cost estimating, conceptual design planning, approval strategies, the land development bid process, project management, and operational procedures. Also covered are preparing design documents, obtaining bids of equal comparison, implementing a project plan in the field, budget constraints controls, and understanding the best interest of the home buyer.