The Andrew Hines Real Estate Investing Podcast · Andrew M. Hines

How to Identify the Best Properties for Infill Projects? with Dan Illes

·1 hr·3 clips

Dan says St. Catharines changed its zoning after he raised the issue at a council meeting.

Dan Illis returns after about two years away from the show. Andrew frames him as someone with deep knowledge of the subdivision side of real estate investing. Dan talks about land development and subdividing lots. He also explains how much of the work depends on dealing with municipalities directly. The conversation stays practical when it gets into arguing a case in front of a Committee of Adjustment. Dan describes winning those arguments and what that takes. Andrew keeps the tone conversational and keeps the discussion focused on the deal. The episode is built around the idea that one approval can unlock a project. Dan shares stories that show how zoning changes can shape the outcome of a file. He also talks about the value of persistence when a project has to keep moving through municipal channels. The conversation moves from approvals into execution. Dan says he is about 70 percent through two basement units. That leads into the complications of working in occupied buildings. The tenants are still living there while the work goes on. Noise, commotion, and constant disruption make the build harder. Plumbing becomes more difficult when the existing systems are already in use. Fire separation work is also more expensive when it has to be done retroactively. Andrew floats the idea of temporarily moving tenants out to make the work easier. The two of them think through whether that kind of short-term relocation would be practical. The episode closes with the usual relaxed sign-off and a strong endorsement of Dan’s expertise. The overall shape is part story time, part technical breakdown, and part cautionary lesson about how messy value-add development can get.

As heard by us

A grounded look at subdivision work, approvals, and the friction that can stall a project.

Dan Illis keeps the focus on the hands-on side of subdivision and land development. The strongest stretch is the Committee of Adjustment story, along with the tension around retrofitting basement units while tenants are still living there.

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Why you'd press play

You want subdivision and infill details from a developer who works with municipalities and Committee of Adjustments.

Read the full recommendation in PlayNext →

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