Infill sites can be challenging, but they can also provide great opportunities for small builders in today’s market. Infills offer buyers the chance to live in a new, energy efficient home with modern conveniences while enjoying the benefits of an established community—parks, restaurants, entertainment and a variety of other amenities all located nearby. In this session, hear from experienced insiders on how they assess and choose an area to invest in and what design ideas to include that will differentiate them from larger builders. Learn how creative land planning and innovative single- and multifamily home designs can maximize infill sites, while strategically targeting buyers and driving sales.

1. Niche Markets: A small
builder’s guide to urban
infill

2. Meet Your Speakers
Eric Brown
Artisan Homes
Jared Carlon, MLA
Norris Design
Jon Webb
KEPHART

3. Session Description
Infill sites can be challenging, but they can also provide great
opportunities for small builders in today’s market. Infills offer buyers
the chance to live in a new, energy efficient home with modern
conveniences while enjoying the benefits of an established
community—parks, restaurants, entertainment and a variety of other
amenities all located nearby. In this session, hear from experienced
insiders on how they assess and choose an area to invest in and
what design ideas to include that will differentiate them from larger
builders. Learn how creative land planning and innovative single- and
multifamily home designs can maximize infill sites, while strategically

4. • Discover the rewards of taking on the challenges of infill development.
• Analyze creative design and site maximization solutions to spark
ideas for your next community.
• Learn how to evaluate valuable infill sites as they relate to the
surrounding neighborhood and development.
• Explore reasons why you should be open to considering
unconventional sites.
Session Learning Outcomes

5. The material in this education session has not been reviewed, approved, or endorsed
by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB). The topics discussed and the
materials provided herein are for informational purposes only, are not intended to be an
exhaustive presentation of information on a particular subject, and should not be treated
as such. The speaker or speakers are not acting on behalf of or at the direction of NAHB.
NAHB specifically disclaims any liability, loss or risk, personal or otherwise, which may
be incurred as a consequence, directly or indirectly, in the use or application of any of
the materials presented in this or any other education session presented as part of the
International Builders Show®.
NAHB Disclosure

6. Credit(s) earned on completion of this course will be reported to AIA CES
for AIA members upon completion of the AIA/CES Session
Participation Forms found in the back of this session room and online
at BuildersShow.com. Certificates of Completion for both AIA
members and non-AIA members are available upon request.
This course is registered with AIA CES for continuing professional
education. As such, it does not include content that may be deemed
or construed to be an approval or endorsement by the AIA of any
material of construction or any method or manner of handling, using,
distributing, or dealing in any material or product.
American Institute of Architects (AIA)
Continuing Professional Education

7. Why Consider Infill Sites?

8. • Demand for urban product continues to grow
• Most single-family builders will not consider smaller and/or more
difficult sites
• Wide variety of product types wanted by buyers and renters
• Typically less competition from larger tract builders
• Development fees can be lower than in outlying areas
• Some incentives may be available
Why Infill?

9. How Do You Evaluate Infill Sites?

10. • Where is the area on a desirability curve?
• Current zoning / Potential zoning
• Price per unit and price per square foot for land
• Condition of neighboring properties
• Potential opposition to project
• Seller cooperation
• General plan for area, ease of processing through city
• Probability of getting financing and investors to buy in
• General market risk factors and competition
How I Evaluate Sites

18. A
1,365 sf
2 story
1 car
17’
B
1,460 sf
3 story
2 car
18’
C
1,552 sf
3 story
2 car
20’
1,557 sf
2 story
1 car
23’
D

19. A
B
C
2 story
1 car
17’
3 story
2 car
18’
3 story
2 car
20’
2 story
1 car
23’
D
B
B
B CC
A
D
75’
145’
7.5’

21. A
B
C
2 story
1 car
17’
3 story
2 car
18’
3 story
2 car
20’
2 story
1 car
23’
D
AA
D DC
C
C C
C
125’
125’
7.5’

25. What Is The Sweet Spot?

26. • Risk/reward analysis
• Product type and price desirability vs. local existing home resale market
• Comparing lifestyle convenience (location, common area amenities, low
maintenance, energy efficiency, etc.) vs. compromises (size, parking,
trash, sound, privacy, etc.)
• Price per square foot vs. total price
• Locational trade-offs compared to other offerings
• Offering luxury vs. affordability
Finding the Sweet Spot for Infill Development

27. Luxury vs. Affordable Examples

28. Luxury vs. Affordable Examples

29. Luxury vs. Affordable Examples

30. Luxury vs. Affordable Examples

31. Luxury vs. Affordable Examples

32. Luxury vs. Affordable Examples

33. What Are Some Creative Design
and Planning Ideas For Infill Sites?

34. Small Mixed Use

43. 378 sf

44. What Are The Biggest Lessons
You’ve Learned Working On
Infill Projects?

45. • Attached product must be right. Hard or impossible to change product or
floorplans mid-stream.
• Can take long to process and requires much community involvement.
• Consider what options a buyer or renter has compared to your product.
• One dumb builder can hurt your potential for success.
• Multi-family building requires much more cash before closings begin.
• Get in and get out as fast as possible.
• Take advantage of emerging technologies.
• Timing and performa modeling- expect the worst case and hope for the best.
Biggest Lessons

50. Beware of Mixed Use

51. Know Lifestyle

52. Final Thoughts To Share

53. • Become as much of a local in the area as possible.
• Get local leaders and influencers on your side.
• Understand your buyer or renter’s lifestyle and design to it, not yours.
• Mixed-use product types need three times the thought of a single use.
• Staging sites and traffic diversions can be difficult and expensive.
• Graffiti/theft can be a big problem.
• Focus like a laser but be prepared for last minute changes.
Final Thoughts

54. Speaker Contact Information
Eric Brown
Artisan Homes
Paradise Valley, AZ
eric@artisanhomes.net
Jared Carlon, MLA
Norris Design
Denver, CO
jcarlon@norris-design.com
Jon Webb
KEPHART
Denver, CO
jonw@kephart.com