Expertise from Forbes Councils members, operated under license. Opinions expressed are those of the author. In the fast-paced world of real estate, staying ahead of the curve is the name of the game.

There are a few ways to become a real estate developer in New York City. One: Be the spawn of a dynastic family. Two: Strike it rich in another field, put that money into buildings and learn on the go ...

This reputation is not a luxury we can continue to afford—we must be able to rely on real estate developers to meet our society's growing demands for commercial, residential and industrial projects ...