Land Analyst

Dream Finders Homes; Bluffton (SC); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonuses tied to project approvals

Health, dental, and vision insurance

401(k) with company match

Paid time off and holidays

Clear career path to Land Acquisition;

Job summary

Dream Finders Homes seeks a Land Acquisition Analyst to join our Bluffton, SC team. This on-site role supports land opportunities from intake through entitlement and closing, building robust financial models and conducting market analysis to guide investments.

The candidate will work with leadership and development teams, perform site visits, and help transition to a Land Acquisition Manager role as part of a defined career path. Strong real estate finance background required.

Qualifications

• 2–4 years in real estate financial analysis, land acquisition, or project analysis with a homebuilder, residential developer, or multi-family construction/development firm.
• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree preferred.
• Advanced Excel and CMA/financial modeling experience.
• Experience with GIS mapping platforms and DealPath is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Underwrite and build proforma financial models, DCF analyses, CMAs, and land underwriting metrics for acquisitions.
• Oversee deal pipeline and workflows using DealPath; manage milestones and closing dates.
• Support due diligence with environmental reports, geotechnical studies, boundary surveys, and zoning/entitlement reviews; perform on-site visits.
• Track market trends, pricing, lot supply, permits, and absorption rates to identify growth corridors.
• Prepare Investment Committee memos and presentations synthesizing financial, engineering, and market data.

Skills

Real estate finance

Financial analysis

Excel modeling

Communication skills

English proficiency

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management/Real Estate/Finance/Economics/Business

Master’s degree (MSRE/MRED/MBA/MS in Construction Management) preferred

Tools

GIS mapping (LandVision/ArcGIS)

DealPath

Job description

Dream Finders Homes is seeking a high-caliber Land Acquisition Analyst to join our team in Bluffton, SC.

This role serves as the analytical and operational engine behind our land acquisition and development activities. Working closely with executive leadership and land development teams, you will evaluate residential land opportunities, build financial underwriting models, assess market conditions, assist with cross-functional due diligence tracking, and manage operational workflows from initial intake through site entitlement and closing.

If you have a strong background in real estate finance, residential land, or multi-family construction/development and are looking for a clear trajectory to grow into a Land Acquisition Manager, this opportunity is for you.

Key Responsibilities

Underwriting & Financial Modeling: Build and update detailed proforma financial models, DCF cash flow analyses, CMAs (Comparative Market Analyses), and land underwriting metrics for prospective residential acquisitions.

Pipeline & Operational Flow: Oversee operational workflows and project pipeline tracking using DealPath to manage deal status, milestone checklists, and critical closing dates.

Due Diligence Support & Fieldwork: Assist the Land Development team—who primarily leads site diligence—by supporting the review of environmental reports, geotechnical studies, boundary surveys, utility capacities, and zoning/entitlement restrictions. Perform regular on-site field visits as needed.

Market & Competitive Research: Track submarket housing trends, competitor pricing, lot supply, permit activity, and home sales absorption rates to identify viable growth corridors.

Approval Decks: Synthesize financial, engineering, and market data into executive-level Investment Committee memos and presentations to justify land transactions.

Qualifications & Requirements

Experience: 2-4 years of experience in real estate financial analysis, land acquisition, or project analysis with a homebuilder, residential developer, or multi-family construction/development firm. (This is not an entry-level/recent undergraduate role).

Education: Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Real Estate, Finance, Economics, or Business required. Master’s degree (MSRE, MRED, MBA, or MS in Construction Management) is highly preferred.

Software & Systems Mastery:

Advanced Microsoft Excel skills for complex financial modeling and CMA preparation.

Experience with GIS mapping platforms (e.g., LandVision, ArcGIS).

Familiarity with DealPath or similar real estate pipeline management software is a strong plus.

Industry & Construction Knowledge: Solid understanding of site feasibility, construction operational flow, land entitlements, zoning codes, and municipal approval processes.

Communication: Excellent verbal and written English communication skills; comfortable presenting data to executive leadership and interacting with local land sellers and brokers.

Work Location: On-site in Bluffton, SC with local field visits. Must be willing to work on-site (no remote option).

What We Offer

Competitive compensation structure with performance-based bonuses tied to project approvals and closings.

Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance options.

401(k) retirement plan with company match.

Paid time off and paid holidays.

Clear career path toward a Land Acquisition Manager position.

Location(s)

4454 Bluffton Park CrescentSuite 101, Bluffton , South Carolina 29910 , United States

Our benefits include: Health Insurance - Medical, Dental & Vision; Vacation & Holidays -- generous PTO & 8 holidays; 401(k) Savings Plan with company match, Employee Wellness and Employee Assistance Programs, Home Purchase Discount for Associates, Pet Insurance.

Dream Finders Homes is an equal opportunity employer, and considers all applicants without regard to race, color, sex, religion, disability, age, national origin, or any other legally protected status.

EEO is the Law

ADP Privacy Statement Artificial Intelligence Google Privacy Policy Google Terms of Service