About us
At the Baltimore Washington Real Estate Investors Meetup - Something very unique happens the second Wednesday of every month, when real estate investors gather from across the Baltimore/Washington Metropolitan areas to learn from local and national experts in the most prolific investment community around. They experience the energy of networking and the warmth of a welcoming, supportive, and thriving investor community. In this dynamic environment, they are motivated and inspired to succeed. And they do deals - - right in the room!
Everything we do is geared toward helping our Members build, manage, and grow their business. We are driven by our mission to provide the most comprehensive real estate investment education and training, the best networking opportunities, and the most innovative tools and resources available. Our guest speakers are the best informed presenters - whether locally or nationally acclaimed. We carefully vet and select each speaker based on experience level and shared values. The BW REI Meetup is not your run of the mill “pitch-fest” that occurs at many REIA meetings. Instead, every speaker we invite comes to share their knowledge, best practices, and the tools and resources most relevant to TODAY’S real estate market – period!
Whether you invest in Maryland, Virginia, or the District of Columbia, you are welcome at the BW REI Meetup. Come to network, to learn, and to grow your real estate business!
Upcoming events
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BW REI Virtual Meetup - Ground-Up Real Estate Development
·OnlineOnline# BW REI VIRTUAL MEETUP GROUND-UP REAL ESTATE DEVELOPMENT
### Building Wealth One Vacant Lot at a Time!
Wednesday, November 11, 2026 | 7:00 PM
Featuring Vernon Vaughn
Developer | Investor | Mentor
REGISTER TODAY: https://bit.ly/BWREIMeetup2026## WHAT IF THAT VACANT LOT COULD BECOME YOUR NEXT MILLION-DOLLAR OPPORTUNITY?
Have you ever driven past an abandoned property or vacant lot and wondered what it would take to build something there?
What if, instead of simply driving past it, you could recognize its potential, evaluate the numbers, secure the land, and turn it into a profitable real estate development?
Ground-up real estate development may seem intimidating. Building a brand-new home from scratch on raw or underutilized land involves more than just construction. It requires understanding the land, zoning, feasibility, financing, planning, and execution.
But here's the good news: You don't have to be a large-scale developer to learn how to make it happen!
Join us for an exciting and educational BW REI Virtual Meetup as we explore the world of ground-up real estate development and uncover the opportunities that vacant lots can offer investors.
REGISTER TODAY: https://bit.ly/BWREIMeetup2026## WHAT YOU'LL LEARN: THE CORE PHASES OF GROUND-UP DEVELOPMENT
We'll break down the development process, from identifying the opportunity to completing the project and creating value.
1. Pre-Development & Feasibility: Is the Deal Worth Pursuing?- How to identify promising development opportunities.
- Conduct market research and evaluate neighborhood demand.
- Understand zoning, environmental considerations, soil testing, and due diligence.
- Evaluate project costs, potential returns, and financial feasibility.
- Understand the role of architects, engineers, and permitting professionals.
2. Land Acquisition: Finding and Securing the Right Property
- Where to find vacant lots and teardown opportunities.
- How to evaluate land based on its development potential.
- Understand acquisition costs and the importance of land value in your overall project budget.
- Explore opportunities to wholesale vacant land to builders or acquire it for your own development.
3. Financing: How to Fund Your Development
- Understand investor equity, partnerships, and construction financing.
- Explore ground-up construction loans and typical loan structures.
- Learn how construction draws work and how funds are released as projects reach completion milestones.
- Understand the importance of managing cash flow, equity requirements, and construction costs.
4. Site Preparation & Construction: Turning Dirt Into a Development
- Surveying, clearing, grading, excavation, and utility installation.
- Understanding the construction process, from foundation to framing.
- Roofing, exterior finishes, plumbing, electrical, HVAC, and interior finishes.
- Project timelines, contractor coordination, and managing the construction process.
5. Exit Strategies: How to Turn Your Development Into Profit
- Build and sell for a potential development profit.
- Build and hold as a long-term rental investment.
- Explore pre-leasing and pre-sales strategies.
- Understand how your exit strategy impacts the numbers and overall investment.
## BEYOND THE CLASSROOM: A REAL-WORLD DEVELOPMENT EXPERIENCE!
We're taking this conversation beyond theory and into the field!
Get an inside look at Vernon Vaughn's latest infill development project. Explore the real numbers, real decisions, challenges, and opportunities involved in bringing a new development to life.
This is your opportunity to see how an experienced developer evaluates opportunities and navigates the process of transforming underutilized land into new housing.## MEET OUR GUEST SPEAKER: VERNON VAUGHN
Developer | Investor | Mentor
Vernon Vaughn brings more than two decades of real estate investing and development experience.He began investing in 2003, focusing on cosmetic rehabs and wholesaling. Nearly a decade before syndications became mainstream, he launched small syndication projects, gaining valuable, hands-on experience with investor partnerships and deal structures.
Following the market downturn, Vernon resumed rehabbing in 2009 and steadily expanded into larger projects. By 2017, he had moved into ground-up infill development, transforming underutilized vacant lots into newly constructed housing.
His journey represents the evolution of a real estate investor who continually adapted, expanded his knowledge, and pursued opportunities to create value in the market.
Now, Vernon is sharing his experience to help other investors understand what's possible beyond traditional real estate investing.
## WHO SHOULD ATTEND?
Whether you're a beginner or an experienced investor, this meetup is for you if you:
- Want to expand beyond traditional fix-and-flip investing.
- Are interested in ground-up construction and new development.
- Want to learn how to identify and evaluate vacant land.
- Are interested in wholesaling land to builders and developers.
- Want to explore partnerships and financing opportunities.
- Are looking for new ways to build wealth through real estate.
## THAT VACANT LOT YOU KEEP DRIVING PAST COULD BE YOUR NEXT DEAL!
You could wholesale it. You could partner with a builder. Or you could develop it yourself.
The opportunity begins with knowing what to look for and understanding what's possible.
Don't just look at vacant land. Learn how to recognize its potential and turn that opportunity into a real estate investment strategy!
### JOIN US WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2026 AT 7:00 PM!
REGISTER TODAY:
https://bit.ly/BWREIMeetup2026
We look forward to seeing you virtually!
Marcus Hairston & The BW REI Meetup Team3 attendees
BW REI Virtual Meetup
·OnlineOnlineBW REI Virtual Meetup
2nd Wednesday of each month at 7PM
Zoom Registration Here: https://bit.ly/BWREIMeetup2026Join the BW REI Virtual Meetup, a premiere meetup group in the Baltimore Washington Metro Area. We are one of the largest, most established real estate groups in the Baltimore Washington Metro Area. We provide investors with a wide variety of information and resources for investing in real estate. Keep your pulse on the changes and challenges of investing in the DMV (DC, Maryland & Virginia). Learn from local experts and select national speakers as we provide the most comprehensive real estate investment education, experiences, networking and the most innovative tools available.
We cover a variety of topics:
Funding Deals
Finding Deals
BRRRR
Buy & Holding
Fix & Flip
Landlording
Property Management
Renovation
Wholesaling
Creative Financing
Business Credit
Layout & Design
StagingA licensed contractor and realtor will be on our virtual meeting to discuss topics and answer questions.
And much more….We look forward to seeing you Wednesday at 7PM!
Zoom Registration Here: https://bit.ly/BWREIMeetup2026"Where Real Estate Investors Connect!"
See you there,
Marcus Hairston and The BW REI Meetup Team1 attendee
Past events
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