ABOUT

Since 2003, RJ Hernandez has established himself as a distinguished leader in the residential real estate industry. He combines tenacity and a results-driven mindset with extensive expertise in land acquisition, site design, architecture, construction, and strategic planning. RJ has worked with Fortune 500 real estate investment firms, managing projects with assets exceeding $1 Billion. His work includes collaborations with prominent companies such as Centex Homes, Richmond American, and K. Hovnanian. Over the years, RJ has played a pivotal role in the development, construction, and remodeling of thousands of homes and accessory dwelling units (ADUs) across Southern California.

Passionate about real estate as an investment, RJ is driven by a competitive spirit and a sharp eye for detail, allowing him to anticipate and adapt to evolving market conditions.

A Southern California native, RJ has lived and worked across Los Angeles, San Diego, Orange, Riverside, and San Bernardino counties. This firsthand experience provides him with an in-depth understanding of the region's diverse real estate markets. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology from the University of California, Riverside, and studied business management at the University of Sussex in Brighton, England.

Today, RJ remains highly active throughout Southern California, balancing his professional endeavors with personal passions. When not negotiating deals or designing homes, he dedicates time to mentoring youth, advocating for education reform, salsa dancing, and spending quality time with his two daughters.

RJ is the Best Selling Author of the Land Planner's & Developers Guidebook and many other books.

VALUE ADDED SERVICES

RJ brings over 20 years of real estate expertise, offering tailored solutions to meet the needs of a wide range of clients:

Investors: Provides detailed property analyses and proformas to align with specific investment metrics.
New Homebuyers: Delivers thorough assessments to ensure buyers have confidence in the structural integrity of their prospective homes.
Resale Homebuyers: Offers comprehensive evaluations to help buyers feel secure in their purchases.
Home Sellers: Combines extensive experience in real estate, construction, and land development to represent sellers with professionalism and insight.
Negotiation Expertise: Specializes in real estate transactions, particularly in land acquisitions, ensuring optimal outcomes for clients.
Buyers Seeking Due Diligence: Expertly manages due diligence processes for prospective purchases, providing peace of mind through meticulous oversight.

CURRICULUM VITAE - SUMMARY

20+ years of industry experience, 12+ at builder/developer project management.

Award-winning, results-driven real estate professional with a proven track record in residential land planning, design, construction, development, legalities, management, and investment. Experienced in project forecasting, budgeting, scheduling, negotiations, risk management, and strategic decision-making to drive successful outcomes meeting business metrics. Adept at distilling complex challenges into clear, actionable strategies. Brings extensive expertise across the full real estate lifecycle, including due diligence/feasibility analysis, entitlements, regulatory compliance (CEQA), site planning, design and engineering of vertical and horizontal elements, construction management, and asset optimization. Experience spans thousands of residential lots (single-family and multifamily), including recreation centers, parks, and amenities. Consistently achieves approvals within 2-3 review cycles through a methodical review of plans/comments, clear communication, and urgency. Leverages diverse experience across multiple firms to curate best practices and optimize project operating models. A career shaped by exposure to top industry mentors has cultivated deep knowledge, reducing risks and enhancing project certainty. Known for professionalism, work ethic, resourcefulness, attention to detail, and a sense of urgency and duty.

Author of Land Planner’s & Developer’s Guidebook.

Strengths Finders & DISC rated strong in creativity, responsibility, learning, strategic thinking & taking command.

EXPERIENCE

Strategic Management & Execution: Manages to business plan targets in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
Process Optimization: Developed standard operating procedures (best practices) and a multi-tasking tracker enhancing team efficiency, streamline reporting, and establish effective cadence.
Project Scope & Scale: Management of individual sites ranging from 55 to 1,045 lots, with a 250 lot average.
Budget Oversight: Creation, management, and operation strictly within $4MM–$20MM budgets.
Schedule Management: Development and adherence to comprehensive schedules encompassing planning, engineering, plan checks, construction, and project openings.
Land Acquisition Due Diligence: Feasibility/entitlements analysis, risk identification and mitigation, budget and schedule development, engagement with city officials and sellers, and drafting corporate presentations.
Land Planning / Entitlements: Leads projects from concept design through municipality approval, including presentations to decision-making bodies on map approvals, site design review, and conditions of approval.
Special District Formation: Coordination with third parties on SCIP and CFD formations and annexations.
Regulatory Compliance: Ensures adherence to CEQA requirements and regulatory agencies.
Product & Site Design Leadership: Directs engineers, landscape architects, and product design teams through site design, park/amenity planning, meter locations, value engineering, constructability reviews, and utility conflict resolution.
Procurement & Vendor Management: Develops effective scopes of work per project and oversees RFPs, bid analysis, contracting for civil/soils engineers, landscape architects, and land development subcontractors.
Government & Vendor Relations: Established trusted relationships with governing agencies and municipalities, including the Cities of Menifee, Riverside, Wildomar, Jurupa Valley, and San Jacinto.
HOA Management: Engages within HOA’s and with property managers for assets under management.
Legal Compliance: Manages DRE process, FHA Approval process, generating Disclosures & CC&RS.
Leadership & Mentorship: Provides targeted coaching to underperforming employees, fostering professional growth and performance recovery.
Team Management: As Director, recruited and led teams of up to six employees.

EDUCATION

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA RIVERSIDE

2003

BACHELORS OF ARTS, SOCIOLOGY

Commencement Speaker

Accepted to Honors Program

Alpha Lambda Delta Honor Society

Golden Key International Honor Society

UNIVERSITY OF SUSSEX, ENGLAND

2001-2002

STUDY ABROAD PROGRAM

FOCUS ON BUSINESS MANAGEMENT

ABOUT

CURRICULUM VITAE - SUMMARY

EXPERIENCE

EDUCATION

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