ABOUT

Over the past 15 years, RJ has outperformed industry entitlement timelines by 38.7%, delivered over $1.1 Billion in real estate, and consistently got Bldg Approvals in 2-3 plan checks, faster than industry average.

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, and construction management. 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

CORE SKILLS & ACCOMPLISHMENTS: (Tasks, skills, and responsibilities done across multiple roles)

Strategic Management: Manage to business plan targets in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
Process Optimization: Development and enforcement of company/division wide standard operating procedures (best practices), including architectural standards, landscape plan standards and processes/forms, ensuring consistency and quality across projects.
Developed multi-tasking trackers to streamline reporting, establish team efficiency, keep with cadence
Project Scope/Scale: Management of project sites ranging from 55 - 1,045 lots, with a 250 lot average.
Budget Oversight: Creation, management, and operation strictly within $4MM–$20MMbudgets.
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/mitigation, budget & schedule development, engagement with city officials & sellers, and drafting corporate presentations.
Land Planning / Entitlements: Leads projects from concept design through municipality approval, including presentations to decision-making bodies on maps, site design, and conditions of approval.
Comprehensive reviews of architectural designs, civil engineering improvement plans & landscape architecture to value engineer, optimize constructability & align elements with the market & the City.
Product & Site Design Leadership: Directed engineers, landscape architects & product design teams through site & park/amenity design, value engineering, constructability review, conflict avoidance.
Special District Formation: Coordination with third parties on SCIP & CFD formations & annexations.
Regulatory Compliance: Ensuring adherence to CEQA requirements and regulatory agencies.
Procurement & Vendor Management: Developed clear scopes of work per project and oversaw RFPs, bid analysis, contracting for civil/soils engineers, landscape architects & vendors/contractors.
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: Engagement within HOA’s & with property managers.
Legal Compliance: Management of DRE & FHA Approval process, generated Disclosures & CC&RS.
Leadership: Provided coaching to underperforming employees toward 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