Intro:

We all drive past a new subdivision breaking ground and wonder, “Who’s behind all this?” Those people are the real estate developers — the invisible hands shaping how Central Ohio grows. From master-planned communities like Evans Farm to luxury infill projects in Powell and Dublin, developers play a bigger role in your daily life (and home value) than you might think.

1. Developers Find and Control the Land

It starts with dirt. Developers identify underused or strategically located land — often farmland, wooded lots, or old industrial parcels — and assemble it into a buildable site. In places like Delaware County, where Columbus is expanding fast, land acquisition is an art form all its own.

2. They Work With Cities and Counties on Zoning

Before a shovel hits the ground, developers navigate zoning meetings, site plans, and public hearings. That’s how communities like Evans Farm or Wedgewood were born — through years of coordination with planners to balance growth, traffic, and community standards.

3. They Build the Infrastructure Before You Ever See a Home

Roads, sidewalks, utilities, drainage — all of that happens before the first foundation is poured. Developers lay the groundwork (literally) so builders can focus on the homes themselves. When you see MI Homes or Bob Webb signs go up, they’re working on land that’s already been developed and approved.

4. They Set the Vision and Standards for the Community

Ever notice how some neighborhoods just feel cohesive — great landscaping, matching mailboxes, smart layout? That’s not luck. Developers often create architectural guidelines, lot sizes, and amenities that give a neighborhood its identity and long-term value.

5. They Partner With Builders — Not Compete With Them

In Evans Farm, for example, developers work with multiple custom and production builders (like 3 Pillar, Kenric, Carbon, and Bellepoint) to offer variety while maintaining community integrity. It’s a symbiotic relationship — the developer creates the environment, the builders bring it to life.

CTA:

👉 Want to learn which new communities are being developed right now around Powell, Dublin, or Westerville? Let’s talk — I can show you what’s coming before it hits the market.

[Contact Patrick Murphy, Realtor — Columbus, Powell & Dublin Expert]