Navigating the Detroit Land Bank Authority: Duke it Out w/ DeShawn Wilson
Jun 17, 2026
Episode Highlights:
Purchasing parcels from the DLBA.
Neighborhood Enterprise Zones (NEZ).
Navigating Detroit property taxes.
Important due diligence steps.
Specific considerations for Veterans.
“Detroit is a gold mine right now, as far as the land and development is concerned."
-DeShawn Wilson, Development Associate
Show Notes:
0:00 - Intro to episode 80 and DeShawn Wilson.
2:20 - DLBA marketed vs. non-marketed parcels.
3:59 - What are adjacent parcels?
7:03 - Navigating Detroit property taxes.
11:25 - What is the Right of First Refusal (ROFR)?
16:07 - Detroit Planning and Development Department (PDD) and the hold and maintenance agreement.
18:05 - The purchase agreement phase.
22:35 - Clearing the title and claiming your deed.
25:18 - Choosing rehab ready vs. blank slate.
27:20 - Doing your due diligence and pre-development funding.
34:52 - Why hiring an architect is worth the investment.
41:27 - How the land bank collects your taxes — the 5/50 tax capture.
44:12 - The permit process.
52:20 - Veteran development benefits and challenges with the NLBA.
56:17 - Concluding thoughts for episode 80.
Resources: