Very true, Tobes.
Mind you, it's far more difficult to raise finance, these days, unless you can show the bank that you have a track record. Money is getting easier to raise, but the banks are placing a lot of emphasis on deliverability. I have acted for several national house builders, so I know my way around the block. In fact, the reason why I got involved with my builder partner is because he gave me the choice of being instructed by him, or investing my fees in a project (to wet my feet). The fact that I have several good finance contacts also put me in a good position. So, all I am risking are the fees that I would have charged, but the rewards are ten-fold. My builder partner is a very experienced builder, having built many scores of houses in the locality that we are now building in; he knows the area and the particular market very well, and he is a superb craftsman. He has won awards for his past work.
For me, it really is a no-brainer.