Valuations to small residential development

Throwaway account but I'm a long time lurker.

Currently work for a Canadian pension fund in the valuations group. I've been an analyst here for almost 2 years. Our portfolio is global so I've been getting a lot of exposure to many regions and asset classes, I'm really learning a lot and I find the work mentally stimulating/challenging. I don't have a large interest in trying to climb the corporate ladder, however, I do feel like I have a lot of opportunity with this company and feel that I could succeed.

Eventually I would like to form my own shop and become a regional residential developer, I'm thinking 5-7 years is when I'll go off on my own. I would ideally start sooner but I don't think I have the skills or resources to do so yet. In the mean time, I'm trying to build up a portfolio of income properties and properties that have strong development opportunity.

Valuations is great and working on top assets that are $1B+ is really interesting but has less of a transaction focus and I don't feel like I'm maximizing my time to prepare myself for going off on my own. My intention is to get some experience from a smaller residential builder to develop a skill set that I could directly use (land acquisition, managing a development project, working with city/contractors, etc...) and understand all sides of the business.

I realize I would be taking a paycut and lose the prestige (don't really care) but I feel like what I would learn but be more relevant, in terms of the skills as well as the region/asset class.

What do you guys think?
Should I be trying to make a move sooner?
Should I be sticking my current job out for a few more years?
Is my plan realistic??

Thanks in advance