Real Estate Finance & Investments

Real estate is a tangible asset that can be used to diversify a portfolio. It also has a low correlation to other asset classes, increasing its potential return per unit of risk.

Become proficient in the language and tools of real estate finance. Apply advanced theory and techniques to make sound investment decisions using real estate valuation models, financing decisions, and capital market analysis.

Risks

Real estate investments involve a number of risks, some of which are unavoidable. These risks can include unforeseen expenses and changes in the market, which can affect the investment return on the property. Investors can mitigate these risks by performing the right kinds of analysis and evaluating their comfort level with these risks. However, despite these risks, real estate is an excellent choice for investors who have the proper understanding and skill set.

The most common risk associated with real estate investing is market risk. This is the risk that the value of the property will decrease due to changes in demand, supply, and economic conditions. This risk can be mitigated by studying market trends and history, and by diversifying a portfolio of real estate assets.

Another risk to consider is leasing risk, which is the probability that a building will not be fully leased within a targeted time frame at a target rental rate. This risk can be mitigated by setting aside a sufficient amount of time and money to lease the units, as well as by providing incentives to attract tenants.

In addition to these risks, real estate investment carries additional financial risks that can be mitigated by using the correct leverage levels and studying capital costs carefully. Investors must avoid overleveraging their properties, which can lead to foreclosure or inability to refinance debt when it becomes payable. Generally, debt should not be incurred to a degree that exceeds 1.0 times net operating income.

Opportunities

Real estate investment banking offers a unique opportunity to learn and practice the fundamentals of real estate finance and investing. It provides a framework for understanding the capital structure of real estate investments, and introduces you to a number of different valuation methods and techniques. It also includes case studies that explore real estate investment opportunities, which will help you to apply the principles learned in this course.

Real Estate Investment Banking is a popular choice for those seeking to enter the world of investment banking. However, it can be challenging to get into this specialized group, which is why many prospective bankers opt for other sectors like oil and gas or financial institutions. Getting into REIB requires the same skills as other groups, including networking efforts and technical preparation. In addition, you will need to demonstrate that you have the right personality for the job.

A career in real estate can be lucrative and rewarding, but it can also be risky, especially for those who do not have the necessary experience or expertise to make the most of it. Fortunately, there are some ways to minimize your risks by analyzing the business plan and financial model of an investment. One way to do this is by using a discounted cash flow (DCF) model, which estimates the present value of future real estate income streams.

Valuation

Real estate has emerged as an important asset class for institutional investors and a source of portfolio diversification. It offers financing attributes beneficial to a variety of investment entities including private equity, funds, debt and public markets. This webinar explores the key concepts and analytical tools that drive real estate finance decisions. It examines how real estate investment opportunities are analyzed and financed, and addresses the role of the capital stack and financial leverage.

Students learn to evaluate income-producing properties, assess financing options and calculate investment returns. This includes property income statement development and financial analysis, commercial leases and financial modeling, capitalization rates, direct and yield capitalization, discounted cash flow analysis, sensitivity analysis and inflation sensitivity. This program is appropriate for all professionals in the real estate industry, from analysts and associates to senior executives and advisers.

One of the biggest challenges in real estate investment is understanding the risk/return tradeoff. This is often an art, rather than a science and requires experience and judgment. This course balances the “real world” aspects of real estate investment without sacrificing key theoretical underpinnings. It also emphasizes the ambiguity of decision making and the importance of trading off the different sources of risk in a real estate investment. This enables the student to develop more robust financial models and better understand the implications of various decision strategies.

Taxes

Real estate investments often come with substantial tax deductions. This includes property taxes, mortgage interest, property management fees, the costs of repairs and the cost to market a property. In addition, the capital gains realized when real estate is sold for more than it was purchased for are typically taxed at lower rates than regular income.

Investors may also take advantage of the ability to deduct a portion of their rental income as qualified business income (QBI) on their personal taxes. This is particularly useful for rental properties owned by investors who run a self-employed business.

Most individual investors cannot afford to purchase a single piece of real estate in full, so they leverage the asset by borrowing funds from banks or other mortgage lenders. They use these loans to acquire a number of properties and earn rent and other income from each one. These loans are paid back over time.

Investment real estate involves residential and commercial properties including homes, apartment buildings, warehouses and storage units. Some investors own investment properties on their own, while others participate in real estate syndication and invest in partnership-based investment funds. The latter approach mitigates risk by spreading investments among a group of investors and is typically managed by experienced professionals. The course teaches students how to make sound real estate investment decisions using advanced theory and techniques in financial economics such as Excel modeling, discounted cash flow analysis, valuation and debt financing.