Asked for spreadsheet or something quantitative?

I some how managed to get an interview with a RE PE firm after submitting my resume online. I think the interview went well, connected with the interviewer and what not. As the title states, I was asked to send something quantitative that I’m proud of...whether it be a spreadsheet or whatever.

I don’t have any financial analysis experience or ever held any type of analyst role....which they clearly know based off my resume.

Help?

7 Comments
 

I would just find a case study or offering memo for a deal online and put together a basic acquisition profroma. Make a pretty summary sheet that formats and prints well. Based on the fact you don't have any analyst experience I'd imagine they aren't looking for a fully-dynamic waterfall model... Check out adventuresincre if you need some model examples (probably goes without saying, but I wouldn't plagiarize anything)

 

Thanks for your help man!

I couldn't produce anything. Quite frankly, I don't know anything about RE. I just applied online thinking I wouldn't get a callback. I tried reading up a few things online and watched a few tutorials but no luck. Thanks once again.

 

As bolo up said, I would check out AdventuresinCRE, they have some great introduction material. Try to make a model simple, but dynamic to show an understanding of basic concepts like how NOI is calculated, basic loan concepts, rental rate/expense growth, cap rate, and DSCR. Ultimate these REPE firms want to make sure you have a foundation in real estate private equity even if you won't be in a focused financial analyst position.

 
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No way in hell this guy can put together a model from Adventures in CRE unless he knows how to do VBA or advanced excel formulas. The fact that he has no CRE experience makes me wonder how the hell he can build a model for commercial or multifamily. I am surprised this so called REPE didn't give you an excel test (every decent size shop I have interviewed at has given an excel test). Anytime someone asks me to send them a model, I always say "no" but I am happy to do an excel exercise. Too many boutique shops looking to collect models or add on to new best practice. I am happy to spend a few hours building out a model at a company's shop if they want to test out my excel modeling skills or do a take home assignment. If I discuss a model I already have with a shop, I will bring a USB drive with the file and discuss it onsite. Too many sneaker mother fuckers looking for free labor or tools in CRE.

Array
 

You are damn right. Literally zero experience, I'm not sure what that firm was expecting tbh. I browsed AdventuresinCRE with no luck; I even watched some of the beginner tutorials. I never considered that some smaller firms may be looking for free shit, good point.

Anyways, I emailed the guy back and told him I didn't have shit. No answer lol Whatever, you win some and lose some. It's life, what can ya do.

 

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