Best Real Estate Finance Careers for Extroverts?
What are some "prestigious" commercial real estate career paths in the capital markets world that aren't geographically constrained (like investment sales) for those who are natural salespeople or prefer a "marketing" type role. Acquisitions is generally the "sexy" route but it seems as though you're not really using a sales/business development skillset beyond convincing a broker to award you the deal or pitching investment committee. I know most CRE positions eventually become more business development-like at the senior level but what about starting out? I've looked into real estate capital advisory (Evercore RECA, HFF securities) and debt capital markets. Any other suggestions?
If you’re an extrovert, then brokerage (investment sales, debt/equity) will be your best and most successful bet. Once you get a solid rolodex, the industry is your oyster. Acquisitions is more sales at the mid to senior levels but if you’re looking for that right away, brokerage is the way to go.
The capital markets/investor relations world fits your general description. I am specifically referencing the people/groups/firms that raise capital for funds/deals (generally in the LP and/or co-GP positions). These people have titles like broker-dealers, placement agents, fund raisers, wholesalers, and other random things. Note, this is not true "real estate" per se, but those who raise money in the real estate space tend to specialize in real estate even if they could join the larger financial asset world (true knowledge of real estate assets and investments is generally needed/highly desired to do well). These can be great jobs/positions if you can get and are successful, a legit path to 7-figure earnings relatively early in a career. Can be stressful and volatile as well (all the high paid commissioned fields are like this).
As you and others have said D/E brokerage also works well, but the client base effect can make it more geographically limiting than you realize long term.
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