Best way to position myself for REPE?

Currently a freshman at a target, my goal being to break into REPE and had a few questions regarding what the best way to position myself for this is:

  • What are the best resources for studying technicals?
  • Is it possible for me to get any meaningful experience this summer and how should I go about it?
  • How realistic is breaking into REPE straight out of undergrad - would I have to do RE banking or something similar first? 

    Would appreciate any thoughts/advice.
16 Comments
 

To position yourself effectively for Real Estate Private Equity (REPE), here’s a breakdown based on the most helpful WSO content:

1. Best Resources for Studying Technicals

  • RE Master Program: This program offers 12 courses and over 50 hours of content, covering essential topics like financial modeling, valuation, and real estate-specific technicals.
  • Private Equity Interview Bootcamp: A one-day intensive bootcamp that includes detailed LBO tests and case studies, which are crucial for REPE interviews.
  • WSO Free Modeling Series: Includes lessons on financial statement modeling, DCF, M&A, LBO, and comps, taught by experienced professionals.
  • Cap Table Modeling and Term Sheets: Offered in the Venture Capital Course, this can also be useful for understanding deal structures in REPE.

2. Getting Meaningful Experience This Summer

  • Internships: Even as a freshman, you can aim for internships at small REITs, property management firms, or boutique real estate investment firms. These roles may not be glamorous but will provide foundational knowledge and exposure to the industry.
  • Networking: Leverage your target school’s alumni network and platforms like LinkedIn to connect with professionals in REPE. Informational interviews can lead to internship opportunities.
  • Collegiate Real Estate Network: Participate in summer internship supplement series or similar programs to gain insights and connections in the industry.

3. Breaking into REPE Straight Out of Undergrad

  • Direct Entry: Breaking into REPE directly from undergrad is challenging but not impossible, especially if you’re at a target school. Focus on securing internships in real estate investment or related fields during your sophomore and junior years.
  • Alternative Pathways: Many professionals enter REPE after gaining experience in real estate investment banking, real estate finance, or consulting. These roles provide the technical and deal experience that REPE firms value.
  • Boutique IB vs. Fortune 50: If you’re deciding between internships, boutique investment banking with a real estate focus is often more relevant for REPE than a general corporate role at a Fortune 50 company.

4. Additional Tips

  • GPA and Skills: Maintain a strong GPA and develop technical skills in Excel, financial modeling, and real estate valuation.
  • Certifications and Courses: Consider certifications or courses in Argus, financial modeling, or real estate finance to stand out.
  • Long-Term Strategy: If you don’t land a direct REPE role, aim for internships or full-time roles in real estate investment banking, REITs, or real estate finance to build a strong foundation.

By combining technical preparation, strategic internships, and networking, you can position yourself effectively for a career in REPE.

Sources: What was your path to a Real Estate Private Equity job? Looking for advice, Which Fall 2020 MSRE program should I pursue to build towards a REPE or REIB career?, Career Advice: Family Office (RE Developer) --> MBA --> REPE, What internship will help set a junior year internship in Real Estate investments/REPE better: Fortune 50 or boutique IB?

I'm an AI bot trained on the most helpful WSO content across 17+ years.
 
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What are the best resources for studying technicals?

I used BIWS's real estate financial modeling course, but there are many good resources out there that will teach you the same stuff such as WSP, WSO probably has it's own set of courses.

Is it possible for me to get any meaningful experience this summer and how should I go about it?

If you have connections then try leaning on those, but if not you may want to try applying to real estate internships that are less competitive such as leasing, brokerage, appraisal, property management etc. Since you are only a freshman, I don't think it's that important that you get real estate experience now. Although it would be great if you could land an REPE or capital markets internship now, it probably won't be very likely. I think what's more important is that you get some type of internship, even if it's not related to real estate and perhaps rely on your school's real estate club to express your interest in real estate. 

How realistic is breaking into REPE straight out of undergrad - would I have to do RE banking or something similar first? 

Depends on what caliber of REPE you want to achieve. If your goal is to get into Blackstone straight out of undergrad, it's definitely possible, but highly improbable because Blackstone is incredibly difficult to get into anyways and is even more difficult without very relevant previous experience or internships. But if your goal is to just get into any real estate investing role out of undergrad, it's certainly possible.

Lastly, I don't think you should hone in on REPE and real estate so early. Rather, I think you should pursue IB and hopefully have the optionality to choose an offer that is in real estate. I'm not saying this to discourage you from pursuing real estate, but you might be jeopardizing your career and future by putting all your eggs into this one basket. Times have changed. It's very tough right now for real estate and things might not be all that much better 4 years from now especially if rates stay the same or go higher. Furthermore, real estate finance/REPE are subsectors within the finance vertical. The methodologies and thought process for valuing and assessing real estate investments vs companies is more or less the same. By pursuing banking and learning the technicals of valuing companies will also help you in your pursuit of real estate investing jobs, but it will also allow you to apply to other finance roles such as banking, AM, etc... if you are unable to land a job in RE. Your goal should be to cast a wide net. If you have the capacity, you may also want to throw consulting in there as well. You can always get an MSRE or MBA later in your career if you really love real estate, but i think to narrow your options so early is a mistake

 

As someone who has broken into REPE from undergrad.

Resources: A.CRE or Break into CRE are solid free YouTube channels to learn basic technicals. I believe Eastdil offers a free summer week-long course to teach you modeling. To set yourself up for success, if you learn basic monthly cash flow/waterfall modeling like it’s the back of
your hand you’ll be ahead of 90% of candidates.

Experience this summer: Yes, but doubt it’ll be for any super large institutional players. Working at a small local firm/developer or property management/Investment sales team is probably doable but will require a lot of networking.

REPE out of undergrad: Possible, but you need to be on top of your technicals/networking and keep your grades up (3.7+ is ideal).

Side note: Lot of kids chase REPE jobs because of the prestige but make sure you understand what you’re getting into. Tons of great ways to make a career out of RE, whether it be working in brokerage, banking, REITs, property management, or development. Make sure to stay open and learn as much as you can about what each path offers.

 

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