Freelance CRE Analyst Services on the rise?

Wanted to get a forum started to discuss sites such asBullpenRE as I haven't seen anything posted on here yet. If you're not familiar with the service (or similar services), it's an online platform that connects real estate analysts with investment/development firms who outsource their investment analysis needs rather than hire a full time analyst.

I haven't used the platform personally, but know a couple analysts and investment firms who have, and here's some of the key takeaways:

  1. Average rate that analysts charge is $100 - $200 per hour.
  2. Analysts have their own models that they use
  3. I've heard of some firms asking analysts to pull CoStar reports and such, which didn't seem to make sense because what freelancer pays for a CoStar subscription
  4. Investment/Development firms really just need the investment modeling that they can turn around and plug in to their OM, but might go through a few iterations for scenario analysis purposes. They'll likely not use this type of service for their back of the envelope calculations, but only for the full DCF they need to present to investors

As teams run pretty lean (I’d imagine even leaner given the uncertainty surrounding COVID), wondering what some of y'all think of smaller shops using this service? If you only really “need” an analyst for the in depth financial modeling, could see a benefit, but just wondering if anybody has experience/thoughts on this.

Given that we have a good mix of of users on here, thought we might have a diverse perspective from both sides.

6 Comments
 

I have not heard of this service, but cannot imagine there would be too many people looking to hire off the street for any important work. If you did good work, maybe they would consider increasing the complexity of work they distribute to you, but I cannot imagine any responsible firms trusting random freelancers with anything more than simple data entry or the like at first. In my experience at a small less than 5 person PE firm, we outsourced only the simplest tasks to a team of assistants in the Philippines. We also hired former coworkers looking for extra cash to do any freelance work because we knew we could trust them.

 

Thanks for the input. I know that for Bullpen, at least, they do interview the analysts that are admitted to the "analyst bullpen", so companies do have some sense of comfort that the analyst they hire have the technical skills

However, I can certainly see that being the case with more sophisticated shops. They'd rather hire an analyst to work on their deals only, and someone they personally feel comfortable with. Using former coworkers for freelance assignments is obviously the preferred method in this scenario Appreciate the response.

 
Most Helpful

It is interesting to see a site like this existing, makes sense that some would have a need. In reality, this has been done on ad hoc basis for years. Argus modelers have operated like this frequently given the specialized nature of the software and its cost.

From the hiring firm perspective, I'd really want to know I could trust the person. Not only on skill and accuracy but also confidentiality. I've done consulting work where third party consultant analysts have also been hired by the client, they were usually people known and closely trusted.

I've heard of former interns doing moonlight work for extra money, so it's probably more common than we all realize.

Anyone on here ever worked like this?

 

Ducimus inventore et aperiam. Quia aliquam voluptatibus quam in aspernatur voluptatem odio. Corporis et incidunt reprehenderit quia.

Sint iure vel aut nulla quisquam consequatur. In voluptate distinctio earum corrupti assumenda. Tempore odio quibusdam quam atque. Qui odit voluptatem qui esse. Omnis explicabo magni officiis amet maiores dolor omnis unde.

Ducimus eius numquam molestiae sint aspernatur ad enim at. Ratione unde molestiae dolor aliquam. Voluptatem non sint voluptatem voluptate. Nisi nemo inventore magni possimus consectetur. Sed voluptas itaque doloremque est rerum distinctio dolorem sint. Eos ipsam sequi nobis reprehenderit accusamus ea occaecati.

Sequi neque inventore enim voluptas. Aut et aperiam fuga quis animi sed qui. Esse illo tempora magni ut. Occaecati sunt dolor quia reprehenderit cum.

Career Advancement Opportunities

November 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 99.0%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.4%
  • Guggenheim Partners 02 97.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 97.4%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

November 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.5%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 99.0%
  • Evercore 01 98.4%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.9%
  • BMO Capital Markets 13 97.4%

Professional Growth Opportunities

November 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 99.0%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.9%
  • JPMorgan No 97.4%

Total Avg Compensation

November 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (57) $264
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (28) $184
  • Intern/Summer Associate (16) $161
  • 1st Year Analyst (84) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (76) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
5
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
6
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
7
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
8
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
9
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
10
Mimbs's picture
Mimbs
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”