Freelance real estate analyst

Hey guys i am currently pursuing my MSRE at DePaul with no work experience but an internship experience at a boutique REPE firm in Chicago. I wanted if any real estate analysts have gone down the freelance route, or rather consulting private investors with investment deals. Is their career as a full-time real estate analyst freelancer or consultant (helping with modeling, underwriting, deals) ? How much money can i make?

Any help is appreciated.

17 Comments
 

This seems interesting, seems like it would be great exposure to HNW clients. I'm an undergrad still so I don't know anything about this, but interested in learning if something like this exists.

My guess is that the pipeline of clients would be too empty, you're going to have a hard time finding work. The rich dude isn't out there buying 10 deals a year. He's only buying 1 deal every 5 years or so.

Plus, can't they just use a broker? He'll do it for free lol

 
"Ronclue" This seems interesting, seems like it would be great exposure to HNW clients. I'm an undergrad still so I don't know anything about this, but interested in learning if something like this exists.

My guess is that the pipeline of clients would be too empty, you're going to have a hard time finding work. The rich dude isn't out there buying 10 deals a year. He's only buying 1 deal every 5 years or so.

Plus, can't they just use a broker? He'll do it for free lol

The only thing a broker cares about is getting a deal done. This applies to most buyer’s brokers too. Although they are less biased towards a particular property.

 

I would contact satellite offices with a example of work product, a host of offerings and clear and defined pricing. Lenders (know from firsthand experience) use third party groups all the time. Usually these are established companies but I've seen one off people contracted for work. Specifically I saw a lady make several grand from writing a report I typically write in 2 days.

 

If you can do market research, you might have a shot. I wouldn't farm out my underwriting, but I regularly hire people to do market research for us - less for me personally, but for the lender.

Commercial Real Estate Developer
 

I have a friend who does this. Brokers and private investors ask him to compile underwriting and market research. He meets them at real estate events and just hands out his card. He says its super easy.

Go For Chambers
 

He does it outside of his normal analyst job so his hours are limited. I know he get like $600 for pulling comps. They're really paying for your access to CoStar and RCA.

Go For Chambers
 

Know several people that do this and I've done it previously as well on a very small scale on the side. One word of caution though is to know your state laws. Some states are more stringent on what you can and can't consult on as a 3rd party if you don't have the appropriate licensing.

ESPECIALLY anything having to do with tax.

"Who am I? I'm the guy that does his job. You must be the other guy."
 

I did this in college as my side hustle to buy groceries and pay for bar tabs. Check out upwork.com.

 

Laboriosam maxime ut tempora sapiente. Perspiciatis aut atque fuga culpa ullam saepe qui. Incidunt iure qui nihil ad quasi. Qui nesciunt velit sunt nisi eveniet sapiente consequuntur. Sed qui quia nisi suscipit ea ullam quas fugit. Voluptas dolores alias molestiae porro. Sed porro velit neque.

Minima rerum fugit ullam debitis rem consequatur est. Error accusamus natus voluptatem inventore est. A nobis sequi nam dolorum totam dolor ea. Blanditiis iste harum nostrum itaque. Neque voluptatum modi non est non ad fuga. Beatae aut excepturi omnis cum consequatur aliquam. Quis dolor quis eum corporis natus repudiandae sit. Est dolorum non incidunt velit.

Career Advancement Opportunities

October 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

October 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

October 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

October 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
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
4
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
5
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
6
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
7
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
8
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
9
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
10
numi's picture
numi
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...”