Is there more "old money" in real estate?

Is it just me or does it feel like there are more people in real estate at lower ranks who come from "upper middle class"+ backgrounds compared to the general financial services industry? 

I've pivoted from accounting where I would say most people come from modest "middle class" or below backgrounds. As a first generation college graduate, I do feel more at "ease" with people who come from more modest means. 

It's strange trying to relate to other analysts/associates talking about traveling to Europe with their parents or visiting the family's vacation home for a quick weekend trip. Interestingly enough, I feel like most senior people in the industry I've interacted with were the type that came up from modest means and feel more "comfortable" relating to them. Do these analysts/associates that come from these rich backgrounds just not climb the corporate ranks? I guess they just go into the family business or live off independent wealth after a while instead of climbing to managing director type roles? 

Anyone else have similar experiences? 

3 Comments
 
Most Helpful

I know this isn't the topic of the post but... there is a massive difference between having parents with generational wealth (eg have a big family business that can be passed down, living off parents inheritance) VS having parents who took you to Europe as a kid + have a home on some lake in South Carolina.

To answer your question, the higher you move up in "high finance", the more you will meet people from wealthy backgrounds. If you think there are a lot of wealthy kids at your RE firm, you should go hang out in a corporate PE fund office. Tons and tons of prep school kids with actual generational wealth. The "normal" / not rich crowd in corporate PE and IB is the type who grew up with a vacation home in South Carolina.

 

I know this isn't the topic of the post but... there is a massive difference between having parents with generational wealth (eg have a big family business that can be passed down, living off parents inheritance) VS having parents who took you to Europe as a kid + have a home on some lake in South Carolina.

To answer your question, the higher you move up in "high finance", the more you will meet people from wealthy backgrounds. If you think there are a lot of wealthy kids at your RE firm, you should go hang out in a corporate PE fund office. Tons and tons of prep school kids with actual generational wealth. The "normal" / not rich crowd in corporate PE and IB is the type who grew up with a vacation home in South Carolina.

Interesting. I guess coming from a first generation college graduate / accounting background skewed my perspective. I've never really rubbed elbows with the hedge fund / PE types.

 

Aut impedit et esse laudantium veniam porro natus mollitia. Molestiae eum voluptatem ut veniam nihil maiores eligendi perferendis.

Aliquam aliquam neque autem nostrum et quae at. Magnam accusamus qui eum saepe. Voluptas id dolor vel quas odio rem dolores.

Beatae assumenda incidunt commodi porro quia non. Libero est nihil sed fuga molestias omnis vero vitae. Aliquam esse odit incidunt quae.

Career Advancement Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.3%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.7%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 98.8%
  • Evercore 01 98.3%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.7%
  • Banco Santander 01 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 98.3%
  • JPMorgan 01 97.7%
  • Goldman Sachs 02 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (14) $434
  • Associates (44) $258
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (13) $156
  • 1st Year Analyst (79) $150
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (73) $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
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
3
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
4
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
5
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
6
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
7
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
8
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
9
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
10
bolo up's picture
bolo up
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...”