Underwriting Analyst to Development?

Interviewing for an underwriting analyst role with a multifamily lender. Debt side role involving analyzing, processing and packaging multifamily and commercial loans. I eventually want to go into development or acquisitions. Not sure if this role would really be a good step in the right direction for me.

I graduated undergrad about a year ago and currently work in back office for loan servicing at a boutique RE firm.

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Seems like a good step to me. Easier lateral to acquisitions than development, given that your value-add proposition to a new firm will likely be engineering specific financing structures for deals based on your experience in loan-world. It will be an Accretive experience nonetheless, and I don't see why you couldn't leverage your experience into development as well. Plenty of people on these forms make the jump to either from brokerage, loan sales, etc. so wouldn't worry too much about it.

 

Curious as to why you you'd think a UW role with a multifamily lender would translate better to acquisitions than development?

I feel Lending (if it's with a top bank/lifeco not some community bank) transitions better to development especially if you are are working on all different types of loans (acquisition and especially affordable housing and construction loans). I have always felt that Acquisitions roles are mainly scooped up by REIB or guys from top brokerage shops. Obviously there's exceptions with debt guys from say a top shop like WF transitioning and how well you network.

 

I hear this too, but what's the timeline you think? 5 years in the lending role and it begins to be tougher to transition to equity/development as opposed to transitioning 3 years out? Or is this further out in the 7 year mark?

I'm curious specifically for those in the relationship manager role. I'm sure if you're on the client facing side of the lending business it's a lot easier than if you're in an underwriter or credit role.

 

It involves a major relocation across the country, which I'm not sure about considering that its one property type and debt focused. I'm thinking of continuing to focus my search more on roles with developers because I've seen people do it early on in their career.

On the other hand, this same company has an acquisitions role, they're not looking to hire quite yet. They're early on in it compared to this one and I kind of want to hold out for that one. Would it be better to hold out for that one?

 
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