Real Estate Positions Entry/Little Experience

Can anyone help me understand the different positions for people with 1-3 years of experience in real estate: specifically in REIT'S, commercial banking, property holding companies. Also what is the difficulty of getting into each sector?

I am thinking of exit opportunities from brokerage. I realize that I do not want to be on the sell side anymore and prefer other positions.

 

The only positions that exist on the buyside are analyst gigs. Your best bet is to find a firm that just lost an experienced analyst, allowing you to come in and hit the ground running. Otherwise, you may be viewed as too old/too qualified.

However, making this transition will mean you are still starting from the bottom, and will have to earn your stripes as an analyst. I made a similar transition as you to an REPE firm earlier this year, and although I have received very positive feedback from my superiors, It will still be another year before I can move up to associate. You'll be expected to put up with the late nights, face time, data research, mundane tasks that come with an analyst role, so just keep that in mind before making your transition. Make your decision fast though, it's better to make the move early.

 
Best Response

The typical route that brokerage analysts take, assuming they want to exit, is 1-3 years in brokerage -> investment company (equity fund), REITs, Life Cos real estate investment division, maybe development. I am sure you know this by now though having worked at a brokerage shop for a few years...

Commercial banking - probably wouldn't be too hard getting into a balance sheet lending group at a bank as you have the underwriting experience and real estate knowledge. Just about networking and showing sincere interest. Probably better odds if your were on a DCM team, not really sure.

 

What kind of brokerage? All of the partners of local/regional developers in my market came from leasing backgrounds. I think they like that you not only are a market expert and can dig up deals and build a network, but that you are willing to take risk and live without a paycheck for a while. Not sure how it works in other markets though. Just something to think about in case you can't find opps at the places you mentioned or happen to be interested in development.

 
ThatGuy111:
What kind of brokerage? All of the partners of local/regional developers in my market came from leasing backgrounds. I think they like that you not only are a market expert and can dig up deals and build a network, but that you are willing to take risk and live without a paycheck for a while. Not sure how it works in other markets though. Just something to think about in case you can't find opps at the places you mentioned or happen to be interested in development.

Investment Sales Broker, not sure developer is the route for me. There's too many moving parts to deal with and having spoken to a few I don't think I'd enjoy it as much. I think one of the above listed would be more interesting for me. Analyst position might be the route from my line of thinking and I can always branch out after a few years.

 

I did an internship with CBRE back in university. I think I applied through the website. The other intern I worked with got the job through networking. So, part of it is luck, but if you really want a job then try to talk to the people in the industry. A lot of people have their profiles on the websites. So if you want to work at CBRE in the commercial property brokerage team you can see who the lead person is in the office you want to work at and email them for an informational interview.

This will be harder in banking because VP/MDs don't typically have their details online.

 

Why are you looking to make a move already? Given you went to a non-target and you have a low GPA, I'd recommend that you stay where you are for another year assuming you are picking up some valuable RE-related experience. I think after another year or two you would be in a good position to look elsewhere. In the meantime, consider a RE masters, join ULI, network, consider getting argus certified, etc. Just my two cents.

 

Get some courses of real estate appraisal, which later will help you with your future clients, it helps as well to understand what is the real meaning of value (price) of the real estate. The real estate (as any goods) is purchased and sold, because it has it's value, that was formed in certain conditions... The value (price) of something created in very simple way, if it in demand, it can be sold

 

In all of the divisions in real estate they hire "real estate analyst." It can turn into a very profitable career. Look at Debartolo Development. They have people in upper management that don't even have college degrees! Real estate development, if you are a team builder and good with numbers can be extremely lucrative career wether you work for someone else or start your own gig.

You see a mouse trap, and I see free cheese and a challenge
 

You wasted four years in college if you want to do residential brokerage.

When a plumber from Hoboken tells you he has a good feeling about a reverse iron condor spread on the Japanese Yen, you really have no choice. If you don’t do it to him, somebody else surely will. -Eddie B.
 

Haha, I agree. No offense to anyone reading this if they went the residential route but I have no interest in doing this. I have friends doing it as well as a family member and it is incredibly hit or miss for them.

 

I would try to either get into a BB bank's CRE group, brokerage with CBRE, JLL, HFF, C&W (I am a real estate investment banking analyst on the debt brokerage side), or work for a REIT/Developer. If I had to choose another side of the industry, I would want to work for one of the top CMBS finance groups or on the PE side for a company such as Blackstone/BlackRock.

Don't go residential - you can easily do this later. CRE high finance will give you outstanding "top-down" skills.

 

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