HFF Internship Advice

Interested in an internship after I graduate and while I complete the CRE cert for Cornell. Wondering where to start in terms of understanding what HFF does without a finance background (tech major). I understand what they do on a basic level, but reaching out to an alumni with plans to set up a call later this week. Wanted to be prepared in terms of understanding what they do in detail and getting a grasp of knowledge it seems a lot here know through their majors. Any advice welcome.

 

While they provide other services, focus on their investment sales and capital markets. Investment sales is helping owners buy or sell their property while creating a market and running to process to create this match. On the capital markets side, they place debt and equity, meaning they find borrowers ( clients) money (from bank, insurance company, debt fund etc.) to purchase, refinance, or develop their properties. Oftentimes, both of these departments work together and provide the client full service. This is super high level, pm me if you have any particular questions.

 

I'd just look for FT analyst positions after you graduate. I don't have a finance background but graduating with a BBA in computer information systems (with a RE finance course under my belt), and will be looking to go straight into an analyst position.

 
Most Helpful

I like to think of them as an investment bank in the CRE field. They serve as an intermediary between CRE owners and the debt/equity markets in addition provide brokerage services.

On the debt/equity side, they facilitate the marketing process with debt funds, banks, LifeCo companies, and CMBS funds to secure financing for CRE owners. This is always done in a competitive bidding process in order to secure the best options for their client.

In our firm we typically retain them for the following services:

  • Secure a loan - acquisitions, development, and refinancing

  • Ask for a BOV (Broker Opinion of Value) to weigh options on a sell

  • Investment sales - Market an asset for sale

 

Thank you for the clarification. For the first aspect (securing a loan) why would your firm choose an HFF vs going straight to the bank when you're dealing with $100 MM's. Do they get your better terms through relationships? If you could expand on more of the why that'd be great.

 

Ex voluptatem quia rerum beatae aut vel. Sint atque velit eum quia maxime sapiente voluptatem. Est dolor sed quasi dolorem et praesentium asperiores. Nesciunt et omnis consequatur. Dolorum esse unde qui autem corporis.

Hic rerum harum dolores sapiente porro distinctio. Architecto placeat eos et fugiat sequi aperiam. Consequatur vero ut inventore numquam.

Aut labore voluptas nemo aliquid totam ut. Voluptatem voluptas accusantium quia dolores occaecati. Praesentium modi sit omnis minus et. Maxime libero consequatur incidunt dolor repellat quis.

Career Advancement Opportunities

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Jefferies & Company 02 99.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 19 98.8%
  • Harris Williams & Co. New 98.3%
  • Lazard Freres 02 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 03 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Harris Williams & Co. 18 99.4%
  • JPMorgan Chase 10 98.8%
  • Lazard Freres 05 98.3%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.7%
  • William Blair 03 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Lazard Freres 01 99.4%
  • Jefferies & Company 02 98.8%
  • Goldman Sachs 17 98.3%
  • Moelis & Company 07 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 05 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Director/MD (5) $648
  • Vice President (19) $385
  • Associates (87) $260
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (14) $181
  • Intern/Summer Associate (33) $170
  • 2nd Year Analyst (66) $168
  • 1st Year Analyst (205) $159
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (146) $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
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
3
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
99.0
4
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
5
kanon's picture
kanon
98.9
6
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
7
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
8
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
9
numi's picture
numi
98.8
10
Kenny_Powers_CFA's picture
Kenny_Powers_CFA
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...”