Real Estate - Buy Side vs. Sell Side

Hey WSO,

1) Can someone give me a basic description of what Buy Side vs. Sell Side analysts do in real estate? I'm assuming buy side is PE firms working with developers and investment funds to "buy" properties and turn them over? Is sell side, mainly Investment sales, mortgage banking, and brokerage?

2 ) Are there any good resources to clarify the real estate finance industries?

3) Where do companies like HFF & Eastdil fit in the equation? (I'm assuming advisory and arranging financing for large developments?)

Thanks for all the clarification.