Program Overview
The CRE Fundamentals Program is designed to give students the technical foundation they need before stepping into more advanced, role-specific training.
You'll learn how commercial real estate properties generate income, how deals are underwritten and valued, how debt and equity are structured, and how investors evaluate risk and returns.
Whether you're preparing for an internship, recruiting for your first full-time role, or simply looking to build a stronger foundation in commercial real estate, this program is designed to help you understand the concepts you'll be expected to know.
By the end of the program, you'll be able to:
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Understand the major commercial real estate property types and how their economics differ
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Read and interpret a property-level pro forma
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Understand how revenue, expenses and NOI are calculated
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Calculate and interpret cap rates, yield on cost, IRR and equity multiple
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Understand how commercial real estate properties are valued
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Understand the CRE capital stack and the roles of debt and equity
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Compare common commercial real estate loan structures
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Evaluate the basic risk and return profile of an investment opportunity
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Communicate commercial real estate concepts with greater confidence in interviews and on the job
What You'll Learn
Learn by Doing
The program combines instruction with practical exercises designed to reinforce the concepts you're learning.
Property Pro Forma Exercises
Work through simplified pro formas to understand how different property types generate revenue, expenses,
and NOI.
Loan Comparison Exercises
Compare competing financing alternatives and evaluate how loan proceeds, pricing, and structure affect an investment.
Property Valuation Exercises
Evaluate a property using market assumptions and valuation techniques commonly used throughout the industry.
CRE Fundamentals Assessment
Test your ability to apply the major concepts covered throughout the program.
Video Lessons
Clear, practical instruction focused on the concepts you'll encounter throughout the industry.
Excel Exercises
Hands-on exercises that help you apply financial concepts rather than simply memorize them.
Real-World Examples
Examples across multiple property types designed to show how the concepts change from deal to deal.
Downloadable Resources
Templates, exercises, and reference materials you can revisit throughout the program.
Final Assessment
A comprehensive assessment covering the major concepts taught throughout the CRE Fundamentals program.
What's Included
The CRE Fundamentals Program is designed for:
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College students interested in commercial real estate
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Students preparing for internships or analyst recruiting
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Recent graduates entering the industry
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Professionals transitioning into commercial real estate
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Anyone who wants to build a stronger technical CRE foundation before beginning role-specific training
Who This Program is For