Top Shelf® Academy Real Estate Financial Modeling Courses

Real estate financial models are tools for projecting the cash flows of a potential investment. The cash flow projections alone are not enough to analyze a potential investment. This module will cover how to summarize the outputs of a model to form the basis of an analysis by discussing key m … Level Two covers more complex concepts in real estate financial modeling including advanced time value of money, formula-based interest-only/ amortizing payment switch, and residual land value calculations. Topics may cover acquisition, development, leasing, operations, and market trends. Before getting into the specifics of why I took the certification, let me provide a quick overview of the program for those who are unfamiliar.

Joint Ventures & Waterfalls

Our Real Estate Financial Modeling Course also includes very detailed and advanced cash flow waterfall modeling between General Partners (GPs) and Limited Partners (LPs). They can achieve the returns by clearing Internal Rate of Return (IRR) hurdle rates that increase their percentage of cash flow distribution. This module will cover cash flow builds for multifamily and commercial property types. We will build the foundations of revenues and expenses and finish with a discussion on the importance of net operating income. Everything you need to build and interpret real estate finance models.

Next time you have an open weekend, take the time get REFM Excel for Real Estate Certified. In business, the saying “Innovate or Die” is all the more important in this day and age. In the workforce, differentiate or starve is equally as applicable. Business Analytics consists of approximately 40 hours of material delivered over an eight-week period. You can complete the coursework on your own time while meeting regular deadlines.

This module will serve as a primer on real estate debt, covering everything from different ways to finance an acquisition, to key terms in loan documents and how to model an … BIWS is what I used to get my feet wet a few years ago and I found that immensely useful. Your time might be better spent just getting some OMs and trying it out for yourself etc. Watching all the video and completing the exercises will take approximately 3 to 5 hours, depending on the individual. Up to this point, the course has been focused on buying property.

A girl I know from school got REFM certified and she said that she used a lot of the things she learned in her interviews. Although she did not mention the certification actually “meaning” anything, but it basically just proves that you went through the course I guess. She also got a job offer at a highly regarded real estate firm as an analyst so I’m actually considering the course too. As simple as this was, I was stoked to learn this in the CCIM class.

Employees at Real Estate Financial Modeling

At the time of its development, the certification was – and still is – the only program of its kind. Our Real Estate Financial Modeling Course also includes very detailed and advanced cash flow waterfall modeling between General Partners and Limited Partners . Such an approach to modeling cash flows allows some partners in the project to earn disproportionate returns relative to other partners. They can achieve the returns by clearing Internal Rate of Return hurdle rates that increase their percentage of cash flow distribution. Our real estate financial modeling course is designed to teach you how to build a development model in Excel from the ground up.

Harvard Business School Online Certificate in Business Analytics

I believe that will give you some modeling fundamentals and basics. Oh and I believe ULI have some classes too but I have not looked at that in depth yet. I believe BIWS have one Real Estate Finance specific course for a couple hundred bucks. Our approach to help you learn is to isolate individual techniques and tie them to real world applications. Examples are given and then exercises are given for you to complete.

I took the REFM level three class and found it fairly worthless. It doesn’t cost much though so maybe it worth it if you know nothing. Learners are eligible to earn Wall Street Prep’s globally recognized Real Estate Financial Modeling Certification. The certification is earned by successfully completing the final exam from the program’s 7 individual courses. These online assessments can be taken any time after enrollment in the program.

The tests are available online and can be taken at anytime. You must score a 70% or above to pass, while an 85%+ passes with distinction. It was a simple program, I never got a job interview response when I had ARGUS on my resume. Honestly an Excel pro could do the same thing and customize it to their organization. I’m also a recent grad without experience looking for a job in CRE. I’ve applied to over 40 entry level positions for categories like valuation, consulting, portfolio management, acquisitions, and refm certification other investment side positions.

CRE Analyst

Solutions are in the Excel, and are reviewed on the video. Private equity investment revolves around identifying and mitigating risks within complicated investment opportunities. Where all the courses out there so far seem to fall short is in teaching you how to model your standard value add deal. Yes, you’re modeling a 30 unit value add deal with rehab, vacancy, lease up etc. CCIM, I wouldn’t think they would be cutting edge on modeling .

  • Also, see our financial modeling resources and commercial real estate resources.
  • Holding each subsequent Level of REFM Certification further validates one’s skills and demonstrates their seriousness about being an expert-level modeler.
  • Where applicable, deal-level levered cash flows are kept constant to allow for comparative analysis across JV structures.
  • Private equity investment revolves around identifying and mitigating risks within complicated investment opportunities.

Real Estate Financial Modeling Package Highlights

Choose from our standard full-day training agendas, or build a custom agenda over topics pertinent to your day-to-day operations. If you haven’t noticed, breaking into the coveted acquisitions, development, and asset management jobs at top CRE companies and private equity firms is tough. These positions often get thousands of applicants, many of whom graduated from better schools and have worked at more impressive companies than you have. CCIM is also a big professional affiliation where you can drop $600/year for membership, but I think this is mostly for networking ops for brokers. So if you are not a broker I don’t see the point really in being a ‘member’. But their courses seem legit in terms of modeling/finance education.

Real Estate Finance Certification Exam

REFM’s educational training is offered through digital self study products and live training. REFM also provides private financial modeling consulting and auditing services.Based in Atlanta, REFM was founded by Bruce Kirsch in 2009. Mr. Kirsch is a recognized expert in and top instructor of Microsoft Excel-based financial modeling for real estate transactions.

  • As simple as this was, I was stoked to learn this in the CCIM class.
  • They are specifically designed to accommodate changes in key assumptions, such as land acquisition cost, interest rates, building materials, labor, absorption rates, sales prices, market expenses, permitting, and much more.
  • But continuous learning in life is essential – essential to success in business as well as essential to success in life in general.

Online degrees are relatively new in higher education, and still evolving. You’ve heard it a thousands times but it deserves repeating. It’s a hard thing for those of us who spent 6-8 years in the classroom only to enter the real-world and be told, your learning has only just begun! But continuous learning in life is essential – essential to success in business as well as essential to success in life in general. Watching all the video and completing the exercises will take approximately 4 to 6 hours, depending on the individual. Level 3 Certification tests the ability to model complex partnerships and waterfall distributions.

refm certification

ARGUS enables analysts and managers to value and manage the performance of real estate assets. With in-depth insights into real estate portfolios, ARGUS helps users make smart decisions quickly and efficiently. REFAI stands for Real Estate Finance and Investment certification. To find out more about finance careers, check out our interactive Career Map. Also, see our financial modeling resources and commercial real estate resources. Level Three tests the professionals ability to model complex partnership structures, including waterfall distribution models with a preferred return and multiple promote IRR hurdles.