The steps to becoming a real estate analyst differ depending on the company, but most require at least a bachelor’s degree in finance with a real estate background. A real estate analyst’s main responsibilities include assessing risk and analyzing profit margins on real estate investments. Banks, investment firms, and property management firms are among the companies that employ this position. Because you may be required to research marketing trends and perform other tasks within the financial market, a background in finance is generally required to become a real estate analyst.
Prerequisites for finance coursework are typically based on math and statistics. Financial analysis for investors and lenders, introduction to investments, and business finance are some of the field-related courses you may need to take. These introductory courses may be able to help you prepare for more advanced coursework in real estate valuation, real estate investment analysis, and real estate finance. A finance and real estate degree program can prepare you for internships or part-time work in the field, which could lead to a career as a real estate analyst. You should also consider subscribing to field-related newsletters and magazines to keep up with market trends.
Internships are available from a variety of businesses in the field, including commercial and residential real estate firms, as well as banks. Intensive mentoring, on-the-job training sessions, and practice projects may all be included in some of these internships. You may have the opportunity to work directly with senior analysts on risk assessment research. Getting hands-on experience in the field can help you prepare for a career as a real estate analyst and build your resume. Internships typically last a semester, and some universities will accept internships as credit toward your degree.
There are lower-level positions in the field that can help you prepare to become a real estate analyst, in addition to school and training. Associate financial analyst, real estate agent, and property manager are all jobs you might want to apply for while in college. Depending on where you live, you might want to look into the licensing requirements for these jobs. You should begin looking for work on Internet job sites and in local classified ads once you have completed your degree program and gained experience in the field. Inquire about job opportunities at local banks, real estate agencies, and investment firms.