Real Estate Seminars

Please note that these classes are offered for educational purposes only and are not valid for University credit.

Seminars:

 

Fundamentals of Commercial Real Estate Finance (6 Hours)
This seminar will focus on the two sources of funding Real Estate projects: Debt and Equity. Topics of discussion will include sources of equity, sources of debt, transaction structuring, and lending arrangements.

  1. Sources of Funds
    Equity sources, partnerships, syndications, mezzanine financing
    Debt Sources, Banks, Institutional Investors, Security Instruments

  2. Types of Loans
    Recourse / Non-recourse, 3/5/7 year, Interest only vs. Amortized

  3. Loan Programs

  4. Qualification Standards
    LTV, DCR General Credit Issues

  5. The Closing Process and understanding Loan Docs
    Title Reports, Assignment of Rents, Agreement to provide Insurance, Guarantees, Mortgage Document and Recording

  6. Nature and Cycles of Real Estate Finance

  7. General Investment Strategies and Evaluation of Financial Decisions
    OPM, Leverage, Cash Flow, IRR, COC ret. Cross collateralization

  8. Impact of the Federal Reserve Policy on Lending

  9. Current Issues in Real Estate Finance
    Subprime Credit Impact on lending standards, Foreclosures, Stock market returns vs. Real Estate investment

 

Commercial Real Estate Investment Analysis (6 Hours)
This seminar will explore the various elements of evaluating a Commercial Real Estate Investment. Participants will experience the steps that must be followed to avoid the potential obstacles investors may encounter during a real estate transaction or ownership of an income producing property.

  1. Finding an asset
    Sources for locating properties, Broker utilization, Internet, Networking

  2. Physical Building Analysis
    Physical Concerns, Roof, Mechanical, Environmental, Parking ratio, Structural Integrity, Zoning Issues, Condemnation and neighboring uses.

  3. Financial Analysis
    Income and Expense analysis, Budgeting, Reserve Accounts, Cap Rates and Appreciation, Highest and Best Use.

  4. Issues affecting Buying Decisions
    Returns Available Elsewhere, Tax Strategies 1031, depreciation

  5. Issues Affecting Selling Decisions
    Reasons to sell or not, Expenses associated with disposition, estate planning, Tax consequences

  6. Capital Markets
    Local Banks, Wall Street, Private investors, Investor Qualification

 

Fundamentals of Commercial Real Estate Development (6 Hours)
This Seminar will outline, start to finish, the Commercial development process. Participants will define the objectives of the Developer and work through municipal needs and requirements. Case studies will be offered for four different development types, Industrial, Retail, office and mixed use.

  1. Overview of the development process
    Why do it? Locating Properties, Determining need through demographics and Market analysis, other research and due diligence.

  2. Development Strategies
    Defining needs, community design issues, zoning issues, traffic impact, job creation, area growth trends, impact of baby boomers on regional growth trends, net Municipal Revenue Positive vs. Negative projects, Infrastructure Analysis.

  3. Project Analysis
    Site Design analysis criteria and impact on the surrounding area, (local, regional)
    Financial Analysis, Cost, Interest Carry and disposition plan. Discussion of potential downside and risks vs. rewards.

  4. Urban Redevelopment vs. Suburban Issues
    Infill and gentrification, adaptive reuse, Infrastructure needs (schools, roads, water and sewer, power, airports, rail, etc.) Suburban sprawl, stormwater management issues

  5. Sociological Issues and the impact of development on the neighborhood
    Affordable housing, subsidized housing, elderly concerns, open space,
    Transportation needs.

 

Management of Commercial Property (6 Hours)
This seminar will help the participant understand the role and functions of the commercial Property Manager. Definition of the objectives of the Property Manager will be discussed, and physical and economic concerns will be addressed during the class.

  1. Function of the Commercial Property Manager
    Revenue Maximization, Liability elimination and reduction, Income vs. Expenses, Maintenance and property inspection, Tenant compliance with leases, interaction with the public and concerns therein.

  2. Types of Commercial Properties and differing management concerns
    Office Buildings vs. Retail vs. Industrial, Security Issues, Holiday Shopping, differing signage requirements, Truck Traffic issues, Use clauses.

  3. Project Budgeting
    Line item budget review – Income from Rent, Cam, Tax, Insurance reimbursement and alternative sources. Lease up projections and Tenant Retention, Tenant Improvement Concerns. Expenses by vendor analysis and projections.

  4. Negotiating with vendors and tenants
    Goals and objectives with vendors. Price vs. quality. Goals and Objectives with Tenants, Mutual Goals, retention issues, compromise vs. confrontation.

  5. Commercial Lease Language and its impact on Property Management
    Components of a Lease. Parking concerns, window signage, percentage rent, hazardous materials and their effect on a project, holdover, showing spaces for rent while occupied. Access Issues and Building Security.

 

Marketing Commercial Real Estate (6 Hours)
Whether Leasing or selling a Commercial Property, it is imperative that your target audience know of the availability. This seminar will address the methods utilized to Market Commercial Properties by Commercial Brokers and the impact of the Internet on Real Estate Marketing efforts.

  1. When is the best time to sell?
    Ownership goals and concerns vs. economic climate.

  2. Different target audiences for different uses
    ICSC for Retail, Industrial Trade Groups and Co-star for Office Space. Loopnet, Zillow, HotPads, and other Web Venues for sending your marketing message.

  3. Case Studies of Marketing Strategies that have worked for different property types
    How to increase awareness of a select product

  4. So you have a prospective Tenant – Now What?
    Negotiating a Lease, Gross vs. Net, the advantages of each, Credit concerns with Tenants.

 

Legal Aspects of Commercial Real Estate (6 Hours)
The Law has a direct impact on nearly every aspect of commercial Real Estate. From Acquisition to Zoning to Construction, There are legal concerns every step of the way. This Seminar will address the nature of contract law and the impact that it has on transactions and decision making.

  1. General Overview of Real Estate Law
    History, Ownership, Easements, Zoning,

  2. Elements of a land purchase contract
    Legal concerns related to intended use and development parameters

  3. Environmental Concerns and the law
    Chain of title and potential liability

  4. Anatomy of a Commercial Lease Agreement
    Different leases for different types of user. Important clauses for each type of use.

  5. Listing and Marketing Agreements
    Legal Requirements and State Licensing for Brokers, Leasing Agents, Property Managers

  6. Using the Law to reduce Liability and Exposure
    How to protect yourself and your assets from potential litigation. What type of Ownership Entity is best to accomplish your Goals (LLC, Partnership, REIT, TIC, etc.)

 

Appraisal of Commercial Real Estate (6 Hours)
Instrumental in the field of Real Estate Development is the valuation of properties. Students familiar with methodologies used to evaluate property will have a better understanding of how to increase the value of their projects. This seminar will focus on the three most common methods used to appraise property, and detailed examples of each will be reviewed.

  1. Preparation of a market analysis
    How to gather relevant facts about a property and its’ surrounding market.

  2. Project Feasibility and due diligence
    Reviewing operating History, Pro-forma examination, scrutinizing cost and budget figures and project lease up schedules.

  3. Acquiring Market Data
    Reviewing surrounding properties, verifying assessed valuation and zoning concerns. Sources used for obtaining information will also be discussed.

  4. The Construction Cost Method
    Appraisal of existing and proposed projects using the land basis plus the estimated Construction Costs. New Construction and Replacement cost issues will be covered.

  5. The Comparable Property Approach
    How to evaluate a property based on similar properties that have been sold in the same real Estate market. Also covered is how to adjust the Comp for variances in amenities and features.

  6. The Income Approach to Property Valuation
    In this section the participant will learn how to value a property based on the cash flow generated by the asset. We will also discuss how to improve cash flow through repositioning the property in the market, lease up, and expense reduction.

  7. Decision Making Issues
    The attendees will review factors influencing decisions pertinent to Real Estate Development with regard to property valuation.

 

Real Estate Development and Community Design Principles (6 Hours)
The concept of highest and best use is critical to the Real Estate Developer. Site limitations and municipal restrictions combine to force creative solutions from the design team that must be economically viable. In this seminar, participants will review case studies and create development concepts for sites which adhere to the restrictions and limitations. Industrial, Office, Retail, and mixed use projects will be covered.

  1. Site Characteristic analysis
    How to read surveys and determine site feasibility by what surrounds a site.

  2. Zoning analysis and municipal restraints
    Interpreting municipal zoning codes, future land use maps, variances and building envelopes. Defining parking ratios, dealing with Architectural review committees.

  3. Stormwater detention
    Addressing the hot button of site runoff. Design options, green space.

  4. Designing Different property types
    Factors critical to the design of Retail, Industrial, and Office properties. What works for one type of project does not necessarily work for another. Signage, Parking, Truck Traffic, accessibility, and a host of other concerns and their impact on a project.