Finance and Investments in Real Estate

This course introduces students to the major concepts, principles, analytical methods, and tools used for making investment decisions regarding commercial real estate assets. The course covers "micro-level" analysis that pertains to individual properties and deals, as well as "macro-level" analysis that involves overall portfolio and investment management considerations. The perspective is that of institutional investors which are investing in large-scale commercial properties. These include banks, life insurance companies, pension funds, and REITs, among others. The course seeks to integrate the views of "Wall Street" (the mainstream securities and corporate investment establishment) and "Main Street" (the local, traditional real estate business community), all within the framework of modern financial theory.