The real estate finance degree is not intended for everyone. Those with bachelor’s degrees in business management, economics, accounting, law or other related subjects will have an advantage over those with no background in this field. Those who are considering a career in this field should check out their current majors to determine whether it would be a good fit.
In order to get into a program designed to teach the real estate finance degree, students must first have a good grasp of the basics of finance. They must also be able to work with financial software. The real estate finance degree coursework will generally cover how to create a budget, analyze market data and analyze income statements. They will also study the financial statements of various real properties. A good accountant or financial planner will also provide financial information to the student, along with advice on which financial plan is best for them to follow.
Real estate financing can be done through a combination of various techniques including mortgage loans, home equity lines of credit and cash out loans. A student who want to understand the various types of mortgages and how they operate is strongly recommended to take this course. An accountant who is familiar with loans for commercial properties may also find interest in this field. Those interested in creating an individual plan for their own use will need to take this course. A realtor may find this course very useful because it covers how to make and market a home and the steps involved in obtaining financing.
Those who want to get into the field of real estate financing and who wish to specialize in a specific area will benefit greatly from taking the course. For example, those who want to deal with mortgage loans and home equity lines of credit will have more time to study specific areas of real estate and develop their own techniques. Those interested in developing commercial real estate loans may want to study that area separately, rather than taking the full course.
In addition to the coursework in real estate finance, a student must also do some internship or fieldwork to prepare for the degree. This can be done by working as an intern for an office in a real estate agency or buying an investment property in a developmentally challenged area. Fieldwork may also include some work in the private sector such as with a bank, government agency or consulting firm. Many private firms require their interns to perform research for their clients. In fact, many large banks, especially private lenders, do require all their interns to complete the same amount of coursework as the degree program.
The real estate finance degree programs will also involve an introduction to accounting principles and bookkeeping practices. Students should know how to prepare tax returns and use accounting software. Financial statements, loan processing, loan documentation and mortgage programs are all covered. Students can expect to have experience with real property records such as the real estate transfer deed and mortgage documents, title and contract information and title insurance.
In order to finish the real estate finance degree and become a licensed real estate professional, students must pass an exam sponsored by the National Association of Schools of Real Estate (NASS). At the end of the program, graduates can get a certificate and license. There are also certain prerequisites for licensure and licenses that must be met before being licensed. However, anyone who completes the degree program can work as a licensed real estate broker or salesperson. With the certification and licenses, real estate brokers can enter into the industry and begin promoting homes for sale or rent.