6 Best Commercial Real Estate Investing Education Courses (2024 Reviews) (2024)

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COMPANIES

Real Estate Bees’ editorial team asked a number of industry-leading real estate investors to share their expertise on the best commercial real estate investing courses to help our readers make a more informed decision when choosing a service provider for their needs.

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COMPANY

CCIM Institute's CI 101 (Financial Analysis for Commercial Investment Real Estate)

CI 101 is a foundational course designed specifically for real estate professionals seeking to enhance their understanding of commercial real estate investing.

This comprehensive commercial real estate investment course covers essential aspects of analyzing the market, emphasizing risk management, accurate pricing, and predicting economic cycles.

In this course, participants are introduced to the CCIM Cash Flow Model, a valuable tool that ensures investment decisions are grounded in sound financial principles.

They will learn about critical financial concepts such as Internal Rate of Return (IRR), Net Present Value (NPV), Cap Rate, Capital Accumulation, and Annual Growth Rate of Capital.

This course is part of the curriculum (CCIM 101-104) required to earn the Certified Commercial Investment Member (CCIM) designation.

Who Are the Instructors?

Some instructors for the CCIM course include:

Lydia Bennett, CCIM

Lydia Bennett is the owner of CRE West Coast, Inc., a company that provides transactional brokerage and consulting advisory services to commercial real estate professionals.

She also serves as an International Senior Instructor for CCIM Institute, providing invaluable education in financial analysis, user analysis, and negotiations to national and international audiences.

She extends her expertise as a corporate trainer in commercial real estate practices and is a respected speaker at global conferences in the field.

Todd Kuhlmann, CCIM

Todd Kuhlmann is the CEO and Founder of CRE Tech, Inc. and also leads the team responsible for creating TheAnalyst PRO analysis platform for commercial real estate practitioners.

As a commercial real estate professional with 26 years of experience, Kuhlmann has worked for companies like KW and has been involved in many aspects of the industry.

Jeff Engelstad, Ph.D., CCIM

Jeff Engelstad is a clinical professor at the Burns School of Real Estate and Construction Management at the Daniels College of Business.

He has been actively engaged in commercial and investment real estate since 1980.

With a robust academic background, he has published articles on real estate finance, investment, and feasibility analysis.

Engelstad is a recipient of various professional awards, holds director roles in real estate associations, and remains involved in investment, consulting, and expert witness testimony.

Mark Cypert, CCIM

Mark Cypert is the current Chief Research Advisor at Encore Enterprises, a commercial real estate investment company with over 1,000 employees.

With a rich career spanning diverse roles, he has been a partner in multiple real estate private equity firms and commercial real estate joint venture investments across the United States.

Cypert is also an award-winning senior instructor at the CCIM Institute, specializing in commercial property market analysis.

His extensive background includes leadership positions in firms like Cawley Partners and CRT Properties, as well as asset management services and acquisitions for Aetna Realty Investors.

Each of these instructors brings extensive knowledge and experience in the field of commercial real estate investing education.

What Will You Learn?

In this commercial real estate investing training course, participants will acquire a comprehensive skill set, including the ability to:

1. Make well-informed investment decisions by harnessing the power of the CCIM Cash Flow Model.
2. Learn about the tax benefits of real estate investing. Assess and understand the impact of federal taxation and financial leverage on cash flow, covering the entire spectrum from acquisition to ownership and disposition in real estate investment.
3. Master the use of commercial real estate investment analysis software to quantitatively evaluate investment returns.

Students will be provided with templates and workbooks, including:

• CCIM Excel-based financial calculator
• Discounted Cash Flow Analysis Excel workbook
• CCIM business forms
• 10-year analysis workbook
• 5-year analysis workbook

The course can be taken online or offline. Each week of taking the online course corresponds to a day of an in-class session.

The online course runs for five weeks with twice-weekly live virtual classroom sessions.

Virtual classrooms run for 75 minutes each and include course content review, a question and answer session, and practical discussions.

On completing the course, students are required to take a final exam online within 7 days of the final virtual session.

Pricing

This commercial real estate investing course is priced at $1,735 for non-members, $1,200 for CCIM Institute members, and $1,460 for National Association of Realtors (NAR) members.

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COMPANY

The Commercial Real Estate Investing Home Study Course

The Commercial Real Estate Investing Home Study Course from CRE University offers a comprehensive online learning experience for those seeking to establish a solid foundation in commercial real estate investing.

This commercial real estate investing course spans a wide array of topics, providing insights into property types, market analysis, financial analysis, and deal structuring.

It offers a combination of video and audio lectures, written materials, and financial worksheets to help students learn and apply the concepts taught.

Who Are the Instructors?

Frank Rolfe and Dave Reynolds are the instructors. They are accomplished real estate investors and leading experts in mobile home parks, RV parks, storage facilities, and outdoor billboard investing.

With over 30 years’ experience in commercial real estate investing, Frank Rolfe has owned and operated hundreds of mobile home parks.

He is currently the fifth-largest owner of mobile home parks in the US alongside his partner, Dave Reynolds.

Together, they manage over 2,750 mobile home parks in 25 states, with a combined portfolio valued at over $700,000,000.

Dave Reynolds, with nearly 30 years’ experience in various forms of commercial real estate, co-owns Mobile Home University with Frank, a three-day intensive course taught once a month in specific locations across the US.

He also runs MobileHomeParkStore.com, a website for listing mobile home parks for sale, receiving over 60,000 visits per month.

Leveraging their extensive real-life experience, Rolfe and Reynolds have trained hundreds of investors on the intricacies of buying and operating mobile home parks.

What Will You Learn?

In this comprehensive commercial real estate investing course, participants will gain an understanding of various key aspects of commercial real estate investing, including:

• Strategies to swiftly find hot properties for purchase, based on 7 effective methods
• Evaluation of a property’s value, covering essential concepts like CAP rate and its significance, along with crucial insights to avoid potential financial losses
• Successful negotiation tactics from the buyer’s perspective, including a unique strategy often overlooked by investors
• Techniques to salvage deals when faced with challenges and how to recognize when renegotiation may not be the solution
• Insights into financing options, including the 4 types of financing available and how to leverage them to your advantage
• The 11 critical elements of every loan
• The importance of budgeting and how it provides valuable insights into a business’s financial health
• Exploring the concept of turnaround and its significance, along with the 6 fundamental components of a turnaround property to maximize revenue and minimize expenses
• Operating a property for consistent cash flow as an alternative to “flipping” for quick paydays
• Strategies for selling your property to maximize your gains, including a crash course in negotiation tactics from the seller’s perspective

Students will also receive a commercial real estate investing file library that includes automated Excel worksheets, due diligence worksheets, and a commercial real estate purchase contract.

Pricing

The Commercial Real Estate Investing Home Study course is priced at $597.

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COMPANY

Commercial Real Estate Investing 101 Udemy Course

This course is designed to help students transform from beginners into well-rounded professionals in commercial real estate investing.

It equips students with the foundational knowledge needed to analyze, acquire, and manage commercial real estate properties by using cutting-edge industry techniques and tools for real estate investors.

With graduate-level content drawn from leading MBA and Master’s in real estate programs worldwide, this course applies theory to practical, real-world scenarios within the commercial real estate industry.

Who Is the Instructor?

Justin Kivel is a highly experienced real estate investment consultant, investor, and educator. He is the founder of Break Into CRE, a prominent online resource for real estate financial modeling and career training.

He has nearly a decade’s experience in the real estate private equity sector and a portfolio of real estate investments.

With his involvement in the close of over $1.5 billion in commercial real estate transactions, Justin Kivel is well-equipped to guide learners.

He has developed multiple courses and learning resources, all designed to help students master real estate financial modeling and successfully break into the commercial real estate industry.

What Will You Learn?

In this course participants will delve into a comprehensive curriculum spanning 14 sections with 84 lectures, offering a thorough understanding of commercial real estate (CRE) fundamentals.

This four-hour on-demand video course, accompanied by 3 articles and 2 downloadable resources, covers a diverse range of topics, including:

• CRE Product Types: Exploring different property types in the commercial real estate landscape.
• Measuring CRE: Understanding key metrics such as The Stacking Plan and The Pro Rata Share Calculation.
• CRE Leases: In-depth lessons on Commercial Real Estate Leases, covering various types such as Triple Net (NNN), Full Service Gross, Modified Gross, and more.
• CRE Revenue Drivers: Analyzing Gross Potential Rent (GPR), Economic Vacancy, Expense Reimbursem*nts, Caps, and Fees as crucial revenue drivers.
• CRE Capital Expense Driver: Examining Tenant Improvements (TI) Allowances, Leasing Commissions, and Capital Expense (CapEx) Reserves.
• CRE Debt and Financing: Understanding key terms, loan sourcing, amortization vs. term, interest rates, and various aspects of debt financing.
• CRE Return Metrics: Exploring metrics like Capitalization (Cap) Rate, Cash-on-Cash Return, Internal Rate of Return (IRR), and Equity Multiple.
• CRE Valuation: The Real Estate Financial Analysis Framework, projecting reversion (sale) value, and understanding target return metric valuation.
• CRE Equity Financing: Breaking down Joint Venture (JV) Partnerships, Partnership Fee Structures, Equity Waterfall Structures, and the mathematics behind equity waterfalls.
• CRE Investing Tax Considerations: Modeling income taxes, understanding the 1031 Exchange, and exploring the Cash-Out Refinance strategy.

This course offers a comprehensive exploration of essential concepts, providing participants with a solid foundation in commercial real estate investing.

Pricing

The course is priced at $99.99.

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COMPANY

Commercial Real Estate Analysis and Investment Online Short Course by MIT

This is a program designed to provide participants with an extensive understanding of commercial real estate investing.

It covers both micro and macro perspectives, delving into the principles of real estate assets and valuation at an individual investment level, as well as exploring real estate capital markets with a portfolio approach.

The course is tailored for finance, investment, and commercial real estate professionals, equipping learners with the expertise needed to make well-informed investment decisions.

Who Is the Instructor?

Dr. David Geltner is a distinguished professor of Real Estate Finance at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).

With tenure at MIT dating back to 2002, he has held the George Macomber Chair and currently serves as Professor-Post Tenure of Real Estate Finance.

Dr. Geltner’s contributions to real estate investment research have earned him numerous accolades, including the prestigious Graaskamp Award from the Pension Real Estate Association in 2011.

He has also played significant roles as the Academic Advisor to the National Council of Real Estate Investment Fiduciaries (NCREIF) and as the Director of MIT’s Commercial Real Estate Data Laboratory.

What Will You Learn?

This six-week course is divided into six modules, one for each week, covering:

• Introduction to financial and economic concepts and tools to effectively analyze and make informed decisions regarding real estate investments

• Examination of the real estate system, with a particular emphasis on the space market (rental market), to gain insights into market dynamics and interactions within the industry

• Detailed evaluation of individual real estate investments by utilizing financial tools

• A deep dive into the principles of leveraging and financing real estate investments, encompassing strategies for acquiring capital for real estate ventures

• Use of strategic and tactical tools for proficient portfolio management, ensuring efficient investment management at the macro level

• Comprehensive analysis of real estate development projects, allowing participants to assess their feasibility, potential returns, and overall viability

Pricing

The course is priced at $1,820.

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COMPANY

CRE DealPRO by Cherif Medawar

This is a self-paced virtual class that teaches investors how to invest in commercial deals and raise unlimited capital.

The course includes live deal analysis, a platform to get all questions answered by Cherif, and a back office of important resources for investors to succeed at any level.

It aims to help investors develop the skills to take advantage of the commercial real estate market and understand the ins and outs of commercial real estate investing through education, systems, formulas, collaboration, and live deal analysis.

Who Is the Instructor?

Cherif Medawar is a distinguished figure in the field of commercial real estate investing. He is a leading mentor, coach, and best-selling author renowned in both the United States and Puerto Rico.

Cherif is an experienced speaker who has shared his insights and wisdom on commercial real estate investing with a variety of audiences.

His experience ranges from real estate asset protection and management, working with a billionaire real estate investor, to flipping 1,400 REO homes through mortgage notes in 2010.

He has also found success in fix and flip commercial real estate investing, becoming the largest owner of mixed use historic commercial real estate in Old San Juan, Puerto Rico.

He serves as the manager of MIGSIF, a commercial real estate hedge fund established in 2009.

In 2015, he launched another real estate fund, SFI Fund, which was successful even during COVID-19.

With over 2,000 success stories from his training and mentorship programs, Cherif is one of the most trusted commercial real estate investing coaches in the country

What Will You Learn?

In this course, participants will gain access to a comprehensive Commercial Real Estate Investing Quick Start Kit, offering A-to-Z Steps for Investing in CRE through the CRE FACTS System for Success.

The course covers essential topics such as managing apartment buildings, exploring the power of mixed-use and office buildings, and seizing Triple Net (NNN) opportunities for passive income.

Students will receive valuable resources, checklists, and legal documents, including case studies and guidance on buying and selling apartments, raising capital, and flipping real estate.

It also offers 20 hours of training where participants learn the DCBA Formula for investing.

They will learn the FACTS System, explore foundational CRE concepts, and understand various asset types.

An additional bonus 10-hour training on Secrets to Raise Unlimited Capital for CRE Deals covers real estate syndication services, real estate funds, partnerships, and more.

The course also introduces an interactive learning experience through the BONUS CRE Round Table, where Cherif uses real-life examples to explain his creative strategies for investing in 12 different types of commercial real estate.

Pricing

The course costs a one-time fee of $2,995.

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COMPANY

Commercial Real Estate Finance Certification Course by CFI

CFI’s Commercial Real Estate Finance Certification Course is a meticulous sequence of nine commercial real estate investment courses, supplemented with a commercial mortgage case study.

It provides a comprehensive understanding of commercial real estate lending for income-producing investment deals and owner-occupied property transactions.

Designed to impart a strong foundation in commercial real estate finance, this online, self-paced commercial real estate investing training helps students master different aspects of commercial real estate lending.

Who Are the Instructors?

This commercial real estate investment course by CFI boasts seasoned instructors, including Kathy Poettcker, Lisa Dorian, Tim Vipond, and Kyle Peterdy.

Each of them brings an impressive portfolio of experience and expertise to the program.

Kathy Poettcker

Kathy Poettcker leads her own consulting company in real estate and infrastructure finance. She has a background in acquisitions, financing, and asset management.

Her experience spans investment banking, private equity, and operating company environments.

Kathy has worked with real estate developers, investors, and contractors in both the private and public sectors in the United States and Canada, with a focus on procuring and managing infrastructure and real estate projects.

Lisa Dorian

Lisa Dorian is a seasoned professional in financial services, with a career that includes roles as CFO, Chief Audit Executive, and corporate trainer for nearly two decades.

Her expertise encompasses assessing high-risk commercial mortgages, ensuring proper documentation of real estate portfolios, and sharing knowledge and experience with diverse audiences, from new hires to board directors.

Tim Vipond

Tim Vipond is the current CEO of CFI. He has been an active participant in capital markets since 2005, contributing to various industries and transactions, including mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, and capital raisings, totaling more than $3 billion in value.

Tim teaches Financial Modeling and brings a wealth of practical experience to the course.

Kyle Peterdy

Kyle Peterdy is a seasoned commercial banking professional, specializing in the analysis and structuring of various real estate loan types.

His proficiency extends to owner-occupied facilities, income-producing commercial mortgage transactions (including special-use properties), and project-based construction lending.

What Will You Learn?

This commercial real estate investing education program comprises nine courses and one mortgage case study, providing practical, real-world skills in commercial real estate finance.

The course covers key areas, including:

• Real Estate Lending: The crucial elements and processes in commercial real estate lending for both income-producing investment deals and owner-occupied property transactions. Students will be able to differentiate between types of real estate loans, property classes, and more.

• Real Estate Financial Modeling: This course reveals insights into how developers and investors evaluate potential development deals. Students will also learn capital structure modeling in Excel, how to perform sensitivity analyses, and the role of joint ventures in real estate investing.

• Construction Finance: This course teaches students the phases and key players in the real estate development process. Students learn about developer budget line items, how to derive risk-assessed loan-to-cost, and how to review development and construction cash flows.

• Environmental Analysis and Due Diligence: This module teaches the importance of environmental due diligence in credit assessment. Students will be able to identify environmental risk factors and comprehend the differences between various levels of environmental site assessments (ESAs).

• Lease and Rent Roll Analysis: Outlining and analyzing key components of a lease, exploring different lease types and their terms, and identifying potential issues for lenders or investors through lease analysis.

This course equips participants with a diverse skill set in commercial real estate finance, providing in-depth knowledge and practical applications across multiple crucial domains.

Pricing

Access to the course requires membership in the CFI platform. Individual plans include the CFI Self-Study at $497 per year and the CFI Full-Immersion at $847 per year.

Team plans consist of the Basic option at $399 per learner annually (for a minimum of two learners) and the Premium plan at $497 per learner annually (for a minimum of two learners).

These plans offer a range of choices for both individual learners and teams, accommodating diverse preferences and participant numbers.

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About the Author:

With over 20+ years of experience in real estate investment and renovation, Brian Robbins brings extensive knowledge and innovative solutions to the HouseCashin team. Over the years Brian has been involved in over 300 transactions of income producing properties across the US. Along with his passion for real estate, Brian brings with him a deep understanding of real estate risks and financing.