MIT School of Architecture and Planning
Real Estate Financial Analytics
Discover the power of utilizing quantitative analytical techniques and financial modeling to make informed decisions and assess risks in real estate investments.
Start date
16 April 2025
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Course duration
6 weeks
Excluding orientation
Language
English
Access resources from start date
Effort
7–8 hours per week
Self-paced learning online
Course overview
The commercial property deal volume for the first three quarters of 2021 — the first time it's reached such a high level.
Real Capital Analytics (Oct, 2021).
The US commercial real estate market size.
Ibis World (Oct, 2021).
Duration: 6 weeks (excluding orientation)
The commercial and residential real estate markets are being transformed by changing tenant expectations, sustainability concerns, and the work-from-home protocols influencing where people choose to live. Predicting the full impact of these changes on the property sector and investment and development decisions requires data and quantitative analysis skills.
The Real Estate Financial Analytics short course from the MIT School of Architecture and Planning (MIT SA+P) can help you turn uncertainty (‘unknown unknowns’) into risk (‘known unknowns’). This six-week program equips you with the technical skills and tools to rigorously analyze the viability of residential and commercial real estate investments, including simulation modeling and financial modeling techniques. You will also learn to quantitatively model real estate price dynamics using Microsoft Excel and explore the challenges associated with real estate price indexing.
The course covers the limitations and allure of forecasting and how to make more accurate predictions using Monte Carlo simulation. You will also explore how flexibility in the face of uncertainty can add value to investments and learn how to assess the quantitative and qualitative value of real estate investment decision flexibility using simulation modeling. MIT academics and industry experts will guide you through the program, helping you discover the potential for new financial engineering tools based on real estate price indexing.
Is this course for you?
This program aims to equip finance and built environment professionals with the skills and tools to successfully navigate real estate investment decisions. It's suitable for those looking to manage personal investments or advise clients. The course will enable participants to make better recommendations and projections, identify high-return investments, and build a strong and enduring portfolio.
Business leaders, financial executives, real estate entrepreneurs, developers, fund managers, and advisers will benefit from gaining insight into the latest investment trends and structures. Analysts seeking specialist real estate expertise can benefit from expert thought leadership in property price dynamics and valuation in the capital market. Prior knowledge of finance or economic analysis, as well as experience using Microsoft Excel, is recommended.
Course overview
Introduction
Duration: 6 weeks (excluding orientation)
The commercial and residential real estate markets are being transformed by changing tenant expectations, sustainability concerns, and the work-from-home protocols influencing where people choose to live. Predicting the full impact of these changes on the property sector and investment and development decisions requires data and quantitative analysis skills.
The Real Estate Financial Analytics short course from the MIT School of Architecture and Planning (MIT SA+P) can help you turn uncertainty (‘unknown unknowns’) into risk (‘known unknowns’). This six-week program equips you with the technical skills and tools to rigorously analyze the viability of residential and commercial real estate investments, including simulation modeling and financial modeling techniques. You will also learn to quantitatively model real estate price dynamics using Microsoft Excel and explore the challenges associated with real estate price indexing.
The course covers the limitations and allure of forecasting and how to make more accurate predictions using Monte Carlo simulation. You will also explore how flexibility in the face of uncertainty can add value to investments and learn how to assess the quantitative and qualitative value of real estate investment decision flexibility using simulation modeling. MIT academics and industry experts will guide you through the program, helping you discover the potential for new financial engineering tools based on real estate price indexing.
Is this course for you?
This program aims to equip finance and built environment professionals with the skills and tools to successfully navigate real estate investment decisions. It's suitable for those looking to manage personal investments or advise clients. The course will enable participants to make better recommendations and projections, identify high-return investments, and build a strong and enduring portfolio.
Business leaders, financial executives, real estate entrepreneurs, developers, fund managers, and advisers will benefit from gaining insight into the latest investment trends and structures. Analysts seeking specialist real estate expertise can benefit from expert thought leadership in property price dynamics and valuation in the capital market. Prior knowledge of finance or economic analysis, as well as experience using Microsoft Excel, is recommended.
What will set you apart
The skills to use quantitative techniques and financial modeling to understand real estate price dynamics.
Insight into leveraging investment flexibility to manage and take advantage of uncertainty.
The ability to interpret Monte Carlo simulation analysis to determine risk and return in real estate investment decisions.
Statistical analysis techniques to inform real estate investment decision making, and the knowledge to assess the financial viability of residential and commercial investments.
Unlimited access to edX’s Career Engagement Network, offering you exclusive resources and events to support your professional journey and drive your career forward.Course curriculum
Orientation module
Welcome to your Online Campus
Module 1
Real estate price dynamics
Module 2
Tracking real estate prices: Indexes and performance
Module 3
The forecast is ‘always’ wrong
Module 4
Simulation modeling for real estate investment
Module 5
Valuing flexibility in real estate
Module 6
The real estate financial analytics frontier: The case of index-based derivatives
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Faculty Director
David Geltner
Emeritus Professor of Real Estate Finance, MIT Department of Urban Studies and Planning; Associate Director of Research, MIT Center for Real Estate
About the certificate
Acquire the expertise to analyze the financial risks and identify opportunities within the real estate marketplace, and earn an official MIT SA+P certificate.
Assessment is continuous and based on a series of practical assignments completed online. In order to be issued with a digital certificate, you’ll need to meet the requirements outlined in the course handbook. The handbook will be made available to you as soon as you begin the course.
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Payment options
You can pay your course fees before the course starts, or you may opt for a split payment plan on courses that are nine weeks and shorter. For courses 10 weeks and longer, there is a three-part payment plan available. To find out more about payment options please visit our Payment and Financing page, or contact an Enrollment Adviser, to find out which option you qualify for.
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GetSmarter's learning model is designed to help you, as a working professional, improve your skills without compromising on work and family responsibilities. The course work is broken up into weekly, manageable bite-sized modules, with incremental deadlines, designed to help you pace yourself over the duration of the course and allow you the legroom to work when it suits you best.
At the beginning of each module you'll be presented with the course content and assignments necessary for completion. You also have access to your Success Adviser who will help you manage your time, and support you with any administrative or technical queries you might have.
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How to change your start date
As part of our commitment to your professional development, GetSmarter offers you a two-week period to change your course start date or request your money back if you’re not fully satisfied.
To qualify for a deferral of your course start date, or to cancel your enrollment and receive a refund of your course fee, your request would need to reach our Success Advisers before the release of Module 2. For more information, please read our Terms and Conditions.
Discover the Online Campus
The Online Campus will be your virtual classroom for the duration of your course. Through its easy-to-use interface you'll have access to a diverse variety of course content formats including: interactive videos, module notes, practice quizzes, presentations, assignment briefs, and additional web resources.
On the Online Campus, you'll also be able to ask questions and interact with your fellow students and teaching team through the discussion forums. If you are looking for your Online Campus login, please visit your Account page here.
