Online real estate courses
Despite uncertainty, real estate continues to attract investors as one of the most promising asset classes. Learn to make informed commercial property investment decisions with these online real estate short courses.
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Register for real estate courses online
The real estate sector is constantly evolving. Changes in technology, politics, the environment, and global events all have a direct impact on the commercial and private real estate economy. For example, global real estate investment fell to $699 billion in 2023, the lowest level since 2023, according to Savills. However, rate changes and the return of institutional investors are both contributing to a forecast 27 percent rise in investment in 2025. By 2026, global activity is projected to exceed $1 trillion for the first time since 2022.1
Additionally, the increased use of property technology (proptech) in the property sector affects how prospecting property investors access and experience property, ranging from online property listings to augmented reality (AR) tours of property developments. Property professionals also use proptech to gain insights into their clients, markets, buildings, and tenants by analyzing the data generated by new technologies.2 As a result, data analysis and data science skills are in greater demand in this sector. Recruiting and retaining talent with these skills, and reskilling existing employees, has become more important than ever.3
As an aspiring or existing property investor, developer, or practitioner, you need several skills to make informed investment decisions. GetSmarter’s online courses give you the opportunity to develop your skills in commercial real estate, development, and investment. Designed and led by top-tier universities, you’ll gain the skills to leverage opportunities and confidently navigate market change through these programs. For real estate courses in South Africa and around the world, GetSmarter’s courses offer a range of subjects, from real estate economics and data analysis to construction and management.
Careers in real estate
Most positions in the real estate job sector can expect average employment growth rate between 2023 and 20334. A few of the great roles in property include:
- Real estate investors purchase property to sell it again for maximum profit or invest passively where property is owned but not managed by them5
- Real estate agents facilitate the sale and purchasing of commercial or residential properties and typically work for a real estate broker6
- Real estate brokers do the same as real estate agents but often work for themselves or have their own property brokerage7
- Property developers buy land and manage the planning, financing, and construction of new commercial or residential properties8
- Real estate wholesalers purchase properties in poor condition that promise a high return after repair and sell them to investors based on the profit they can make after renovations9
- Property managers take care of the real estate assets, finances, and tenants that belong to property investors10
- Real estate attorneys manage the legal aspects of real estate, such as title deeds, transfers, and disputes11
- Property appraisers determine how much a commercial or residential property is worth12
- Leasing agents deal directly with property owners to identify and manage tenants for homes and businesses13
- Mortgage loan officers help property buyers to obtain financial loans14
- Mortgage brokers act as liaison between buyers and lenders, and find the best mortgage loan products to suit the buyers15
Skills required for a career in real estate
Recruiters look for specific capabilities on a real estate professional’s resume, as most real estate roles require a standard set of skills. These include:
- People skills such as active listening, presenting, writing, social awareness, negotiation, and persuasion16
- Critical thinking and complex problem-solving skills17
- Sales, marketing, and customer service skills18
- Relevant legal knowledge, be it landlord agreements or government requirements pertaining to real estate19
- Organizational and time management skills20
- Knowledge of how to use the technological tools available in the property industry21
- Property management skills to oversee the upkeep and operation of a property22
- Investment know-how to make wise property investment decisions23
- Property development capabilities, from drawing up a business plan and doing market research to calculating return on investment (ROI) and obtaining financing24
- Real estate analysis to evaluate and research the property market25
With so many changes in technology, the economy, and politics, new skills are required at every turn. If you’re in the real estate industry, be it as an investor, a private property owner, or a professional, advancing your real estate skills is critical to staying ahead of the competition.
Gain the skills to advance your understanding of real estate and earn a certificate with GetSmarter’s wide selection of real estate executive education options. You’ll learn in your own time and at your own pace as you study subjects such as property law, data science in real estate, finance and economics, analysis and investments, and property management.
Sources
1Rushton, C. (Oct, 2024). ‘Global real estate investment: 2025 and beyond’. Retrieved from Savills.
2McClelland, J. (Nov, 2019). ‘What is proptech?’. Retrieved from Raconteur.
3Smith, J. et al. (Sep, 2024). ‘2025 commercial real estate outlook’. Retrieved from Deloitte.
4(Oct, 2024). ‘Property, real estate, and community association managers’. Retrieved from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
5Chen, J. (Aug, 2024). ‘Investment real estate: Meaning, benefits, risks’. Retrieved from Investopedia.
6Jark, D. (Mar, 2024). ‘Real estate agent: Definition, how agents work, and compensation’. Retrieved from Investopedia.
7(Nov, 2024). ‘What is a real estate broker?’. Retrieved from Luxury Presence.
8(May, 2024). ‘What is a property developer, what do they do & what do they earn?’. Retrieved from Market Financial Solutions.
9Araj, V. (Dec, 2023). ‘Wholesale real estate: A beginner’s guide’. Retrieved from Rocket Mortgage.
10Chen, J. (Apr, 2023). ‘Property manager: Definition, job, pros & cons of hiring one’. Retrieved from Investopedia.
11Wood, K. (Apr, 2024). ‘What is a real estate attorney, and do you need one?’. Retrieved from NerdWallet.
12Stevens, T. (Jul, 2024). ‘What is a property appraiser?’. Retrieved from LendingTree.
13(Oct, 2021). ‘What is a leasing agent? Duties and professional qualities’. Retrieved from MasterClass.
14Ceizyk, D. (Aug, 2023). ‘Mortgage loan officer: What you should know’. Retrieved from LendingTree.
15Kagan, J. (May, 2024). ‘Mortgage broker: Definition, how they work, and responsibilities’. Retrieved from Investopedia.
16(Nd). ‘Real estate agent sales agent career’. Retrieved from My Majors. Accessed November 18, 2024.
17(Nd). ‘Real estate agent sales agent career’. Retrieved from My Majors. Accessed November 18, 2024.
18Memonen, T. (Jul, 2019). ‘10 property management skills you need to succeed’. Retrieved from Mashvisor.
19Memonen, T. (Jul, 2019). ‘10 property management skills you need to succeed’. Retrieved from Mashvisor.
20(Nd). ‘Real estate agent sales agent career’. Retrieved from My Majors. Accessed November 18, 2024.
21(Nd). ‘Real estate agent sales agent career’. Retrieved from My Majors. Accessed November 18, 2024.
22(Nd). ‘Top 12 property management skills to be best on the job’. Retrieved from JD&RE. Accessed November 18, 2024.
23Parker, T. (Jun, 2024). ‘15 tips for buying your first rental property’. Retrieved from Investopedia.
24Hawley, A. (Nd). ‘How to become a property developer’. Retrieved from Startups. Accessed June 22, 2020.
25(Nd). ‘Real estate analyst job description, key duties and responsibilities’. Retrieved from JD&RE. Accessed November 18, 2024.
Register for real estate courses online
The real estate sector is constantly evolving. Changes in technology, politics, the environment, and global events all have a direct impact on the commercial and private real estate economy. For example, global real estate investment fell to $699 billion in 2023, the lowest level since 2023, according to Savills. However, rate changes and the return of institutional investors are both contributing to a forecast 27 percent rise in investment in 2025. By 2026, global activity is projected to exceed $1 trillion for the first time since 2022.1
Additionally, the increased use of property technology (proptech) in the property sector affects how prospecting property investors access and experience property, ranging from online property listings to augmented reality (AR) tours of property developments. Property professionals also use proptech to gain insights into their clients, markets, buildings, and tenants by analyzing the data generated by new technologies.2 As a result, data analysis and data science skills are in greater demand in this sector. Recruiting and retaining talent with these skills, and reskilling existing employees, has become more important than ever.3
As an aspiring or existing property investor, developer, or practitioner, you need several skills to make informed investment decisions. GetSmarter’s online courses give you the opportunity to develop your skills in commercial real estate, development, and investment. Designed and led by top-tier universities, you’ll gain the skills to leverage opportunities and confidently navigate market change through these programs. For real estate courses in South Africa and around the world, GetSmarter’s courses offer a range of subjects, from real estate economics and data analysis to construction and management.
Careers in real estate
Most positions in the real estate job sector can expect average employment growth rate between 2023 and 20334. A few of the great roles in property include:
- Real estate investors purchase property to sell it again for maximum profit or invest passively where property is owned but not managed by them5
- Real estate agents facilitate the sale and purchasing of commercial or residential properties and typically work for a real estate broker6
- Real estate brokers do the same as real estate agents but often work for themselves or have their own property brokerage7
- Property developers buy land and manage the planning, financing, and construction of new commercial or residential properties8
- Real estate wholesalers purchase properties in poor condition that promise a high return after repair and sell them to investors based on the profit they can make after renovations9
- Property managers take care of the real estate assets, finances, and tenants that belong to property investors10
- Real estate attorneys manage the legal aspects of real estate, such as title deeds, transfers, and disputes11
- Property appraisers determine how much a commercial or residential property is worth12
- Leasing agents deal directly with property owners to identify and manage tenants for homes and businesses13
- Mortgage loan officers help property buyers to obtain financial loans14
- Mortgage brokers act as liaison between buyers and lenders, and find the best mortgage loan products to suit the buyers15
Skills required for a career in real estate
Recruiters look for specific capabilities on a real estate professional’s resume, as most real estate roles require a standard set of skills. These include:
- People skills such as active listening, presenting, writing, social awareness, negotiation, and persuasion16
- Critical thinking and complex problem-solving skills17
- Sales, marketing, and customer service skills18
- Relevant legal knowledge, be it landlord agreements or government requirements pertaining to real estate19
- Organizational and time management skills20
- Knowledge of how to use the technological tools available in the property industry21
- Property management skills to oversee the upkeep and operation of a property22
- Investment know-how to make wise property investment decisions23
- Property development capabilities, from drawing up a business plan and doing market research to calculating return on investment (ROI) and obtaining financing24
- Real estate analysis to evaluate and research the property market25
With so many changes in technology, the economy, and politics, new skills are required at every turn. If you’re in the real estate industry, be it as an investor, a private property owner, or a professional, advancing your real estate skills is critical to staying ahead of the competition.
Gain the skills to advance your understanding of real estate and earn a certificate with GetSmarter’s wide selection of real estate executive education options. You’ll learn in your own time and at your own pace as you study subjects such as property law, data science in real estate, finance and economics, analysis and investments, and property management.
Sources
1Rushton, C. (Oct, 2024). ‘Global real estate investment: 2025 and beyond’. Retrieved from Savills.
2McClelland, J. (Nov, 2019). ‘What is proptech?’. Retrieved from Raconteur.
3Smith, J. et al. (Sep, 2024). ‘2025 commercial real estate outlook’. Retrieved from Deloitte.
4(Oct, 2024). ‘Property, real estate, and community association managers’. Retrieved from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
5Chen, J. (Aug, 2024). ‘Investment real estate: Meaning, benefits, risks’. Retrieved from Investopedia.
6Jark, D. (Mar, 2024). ‘Real estate agent: Definition, how agents work, and compensation’. Retrieved from Investopedia.
7(Nov, 2024). ‘What is a real estate broker?’. Retrieved from Luxury Presence.
8(May, 2024). ‘What is a property developer, what do they do & what do they earn?’. Retrieved from Market Financial Solutions.
9Araj, V. (Dec, 2023). ‘Wholesale real estate: A beginner’s guide’. Retrieved from Rocket Mortgage.
10Chen, J. (Apr, 2023). ‘Property manager: Definition, job, pros & cons of hiring one’. Retrieved from Investopedia.
11Wood, K. (Apr, 2024). ‘What is a real estate attorney, and do you need one?’. Retrieved from NerdWallet.
12Stevens, T. (Jul, 2024). ‘What is a property appraiser?’. Retrieved from LendingTree.
13(Oct, 2021). ‘What is a leasing agent? Duties and professional qualities’. Retrieved from MasterClass.
14Ceizyk, D. (Aug, 2023). ‘Mortgage loan officer: What you should know’. Retrieved from LendingTree.
15Kagan, J. (May, 2024). ‘Mortgage broker: Definition, how they work, and responsibilities’. Retrieved from Investopedia.
16(Nd). ‘Real estate agent sales agent career’. Retrieved from My Majors. Accessed November 18, 2024.
17(Nd). ‘Real estate agent sales agent career’. Retrieved from My Majors. Accessed November 18, 2024.
18Memonen, T. (Jul, 2019). ‘10 property management skills you need to succeed’. Retrieved from Mashvisor.
19Memonen, T. (Jul, 2019). ‘10 property management skills you need to succeed’. Retrieved from Mashvisor.
20(Nd). ‘Real estate agent sales agent career’. Retrieved from My Majors. Accessed November 18, 2024.
21(Nd). ‘Real estate agent sales agent career’. Retrieved from My Majors. Accessed November 18, 2024.
22(Nd). ‘Top 12 property management skills to be best on the job’. Retrieved from JD&RE. Accessed November 18, 2024.
23Parker, T. (Jun, 2024). ‘15 tips for buying your first rental property’. Retrieved from Investopedia.
24Hawley, A. (Nd). ‘How to become a property developer’. Retrieved from Startups. Accessed June 22, 2020.
25(Nd). ‘Real estate analyst job description, key duties and responsibilities’. Retrieved from JD&RE. Accessed November 18, 2024.
