For many seasoned investors, commercial real estate is regarded as the foundation asset and is no longer deemed as an alternative asset class. Although less liquid than many traditional assets, the real estate asset class is capable of providing great long-term value and stability to an investor’s portfolio. Yet, for many retail investors, real estate investing can be both legalistic and daunting and may sometimes need a large financial commitment for a relatively longer period than the typical traditional asset. This course provides you with the concepts that you need to facilitate your understanding of the complex world of real estate investing and the tools to enable you to analyze real estate investment opportunities to make sound investment choices.
The basic principles of real estate assets and the market for space are introduced at the beginning. This is followed by fundamental principles of investments such as risk and return assessment and cash flows. Subsequently, the course delves deeper into concepts specific to commercial real estate investing such as real estate investment analysis and valuation. Finally, opportunities available in the real estate capital markets are covered at length. The course makes generous use of case studies to strengthen the transition from conceptual knowledge to real-life applications.
The course is facilitated by one of the few valuation experts on the African continent with a long experience as a Finance educator, one of whose renowned strengths is conveying in a simple and easy-to-follow way, subjects that ordinarily appear esoteric to many. Prof. Kodongo is currently on the faculty at The University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, and has held visiting positions in many institutions of higher learning including the African Economic Research Consortium. He is a co-founder of the African Development and Financial Economics Institute.
By the end of this course, you should be able to:
1. Identify and describe investment opportunities available in the real estate sector.
2. Estimate the investment value of a commercial real property.
3. Prepare accurate and reliable commercial real estate valuation reports and advise on real estate investment decisions.
4. Develop real estate investment models in Excel.
5. Assess the benefits and challenges of real estate capital markets in the global and the African contexts.
6. Evaluate and advise on opportunities available in real estate capital markets.
STRUCTURE OF THE COURSE
The course comprises 13 three-hour weekly lectures/discussions during which tests and quizzes will also be administered. At the end of the course, participants who would like a certificate will be required to write a three-hour examination.