What guides your real estate investment decisions? Gut instinct is no longer enough. In today’s market, you need practical strategies for determining the potential risk and return of any investment and the tools to forge ahead with the deal. Having the skills to examine the various ecosystems that exist within the commercial property market and understand how they interact is crucial. It can be the difference between seeing a solid return on investment (ROI) or losing money.

The Real Estate Investment and Development online short course from Rice University’s Jones Graduate School of Business provides a holistic tool kit for property and financial professionals. It will equip you with the fundamental skills to successfully operate in the commercial real estate industry and capitalize on the opportunities this asset class offers. You’ll learn to analyze the market, and calculate the value of property and its potential ROI. You’ll also deconstruct the real estate development process and explore its various stages and role players. This online property development and investment course has a strong financial focus—unpacking the use of discounted cash flows and loans—as well as looking into equity partnerships. Each new topic supports that final decision: deal or no deal?

This online short course is designed for both property developers and entrepreneurs who want to identify and analyze the viability of real estate investments and developments. It is beneficial for real estate agents, brokers and property managers who want to deepen their knowledge of the commercial real estate ecosystem. Finance professionals will gain a holistic understanding of the specific financial tools and techniques required to assess the feasibility of an investment.