A Real Estate Analyst is a professional who dives into the intricate world of property markets, utilizing analytical skills to provide insights into real estate investments, development projects, and market trends. They play a crucial role in helping stakeholders make informed decisions regarding real estate assets. In this blog post, we describe the primary responsibilities and the most in-demand hard and soft skills for Real Estate Analysts.

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Main Responsibilities of a Real Estate Analyst

The following list describes the typical responsibilities of a Real Estate Analyst:

Analyze

• Analyze all new property leads and compile property data.

• Analyze and underwrite securities and bonds backed by commercial mortgages.

• Analyze lease agreements and terms.

• Analyze market trends to assess property values.

• Analyze property operating expenses and revenue streams.

• Analyze rent rolls including lease roll over and tenant analysis.

Answer

Answer central phone lines, responds to and resolve or escalates inquiries for resolution.

Assess

• Assess risks associated with real estate transactions.

• Assess the impact of economic factors on real estate markets.

Assist in

• Assist all department programs.

• Assist borrowers and internal staff with information requests.

• Assist in asset management activities.

• Assist in negotiating purchase agreements and leases.

• Assist in portfolio management activities.

• Assist in preparation of budgets and models for refinances, purchases, dispositions.

• Assist in preparation of CTI reconciliations and operating expense budgeting.

• Assist in property marketing efforts.

• Assist in securing third-party project financing as required.

• Assist in the completion of investment memo's and ASR's for client credit / investment committees.

• Assist in the development of strategic plans.

• Assist in the engagement of consultants by drafting Request for Proposals / Qualifications.

• Assist in the ordering appraisals process for our bank and fund clients.

• Assist in the preparation of monthly / quarterly and ad hoc management reports for senior management.

• Assist Mortgage Bankers in shopping new deals with lenders.

• Assist Shelter Director with performance evaluations of staff in supervisory positions.

• Assist with acquisition due diligence.

• Assist with annual audit requirements.

• Assist with due diligence analysis and capital expenditure project management.

• Assist with financial and credit analysis as part of annual asset business plan development.

• Assist with legal document review and lease / loan documents and amendments.

• Assist with preparation of project approvals materials for management.

• Assist with the daily posting of payments in our servicing system.

Attend

Attend / Schedules / Manages project calls as needed to ensure the project is on track.

Book

Book travel arrangements and prepare itineraries for management.

Build

Build and maintain reporting dashboards and visualizations that drive strategic decision-making.

Collaborate with

• Collaborate with brokers, developers, and appraisers.

• Collaborate with Executive Team to implement company vision on behalf of Leadership.

Collect

• Collect and evaluate economic, demographic, and real estate market data.

• Collect data and prepare ad hoc special reports for senior management as requested.

Communicate

• Communicate in a kind and professional manner.

• Communicate SOPs related to the real estate database module to divisional team members as required.

• Communicate with clients and lenders to obtain current operating information.

• Communicate with various local real estate agents.

Compile

• Compile CAR information and Approvals for CAR submission.

• Compile, copy, sort, and file records of office activities and business transactions.

Complete

Complete annual Audit Confirmations.

Comprehend

Comprehend, analyze, and interpret basic business documents.

Conduct

• Conduct feasibility studies for development projects.

• Conduct financial modeling for real estate projects.

• Conduct property inspections as needed.

• Conduct qualitative analysis of investment teams and the wider investment management business.

• Conduct research and analysis on residential land / housing markets.

• Conduct site visits and property inspections.

Contribute to

• Contribute analyses to decisions around business and investment strategies.

• Contribute to ad-hoc real estate related research projects.

• Contribute to and manage the production of all local research reports and collateral.

Coordinate

• Coordinate and oversee property preparations with design, renovation, and staging teams.

• Coordinate release of legal documentation to business partners.

• Coordinate the management of databases.

• Coordinate with Landlord to set up new services / obligations as per legal agreement.

Create

• Create cash flow projections for income-producing properties.

• Create, maintains, and enters information into databases.

Cultivate

Cultivate broker relationships for market information.

Develop

• Develop and issue Statement of Requirements (SORs) for new projects based on BU direction.

• Develop and maintain quarterly Argus models and support hold vs.

• Develop and oversees Shelter's fundraising programs, including a $6.5 million capital campaign.

• Develop and present findings for Senior Management and Portfolio Managers as required.

• Develop and recommend financing alternatives to present to the Producer.

• Develop and share best practice standards for the region with the Americas Research Group.

• Develop internal network and relationships to facilitate information sharing.

• Develop investment strategies based on market analysis.

• Develop professional content describing real estate offerings and deal terms.

• Develop tailored messaging.

Draft

• Draft correspondence for Legal Counsel review, as required.

• Draft, prepare and document SOPs for manager's approval.

Drive

Drive process improvements across the MRE End-to-End (E2E) model.

Employ

Employ systems (e.g. customized exception reports, tracking reports etc.) to manage information.

Ensure

• Ensure alignment and integration of data in adherence with data governance standards.

• Ensure alignment between stakeholders.

• Ensure alignment between values and behaviour that fosters diversity and inclusion.

• Ensure all real estate costs are lease compliant prior to payment.

• Ensure data collected as part of an on-going assignment is entered accurately.

• Ensure that all policies, plans and programs are regularly reviewed and modified as needed.

Estimate

• Estimate cash flow based on the historical and current operations of the property.

• Estimate property values via market data from Co‐Star and other databases.

Evaluate

• Evaluate potential real estate investments.

• Evaluate potential risks and returns of real estate projects.

• Evaluate zoning regulations and land use restrictions.

Expand

Expand and improve the research platform, program, and output.

Foster

Foster beneficial relationships with customers, businesses, donors, and foundations.

Help

• Help determine business priorities and best sequence for execution of business / group strategy.

• Help maintain Salesforce database used to manage lenders, loan quotes, and deals.

• Help manage relationships with institutional partners, building owners and brokers.

Identify

• Identify economic / general issues with potential economic impact.

• Identify opportunities for value enhancement.

Improve

Improve existing models using Argus Enterprise and Excel.

Influence

Influence and negotiates to achieve business objectives.

Input

Input dates and explain variances.

Interpret

Interpret business terms / conditions to ensure the lease compliant.

Keep

• Keep current with market trends, prepare market reports and research papers for internal use.

• Keep those ambitions in sights and imagine where JLL can take you.

Lead

Lead research projects to gather information on clients & capital sources.

Maintain

• Maintain accurate legal recordkeeping of the national real estate portfolio.

• Maintain a database listing and mapping of those growth plans, both confirmed and / or rumored.

• Maintain a strong working environment that attracts and retains reliable staff.

• Maintain current with market trends and prepare market reports and research for internal use.

• Maintain performance evaluations for all staff.

• Maintain statistics and analysis for the Orlando area office market.

Manage

• Manage and validate real estate contract set up and perform audit of inputted data.

• Manage Capital Labor Allocation Sheet (Timesheet).

• Manage forecast reporting to Finance.

• Manage ongoing capital expenditure projects and their impact on performance.

• Manage Project Manager (PjM) to Facilities Management handoff after a project completes.

• Manage team, divisional and business partners training on the database functionality.

Monitor

• Monitor and collect leasehold allowance from the Landlord based on legal agreement.

• Monitor property performance and occupancy rates.

• Monitor real estate market conditions and trends.

Negotiate

• Negotiate commissions and services provided by collaborating agents.

• Negotiate contracts and execute traditional sale and rent-to-own agreements.

Oversee

Oversee timeliness of financial and accounting information submitted from Property Managers.

Perform

• Perform data input and reporting, as well as work on special projects as needed.

• Perform due diligence on prospective properties.

• Perform occasional site inspections across the United States (when conditions allow for it).

• Perform other job-related duties as required.

• Perform rental rate analysis.

• Perform special projects / analysis for the principal executive.

• Perform variance analyses and reconciliations.

Prepare

• Prepare ad-hoc financial analysis using standard investment metrics to support investment decision.

• Prepare basic financial / business analysis and reports for review by CRM / ACRM.

• Prepare detailed reporting for individual investments and portfolios.

• Prepare divisional and market analysis for presentation to Corporate leadership.

• Prepare financial reports for stakeholders.

• Prepare funding approval requests for department projects.

• Prepare investment memos and presentations.

• Prepare presentations to external clients.

• Prepare yield maintenance, account reconciliations, and other payoff calculations.

Present

Present and review with Senior Management and Portfolio Managers as required.

Process

• Process, maintain, and keep contracts updated in database.

• Process UCC continuations and amendments.

Produce

Produce annual budget reports.

Provide

• Provide advice and guidance to assigned business / group on implementation of solutions.

• Provide development pro formas as required for due diligence purposes.

• Provide feedback and opinion to the Portfolio Manager of issues so property owner can be notified.

• Provide financial analysis and support for asset-level decision-making and transactions.

• Provide financial modeling advice and input to team members.

• Provide input into the planning and implementation of operational programs.

• Provide specialized consulting, analytical and technical support.

• Provide support in real estate transactions.

• Provide support to the asset management team on special projects as needed.

Recommend

• Recommend and implement solutions based on analysis of issues and implications for the business.

• Recommend changes in procedures and resources.

Register

Register and maintain memberships with various real estate boards.

Research

• Research and locate adjacent comparable properties in order to prepare rent comparison on property.

• Research and summarize tenant / sponsor credit worthiness.

• Research comparable property sales and leases.

• Research market trends for use in overall investment strategy processes.

Respond to

Respond to internal and external client requests for data and information.

Review

• Review and analyze periodic real estate investment packages to determine trends and issues.

• Review and analyze Sponsor-provided financial models as well as produce internal CrowdStreet models.

• Review and audit new loans boarded on the servicing system.

• Review and preparation of loan briefs for lender review.

• Review and validate Yardi quarterly financials / operating statements and variance reports.

• Review property appraisals and valuations.

• Review, refine and build real estate financial models.

Screen

Screen and qualify potential buyers and tenant buyers.

Seek

Seek opportunities to improve skills through cross‐training offered by the company.

Sell

Sell analyses conducted by regional Asset Managers.

Set-up

Set-up of all managed real estate contracts from lease commencement of the contract.

Spread

Spread and analyze quarterly financial statements involving revenue, expenses.

Stay informed about

• Stay informed about regulatory changes affecting the real estate industry.

• Stay informed of current animal welfare issues as well as the changing needs of the community.

Submit

Submit report as per Finance timelines.

Summarize

Summarize and present findings and recommendations succinctly.

Support

• Support acquisitions team in achieving quarterly and annual land acquisition targets.

• Support and drives End-to-End process for all BU projects and initiatives.

• Support asset-level business plans and valuation models.

• Support asset-level, regional-level and / or national financial operations and reporting.

• Support JV Equity & Structured Capital Group execute transactions.

• Support ongoing loan compliance and credit / security monitoring activities.

• Support other real estate and portfolio related initiatives as assigned.

• Support principal executive with financial models and analysis.

• Support the BU CRM & ACRM with all Real Estate initiatives.

Track

• Track industry news and updates.

• Track, verifies, and processes department budget and capital expenditure invoices.

Understand

Understand cash flow requirements and distribution analysis.

Undertake

Undertake model audits, quality assurance reviews, and support best practices compliance.

Underwrite

Underwrite a variety of deal types including leases, management agreements and acquisitions.

Update

• Update databases and property records.

• Update financial models with actual data to evaluate investments.

Work with

• Work closely with the geospatial team to implement new solutions, ideas and best practices.

• Work closely with the Real Estate Team to ensure data integrity across technology platforms.

• Work cooperatively with team members across the organization.

• Work with Board in order to fulfill the organization's mission.

• Work with Development Associates to resolve development issues.

• Work with Director of Servicing and Asset Managers on delinquent loan monitoring.

• Work with the Accounting / Finance team to help produce quarterly and annual reports.

• Work with the business to align key performance indicators with financial forecasts and plans.

Write

• Write, edit and organize office research reports for the local and national publications.

• Write meeting notes to a professional standard.

Most In-demand Hard Skills

The following list describes the most required technical skills of a Real Estate Analyst:

1. Proficiency in financial modeling software (e.g., Excel, ARGUS).

2. Knowledge of real estate valuation methods (e.g., DCF, CAPM).

3. Familiarity with real estate investment analysis techniques.

4. Ability to interpret market research reports and data.

5. Skill in using geographic information systems (GIS) for mapping.

6. Understanding of property management software.

7. Knowledge of real estate finance and lending principles.

8. Ability to conduct lease analysis and negotiations.

9. Skill in performing sensitivity analysis for real estate projects.

10. Proficiency in using database management systems for data analysis.

11. Understanding of construction cost estimation methods.

12. Knowledge of real estate law and regulations.

13. Ability to analyze property tax assessments.

14. Familiarity with real estate market research methodologies.

15. Skill in using real estate investment software platforms.

16. Understanding of property development processes.

17. Knowledge of real estate accounting principles.

18. Ability to perform financial due diligence on real estate assets.

19. Skill in conducting investment property analysis.

20. Proficiency in using online real estate databases and platforms.

Most In-demand Soft Skills

The following list describes the most required soft skills of a Real Estate Analyst:

1. Strong analytical skills.

2. Excellent attention to detail.

3. Effective communication skills, both verbal and written.

4. Ability to work independently and in a team environment.

5. Critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.

6. Adaptability to changing priorities and deadlines.

7. Relationship-building and networking skills.

8. Integrity and ethical conduct.

9. Time management and organization.

10. Proactive approach to learning and professional development.

Conclusion

Real Estate Analysts play a pivotal role in navigating the complexities of the real estate market, providing valuable insights and analysis to stakeholders. By mastering the essential hard and soft skills outlined in this post, professionals can thrive in this dynamic and rewarding field.