Real estate investment is the identification, acquisition, and maintenance of profitable real estate assets. Professionals in acquisitions focus on identifying potentially profitable existing real estate assets and purchasing them, while researchers analyze broader market trends. Professionals in asset or portfolio management focus on maintaining profitability of either one or several individual assets, or the overall investment portfolio of an organization.

• Acquisitions: Acquisition professionals help to identify and acquire Commercial Real Estate assets. They work with investors to identify opportunities and negotiate deals.
• Asset Management: Asset managers oversee the ongoing operation and performance of Commercial Real Estate assets. They work to maximize the value of the asset, through leasing, management, and other strategies.
• Research: Analysts evaluate market data and provide insights on Commercial Real Estate trends and opportunities. They work with investors, developers, and other stakeholders to identify potential opportunities and make informed decisions.
• Portfolio Management: Real Estate managers must help define and take advantage of investment strategies and opportunities at the property level and across the entire investment portfolio. RE Portfolio Managers are not only responsible for asset allocation, risk management and transactions, but also for dealing directly with the land and structures on it. In contrast, a traditional money manager might know the stocks in a certain field or sector, but wouldn’t get involved in the operations of the companies themselves.

Real estate development is the process of taking real estate from an idea to reality: identifying a site, designing a building, securing financing, project managing the construction and permitting of the building, and either selling it or leasing it out to tenants.

• Development: Developers oversee the entire process of bringing a new Commercial Real Estate project from concept to completion. This includes everything from identifying potential sites to securing financing, obtaining necessary permits, and managing construction.
• Construction: Construction professionals oversee the physical construction of Commercial Real Estate projects. This includes everything from managing contractors to ensuring that the project is completed on time and within budget.
• Project Management: Project managers oversee the entire development process, from planning and design to construction and completion. They work with a team of professionals to ensure that the project is completed on time and within budget.

Real estate financing is the essential function of providing capital for the purchase or construction of real estate. Financial services firms lend capital to developers to build properties, or to investors to purchase them. Investors can also pool their resources in real estate investment trusts (REITs) that then manage portfolios of real estate assets on behalf of their investors.

• Lending: Lending professionals provide financing to Commercial Real Estate investors and developers. This includes everything from traditional Commercial mortgages to Mezzanine financing (higher risk debt).
• Public Capital Markets: This category deals with publicly traded Commercial Real Estate companies and Real Estate investment trusts (REITs). Professionals in this field help to analyze these companies and make investment decisions.
• Distressed Real Estate: This category deals with properties in financial distress, such as foreclosures or bankruptcies. Professionals in this field help to identify and acquire these properties at a discount, and then work to turn them around and sell them for a profit.

Real estate brokerage is the facilitation of buying, selling, or leasing real estate. Brokers can work with a specific property or set of properties (like your apartment building’s property manager or leasing agent), or brokerage firms can be hired by property owners wishing to list their property for sale or lease. Brokers working in debt or equity placement may also be hired to connect development projects or either party involved in a real estate sale with investors.

• Debt and Equity Placement: Professionals in this field help to secure financing for Commercial Real Estate projects, including debt and equity funding. They work with lenders, investors, and borrowers to identify the best financing options for a specific project
• Investment Sales: Investment sales professionals help to facilitate the buying and selling of Commercial Real Estate assets. They work with investors to identify opportunities and negotiate deals.
• Leasing and Tenant Representatives: Leasing professionals help to market and lease Commercial Real Estate assets to tenants. They work with landlords to identify potential tenants and negotiate lease agreements. Tenant representatives work on behalf of tenants to identify and secure space that meets their needs.

There are a variety of different services real estate professionals provide that do not fall under investment, development, financing, or brokerage. Real estate consultancy, appraisal or valuation, and property management are examples of other work done on behalf of property owners or investors.

• Appraisal and Valuation: Appraisers determine the value of properties through analyzing market data, inspecting properties, and researching comparable properties. They provide valuation reports that are used by investors, lenders, and other stakeholders.
• Property Management: Property managers oversee the day-to-day operations of Commercial Real Estate assets. This role and responsibility include everything from leasing to maintenance to tenant relations.
• Consulting/Advisory: Consultants and advisors provide strategic guidance to investors and other stakeholders in the Commercial Real Estate industry. This function includes everything from market analysis to investment strategy to due diligence.