What are some of your opinions about the general state of the commercial real estate market in DC/VA? Anybody living there think its a decent market to work for development firms/reits?
[{"id": "cskhnhu", "text": "Probably depends on what you want to do.", "replies": [{"id": "cski8p8", "text": "Want to work on the analysis side of CRE. So like acquisitions for development firms/reits. In a year or two I will be moving across the country to DC,a place I have never lived before, and I'm just nervous about the market there and wonder if its a decent market to work in CRE. ", "replies": [{"id": "csktt0c", "text": "This might sound silly, but isn't analysis less money than brokerage or development? I just got into a CRE program at school so I'm fairly unfamiliar with the field", "replies": [{"id": "cskvvtv", "text": "oh yeah I am totally aware that analysts whether on the finance side or research typically earn way less money than brokers/developers. But, thats where my interests lies and i am 100 percent okay with earning less money than brokers ", "replies": [], "depth": 4}], "depth": 3}], "depth": 2}], "depth": 1}, {"id": "cskx50l", "text": "I hear that most of DC's market is heavily dependent on gov't contracts (big surprise). Might not be the most stabile market. \n\nNoVA is a good spot for multi-fam.", "replies": [], "depth": 1}, {"id": "csvgkzl", "text": "I live in the South East, and the analyst market is pretty friggin hot right now (relatively speaking). Recruiters have been active, and offering aggressive salaries.\n\nA coworker has the theory that the downturn led a lot of people to leave finance. Now that we are about 5 to 6 years + down the road, there's a shortage of people with some experience. Most people don't tend to stay in analysis for more than about 10 years, so there aren't many in that 5-10 year range to begin with.\n\nEdit - also, just because you live in DC doesn't mean you'll be impacted by the DC real estate market. The larger firms have national portfolios...\n", "replies": [{"id": "csvybdy", "text": "are recruiters looking for experience plus education? I am in residential real estate right now, so dont have a lot of exeprience in CRE finance, but plan to do my masters in real estate finance in Georgetown, would that help? of course i know that when i am doing my masters, I should network a lot as connections really matter, but wondering if a Gtown degree and networking in DC would help me just help me my foot in the door. \n\n&gt;Most people don't tend to stay in analysis for more than about 10 years\n\nwhere do they go? do they become brokers? because I dont want to be a broker. I am in residential RE sales right now, and I want to be in the CRE side but def not sales, and would really prefer to be in the analysis/research side of things. So, for me is there a very limited career path/growth?\n", "replies": [{"id": "csw6pac", "text": "From what I have seen, experience trumps education....to an extent. If you have a masters in RE, it will absolutely help you get in the door.  But if you are already working, I think it has limited value add. If you choose to do the masters, I'd try and get some sort of work analyst experience while you do it. \n\nMany banks have internship programs.\n\nAn analyst with 10 years of experience can usually move into some sort of managerial role overseeing other analysts. You can make a solid career staying on the analyst side making six figures.\n\nAlso, residential RE sales is NOTHING like commercial sales. I've worked for both as an analyst and can tell  you I would NEVER be a residential broker, but I'd be a commercial broker in a heart beat (and am taking steps to make that happen). \n\nI'd keep an open mind about being a CRE producer some day. You might find out that it suits you.", "replies": [], "depth": 3}], "depth": 2}], "depth": 1}]