Development, acquisition, and transaction modeling courses recommendations?
TLDR; What online courses would you recommend that cover basic-intermediate/expert levels of financial modeling for CRE? 

I am currently looking at the  REFM "New York Course" all inclusive package.  [https://www.getrefm.com/shop/self-study/foundations-and-certification/the-new-york-course-self-study/](https://www.getrefm.com/shop/self-study/foundations-and-certification/the-new-york-course-self-study/) 

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Brief Background: I am currently in my second year of Commercial Banking in the CRE industry working as a Portfolio Manager (analyst, underwriter, associate to a relationship manager). While I have gained an extensive amount of knowledge on how to underwrite CRE and perform in depth analysis on various property and transaction types, I almost rarely do any modeling. 

I am looking to make a jump to the Development or Acquisition/Disposition side of the business. From what I can tell, my industry knowledge to this point should serve me well but I am most certainly lacking in my modeling/excel abilities. Has anyone taken these courses and would they recommend any or provide personal opinions on them if so?
[{"id": "fqbeqe3", "text": "Adventures in commercial real estate is another solid option.  Great website all around for questions and approaches to modeling. \n\n\nhttps://www.adventuresincre.com/re-modeling/", "replies": [{"id": "fqbhsjl", "text": "This one is good", "replies": [], "depth": 2}, {"id": "fqbxcxf", "text": "I had seen a lot on these. Wasn\u2019t sure of the quality. Thank you.", "replies": [], "depth": 2}, {"id": "fqf831q", "text": "Follow up to this - Is it worth it to spend the $996 vs $597 for the Accelerator + classes to get lifetime downloads and updates to their models? Or in your experience, at this point is it more beneficial to take the regular course and build your own?", "replies": [{"id": "fr12jey", "text": "Sorry for late reply.  That\u2019s up to you,  I think in the RE world there will most definitely be times you need to customize and build your own model, but I have been using an upgraded version of one (resi model) that\u2019s been with my company for years.  Most firms will have a model for you.  For the back of the napkin quick studies I use some of the models on this website.\n\nI also believe the models on the website are pay what you can, which is pretty cool.  So if you did the cheaper option and then paid a lesser amount for select models that could be a good hybrid option. \n\nBest of luck.", "replies": [{"id": "fr1gxoi", "text": "Much appreciated.", "replies": [], "depth": 4}], "depth": 3}], "depth": 2}], "depth": 1}, {"id": "fqbl46n", "text": "ULI has some good courses. I haven't taken any, but they read as if they would be worthwhile.", "replies": [{"id": "fqblu3b", "text": "God no, don't do this.  They are overpriced, and the modeling you'll learn is rudimentary at best.  Really terrible choice IMO, you're better off watching Youtube videos.  They don't teach you how to model, only use their models, which aren't very versatile.", "replies": [{"id": "fqbojzf", "text": "Agreed", "replies": [{"id": "fqbwp9s", "text": "I appreciate the feedback. I haven't done any of the classes, but have checked them out. This sounds similar to CCIM classes. I do however like ULI for networking purposes.", "replies": [], "depth": 4}], "depth": 3}, {"id": "fqbw31q", "text": "How is break into CRE?", "replies": [{"id": "fqbxsq1", "text": "I don\u2019t know, never took them, but based on where students work, it seems good.  Then again, it doesn\u2019t say where those students when to school, whether they worked there before they took the course, or how many didn\u2019t get a job.  \n\nAlso, I\u2019m sure ULI could make a similar list of companies that sport the same impressive list.  I know that there were several analysts from great companies there when I took the course, so be weary of paying out of pocket for these classes.\n\nI\u2019ve said it before, and I\u2019ll say it again, these courses will never replace experience.  If I\u2019ve got two people, one whose worked at a shop, and another with a bunch of these courses taken, I\u2019m taking the experience.  But, all things being equal, this wouldn\u2019t hurt, and may influence the hiring manager in your favor if they appreciate these programs.\n\nBut I wouldn\u2019t pay my own money for these, unless you really have no choice.", "replies": [{"id": "fqby4m9", "text": "I really want to be an analyst but I have no prior experience. My plan is to take these courses and do case studies if I can so I can add it to my resume to show potential employers I know what I\u2019m doing. It\u2019s hard to find an internship right now sadly.", "replies": [{"id": "fqbymzc", "text": "I\u2019m going to be honest, but please know this is just my point of view.  Getting a job is going to be about what school you went to, what your GPA was, and what you\u2019ve been doing since you graduated.  \n\nIf you want to DM me, I\u2019ll be happy to provide more insight, but if you went to a low ranking school, with a low GPA, and haven\u2019t been working in real estate, unless you know someone, it\u2019s going to be really difficult.  Adding some CRE modeling courses will not make you any more hireable.  \n\nNow if you went to a strong school, have a high GPA, but don\u2019t have experience, then they could help, but won\u2019t carry a lot of weight other than showing a desire to keep learning, which is good.", "replies": [{"id": "fqc50p1", "text": "Curious to know what your background is for CRE. I'm currently on the debt side, but have been intrigued by getting into development. Tough though in terms of really selling my relevant debt-side experience on the development side.", "replies": [{"id": "fqc8833", "text": "I\u2019ve been in CRE for almost my entire career.  I\u2019ve been at private equity, brokerage, REITs, and retail, both in the US and internationally.  \n\nWith your background, you can definitely come in.  You have relevant experience, and should be able to bring a book of contacts from your role on the debt side.  I would focus on acquisitions, especially because you\u2019ll know what the lender needs to see in order to secure debt.  \n\nYou\u2019ll need to build your development experience, might he a good time to get your MRED.", "replies": [{"id": "fqc8o8a", "text": "I've looked at MRED as there is a good local program, but had to put it off due to building a family. It's a great reminder to take a look at that once my kids don't shit their pants anymore. My debt experience is pretty niche in terms of the specific type of debt we provide, but my experience has been multifamily and healthcare (skilled nursing, assisted living). I've worked on a ton of substantial rehabilitation projects with LIHTC and sub debt, so affordable housing has kind of been my bread and butter. Appreciate the vote of confidence.", "replies": [], "depth": 9}], "depth": 8}], "depth": 7}], "depth": 6}], "depth": 5}], "depth": 4}], "depth": 3}, {"id": "fqbxbq3", "text": "Thanks for the heads up. We have a subscription and I thought about going through the certificate courses.", "replies": [{"id": "fqbxy26", "text": "If your firm will pay, then by all means do it.  Good change to network.  But don\u2019t expect to get much out of it in terms of really knowing how to model.  Honestly, the YouTube tutorials are better than ULI\u2019s classes, and it\u2019s free.", "replies": [], "depth": 4}], "depth": 3}], "depth": 2}], "depth": 1}, {"id": "fqbo8bi", "text": "What are your guys\u2019 thoughts on BIWS\u2019s real estate modeling course?", "replies": [{"id": "fqc7sx5", "text": "Very REIT focused and not as focused on asset-level modeling. Good fit for REIB guys and people targeting funds focused on entity-level investments, but if you're more interested in individual assets not as great.", "replies": [], "depth": 2}], "depth": 1}]