What’s the best next step to get into a Real Estate Development position?
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[{"id": "gofc483", "text": "Being an analyst is a good start to understanding the numbers in development.  If you want to get into the development side, I would try to get into a PM position with a smaller development firm to get some experience or a junior PM at a bigger firm.\n\nif you are just looking to get into acquisition side of development, just seek an Investment Analyst position at a firm as you will naturally get some exposure to the deal side of things.", "replies": [{"id": "gofchwc", "text": "Hey thanks for your reply and advice, I really appreciate it. I\u2019m assuming there is a an acquisition side and actual development side then? One being actually being involved in the development and sale of the property and the other being purchasing the investment as an acquisition for a firm? \n\nAlso, do you have any advice on job titles to search for Development based positions? I\u2019m been searching \u201cDevelopment Analyst\u201d and not getting many hits", "replies": [{"id": "gofdckb", "text": "Selectleaders.com , filter job search by \u201cDevelopment\u201d", "replies": [], "depth": 3}, {"id": "gojpe4a", "text": "Yes acquisition would be looking at a site and determining the residual land value and trying to acquire it for development - so taking it through due diligence and lining up the capital stack.  \n\nOnce you close on the property, you would hand it over to the development team.  They would then work with the architects and dozens of consultants to design the project and take it through the city process to obtaining approvals.  You would then need to build the project and then work on the exit, which could be lease the building and sell (or direct sale if condo), or recapitalize the project in some way.\n\nDepending on the firm, that could be different roles seeing out each step or one role seeing through start to finish.  \n\nFor job title searches, you are looking for a Development Manager position for development or just Analyst at any development firm.", "replies": [], "depth": 3}], "depth": 2}], "depth": 1}, {"id": "gofdt5m", "text": "Hmm well why real estate development?", "replies": [{"id": "gofe2ku", "text": "I just found that particular function within the CRE world pretty interesting", "replies": [{"id": "goffjpb", "text": "It can be. As the world is shaped it needs to be cared for. Both of those positions tend to deal more with the financial side of things.", "replies": [], "depth": 3}, {"id": "goffktm", "text": "Hmm. That response is not whats going to open doors into development. Think storyteller too. Art and science of the deal. Jazz it up, get attention. \n\nI'm saying this with little experience, so I could be quite wrong.", "replies": [{"id": "goffo6r", "text": "Lol I wasn\u2019t answering an interview question, was just my general truthful opinion.", "replies": [{"id": "gofg307", "text": "Everything is an interview, always. Never know who is willing to open a door.\n\nAnd if you ever are asked this question in an interview DO NOT say because real estate is \"more\" tangible.\n\nABCs - Always Be Closing", "replies": [], "depth": 5}], "depth": 4}], "depth": 3}], "depth": 2}], "depth": 1}, {"id": "gofwoh9", "text": "Investment Analyst at a REIT here.\n\nIt definitely could be worth going to a smaller firm to get more exposure to the areas that you want to learn and hopefully do some day. In my role I work with some our development team very closely on new development acquisitions, but it\u2019s probably not enough that I could move teams. I\u2019d probably have to keep at it for the next few years and learn.\n\nIs there anyone you know who could mentor you?", "replies": [{"id": "gognlno", "text": "That\u2019s a food point and something I\u2019ll definitely take into consideration. Off the top of my head though but I feel like opportunities for that are out there. I\u2019d love to find a mentor to guide me, but quite a hard time to find someone to meet with at the moment!", "replies": [{"id": "gognw22", "text": "Is there anyone at your company that might be willing for an hour each week?", "replies": [{"id": "gogo2nj", "text": "I\u2019m currently working at a GSE so unfortunately we don\u2019t have a development team or even an acquisitions team for that matter. My best bet would be to network or reach out to someone through LinkedIn I believe", "replies": [], "depth": 4}], "depth": 3}], "depth": 2}, {"id": "gogpat7", "text": "Yeah that could be a good idea. Otherwise I could imagine that getting an underwriting job at a developer could be a really great option", "replies": [], "depth": 2}], "depth": 1}]