Can CRE employees make personal investments in commercial real estate
I’m a college student looking for full-time CRE roles and I could’ve sworn I heard my boss at my last internship say they couldn’t invest in apartments due to their job (multifamily development shop). I should’ve inquired specifically what they meant by that.

I’d figure that could be the result of a rule coming from three places: industry regulators, themselves, or the company.

I would appreciate anyone in CRE sharing if this is an industry standard, or whether your companies do or do not care if you invest in CRE.
[{"id": "ii0yojk", "text": "You can only do so much personal business. \nDon\u2019t expect to just sell to family and yourself. \nBut yes, it\u2019s normal to own some CRE.", "replies": [], "depth": 1}, {"id": "ii1azx5", "text": "RE is the Wild West compared to traditional financial roles - almost everyone of my higher ups have significant holding in CRE. Not sure if they can own the deals they are working on, but someone in the office definitely does.", "replies": [], "depth": 1}, {"id": "ii1e805", "text": "I haven't heard of this before, it's not like the financial services industry.  I think the only problem would be if you are buying or selling something to the firm you work, under your own authority, without disclosing it.", "replies": [], "depth": 1}, {"id": "ii1lexo", "text": "Most CRE folks do invest in RE or even get a percent of what they work on in higher levels of dev.  There isn't some law or regulation prohibiting this.  \n\nA specific company may have an issue I guess but yea don't feel like you can't invest if you are in this field.  The reverse is mostly true where clients and partners will be surprised and even judge you if you do not invest.", "replies": [], "depth": 1}, {"id": "ii1pzwa", "text": "Are you asking if you can partake in the deals? Or if you can invest on the side...", "replies": [{"id": "ii3rut3", "text": "I\u2019m asking if employees can invest on the side and acquire deals that have nothing to do with their company. I think it\u2019d be cool use my underwriting skills and other relevant CRE knowledge to buy a 12 unit or something with friends and family.", "replies": [{"id": "ii3skcg", "text": "I believe it would be fine as long the deal isn't sourced through company contacts. It might be an issue depending on what your position is: are you on the acquisitions team? Also, a \"small\" side project like that might not even be of interest to your company.\n\nI think in general that this might be more of an ethical vs legal debate.\n\nAvoid conflicts of interest and you'll most likely be golden.", "replies": [{"id": "ii5kdhi", "text": "Exactly. Everything from the broker to the lender to equity partners would have to be sourced elsewhere and be separate from the company\u2018s resources. Probably even the financial model used to underwrite the deal, as well. But if you can say you kept everything separate, I think you should be able to pull the trigger.", "replies": [], "depth": 4}], "depth": 3}], "depth": 2}], "depth": 1}, {"id": "ii2brzn", "text": "Many people have rolled their fee into a deal. However CBRE won\u2019t let you do that. Would have to be a boutique more entrepreneurial shop.", "replies": [], "depth": 1}, {"id": "ii5i8cp", "text": "One of the major benefits of knowing your product type so well is having the ability to see a good opportunity and purchase it for yourself (I am NOT suggesting you purchase one of your own LISTINGS....there is a difference). \n\nThe way to be successful in commercial real estate is to use your commissions to acquire assets so that you can create your own generational wealth and retire....instead of working into your 60's, 70's or 80's.", "replies": [], "depth": 1}]