Transitioning into Real Estate Development. Background in Economic Development, Urban and Transportation Planning.
As the title suggests, I have 9 years experience between Urban and Transportation Planning with the last 2 plus years in Economic Development. CRE has peaked my interest the last couple of years. I would like to get more into pushing projects than being a middle man or setting the the parameters with urban planning. To give a quick background on me, I have a BS in Political Science, and Masters in Public Administration. I have GIS certificate from Michigan State. I completed a PMP approved course through Syracuse earlier this year, but have not taken the exam yet. I’m a certified Economic Developer through IEDC and Professional Transportation Planner through IEDC. I am also familiar with fiscal and economic impact modeling.

I feel like there is a lot of interrelatedness with my background and real estate development. I managed, marketed and worked on infrastructure projects for our city owned industrial park. 

Looking at some positions out there in the non-profit and public sector agencies, I feel like I have a good framework for development. However, there are some areas where I lack education such as underwriting, CAP rates, cash flow waterfalls, market analysis. I’m somewhat familiar with Microsoft Project from some transpiration projects we worked. I’m not familiar at all with Argus Developer or Enterprise at all. I did take a 3 and a half full day course on Credit Analysis to get my CEcD designation. However, I feel like public sector analysis is more comfortable with breaking even and less involved. 

I have taken some budgeting, accounting, and several stats courses. However, I have not taken Calculus and would be over my head in deep financial modeling.

Please let me know your thoughts and if there are any credible programs or certificates you would recommend to bridge this gap.
[{"id": "iq4k5l4", "text": "You seem to have a great background and I believe it will be beneficial to developers. For the general brokerage part, once you pass your exam and know the basics, 90% is going to be on the job learning. The exam really just covers NAR rules and regs and a basic overview of property law. You don\u2019t really learn much at all about brokerage in preparing for an exam aside from your ethical and legal obligations. Certainly necessary, but you\u2019ll learn once you\u2019re in the position.\n\nAs for the analytic/valuation side I would recommend getting versed in cash flow calculations. I\u2019ve recommended a few books on brokerage and the numbers for you below. Aside from that with your accreditations I\u2019d look into CCIM, they do a fantastic job of teaching the core principles of real estate in their 4 main courses; Financial Analysis, Market Analysis, User-Decision Analysis &amp; Investment Analysis. If you want to get the designation you\u2019ll need to take all 4 and a negoations training along with the comprehensive exam, but you can always take those courses or a plethora of other courses/webinars individually if you\u2019d like. With your background from the sounds of it, I don\u2019t anticipate you\u2019ll have any troubles with the financial metrics, most of the commonly used ones are very simple algebra and almost all of the more complicated ones (well pretty much all of them in general) can be done on excel programs or other calculators.\n\nBooks/resources;\n\nValue Added-Brad Umansky: great comprehensive book on commercial property brokerage fundamentals as well as great suggestions on best practices.\n\nWhat Every Real Estate Investor Needs to Know About Cash Flow by Frank Gallinelli: goes over cash flow analysis and many other financial measures that you will use throughout your career. From the perspective of an investor which is a fantastic mindset to have in the CRE world.\n\nA Master Guide to Income Property Brokerage by John Peckham: John is a CCIM member and instructor and wrote this book on income property brokerage and is a good general reference.", "replies": [], "depth": 1}, {"id": "iq4ox3u", "text": "Do you want to work on public or private side?", "replies": [{"id": "iq4ymfz", "text": "I\u2019ve got about 4 years later where I am obligated to the public sector, government or non-profit. This is because I\u2019m doing the SLRP program to pay my student loans.", "replies": [{"id": "iq66aap", "text": "Right there with you, though I\u2019m 15 months out. Starting the feel the itch, as well. Looking at real estate brokerage more so than development. Background is planning/economic development.", "replies": [{"id": "iqeesm3", "text": "Man that\u2019s good to hear. You\u2019ve got a bigger light at the end of the tunnel than I do. Are you looking at any coursework to shore yourself up and make the transition?\n\nI feel like my background would be helpful, but I\u2019m lacking in the modeling and underwriting aspects of CRE.", "replies": [], "depth": 4}], "depth": 3}], "depth": 2}], "depth": 1}]