The steps to become a real estate analyst may vary depending on the company, but most employers require that you have at least a bachelor's degree in finance with a background in real estate. The primary duties of a real estate analyst are to assess risk and analyze profit margins of real estate investments. Some companies that employ this position include banks, investment firms, and property management companies. A background in finance is generally important to become a real estate analyst because you may be required to research marketing trends and perform other tasks within the financial market.
Prerequisites for coursework in finance are usually based on mathematics and statistics. Some field related courses that you may need to take include financial analysis for investors and lenders, introduction to investments, and business finance. These introductory courses may be able to prepare you for detailed coursework in the field including real estate valuation, real estate investment analysis, and real estate finance. A degree program that combines finance and real estate can prepare you for internships or part-time employment in the field, which may help you become a real estate analyst. You may also want to consider keeping up-to-date with market trends by subscribing to field-related newsletters and magazines.
Internships may be offered by different companies in the field including commercial or residential real estate firms and banks. Some of these internships may combine intense mentoring, on-the-job training sessions, and practice projects. You may be able to work directly with senior analysts and assist with risk assessment research. Observing the field first-hand may be able to prepare you to become a real estate analyst and help you build your experience history. Most internships may last the duration of a semester and some universities accept internships as credits towards your degree.
In addition to school and training, there are lower level positions in the field that may prepare you to become a real estate analyst. Jobs that you may want to consider applying for while in college include associate financial analyst, real estate agent, or property manager. Depending on your location, you may want to research licensing requirements for these positions. Once you have completed your degree program and gained experience in the field, you should begin searching for employment on Internet job sites and in local classified ads. You should also inquire about employment from local banks, real estate agencies, and investment firms.