Real estate finance and investment are an important part of the world economy.

It propels businesses, drives international investment and trade, and influences decision-makers around the globe. Vibrant careers are available in real estate finance, investment, mortgage lending, REITs and appraisal.

REIT’s are an important part of the economy
REITs are an important part of the economy, investors’ portfolio and local communities. REITs own more than $3 trillion in gross real estate assets.
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Commercial Real Estate Finance (CREF) Careers
There’s a place for everyone in the $3 trillion commercial real estate finance (CREF) industry.
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Appraisal services are in demand.
The industry is on the upswing. There are independent fee appraiser jobs as well as positions with large companies and government agencies to consider. Appraisal review is a growing field within financial institutions, as well.
Appraisers have solid earning potential.
Most everywhere you work there is good earning potential. In 2017 the median salary among commercial appraisers was more than $70,000. Some people combine appraisal with related work to further bolster their incomes.
CCIM Institute’s Student Membership
Exploring Careers in Commercial Real Estate
The CCIM Foundation Diversity Scholarship Program
Advice for young professionals looking to advance their careers in commercial real estate
What’s a REIT (Real Estate Investment Trust)?
Regional Vice President Shares Her Career Path at Public Storage
REITs Take Steps to Increase Industry Diversity
What’s the best part of being an appraiser? Three appraisers share their perspectives.
What’s an Appraisal? FAQs
Open the Door to a World of Career Opportunity
REITs are adding more women then men as directors to their boards,
What’s a REIT? Watch the video.
The talent pool for commercial real estate professionals is dwindling
What’s it like to be a real estate appraiser?
Where real estate meets high finance

Real Estate Appraisal

Appraisers are an important contributor to the real estate industry because they estimate the value of all kinds of property from homes to large office buildings and beyond. The role of the appraiser is to provide objective, impartial and unbiased opinions about the value of real property — providing assistance to those who own, manage, sell, invest in and/or lend money on the security of real estate.  In addition to residential and/or commercial appraisals — and depending upon an appraiser’s designation and qualifications — he or she can provide/assist with some or all of the following:

  • Estate planning and estate settlements
  • Tax assessment review and advice
  • Advice in eminent domain and condemnation property transactions
  • Dispute resolution — including divorce, estate settlements, property partition suits, foreclosures and zoning issues
  • Feasibility studies
MORE ABOUT REAL ESTATE APPRAISAL

Commercial Real Estate Finance

Commercial Real Estate Finance (CREF) is a $10 trillion industry, employing 340,000 professionals and growing. There are many career paths to follow - with jobs that fit a large variety of goals, personalities and backgrounds. With a career in residential mortgage banking, you can make a good living by helping others improve their standard of living and realize the dream of homeownership. Commercial real estate finance combines the worlds of real estate development, management and ownership with high finance. With more than $3 trillion in mortgage debt outstanding, the market is huge, and dynamic. Wall Street conduits, international and community banks, life insurance companies, government-sponsored entities, debt funds and others all play important roles in the space.
MORE ABOUT REAL ESTATE FINANCE

Commercial Real Estate Investment

Commercial real estate has reached a new era. Global investors are chasing yield in secondary markets, cash flow has become as important as cap rate compression, and a flight to quality has replaced portfolio and entity-level transactions. Now more than ever, the industry needs local expertise skilled in analysis, asset management, and appreciation.

With markets changing rapidly, several commercial real estate professionals are finding new ways to adapt successfully to these constant evolutions. Trends such as vibrant downtowns, alternative lending, property and land reuse, and international investment in the U.S. can be ideal springboards for new business opportunities.

MORE ABOUT REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT

Real Estate Investment Trusts (REIT)

A REIT (Real Estate Investment Trust) is a company that owns, operates or finances income-producing real estate. REITs provide all investors the chance to own valuable real estate, present the opportunity to access dividend-based income and total returns, and help communities grow, thrive and revitalize. These publicly traded companies offer diverse career opportunities and are constantly recruiting for high potential talent. REITs are an important part of the economy, investors’ portfolios and local communities. Taken individually, a single REIT-owned property can change the entire complexion of a neighborhood. When viewed as an entire industry, REITs significantly contribute to the tax base, job market and community.
MORE ABOUT REITs

Explore Career News & Insights

Real Estate Appraisal, Commercial Real Estate Finance, Commercial Real Estate Investment & Real Estate Investment Trusts

CCIM Institute’s Student Membership
Calling all undergrad and graduate real estate students! Ready to expand your professional circle? Join The CCIM Institute's Student Membership today to get exclusive discounts on educational course(s).
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Exploring Careers in Commercial Real Estate
There are many exciting and diverse careers in commercial real estate (CRE), including architecture, brokerage, construction and development, law, property and asset management.
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The CCIM Foundation Diversity Scholarship Program
The CCIM Foundation Diversity Scholarship Program helps foster an inclusive commercial real estate professional community. Up to 25 scholarships will be awarded annually to qualifying applicants to pay for CCIM designation course fees
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Advice for young professionals looking to advance their careers in commercial real estate
During a conversation with Nareit’s REIT Report, American Finance Trust, Inc. CEO Michael Weil offered advice for young professionals looking to advance their careers in commercial real estate.
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What’s a REIT (Real Estate Investment Trust)?
In the U.S., REITs support more than two million full-time jobs, including brokers, investor relations, accountants, architects, designers, financial analysts, property managers, marketers, developers, human resources, and more.
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Regional Vice President Shares Her Career Path at Public Storage
REITTalent series shines a spotlight on talent in the REIT industry and the unique career paths individuals have taken. Meet Sara Shirazi, regional vice president at Public Storage.
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REITs Take Steps to Increase Industry Diversity
Read how REITs are taking steps to increase industry diversity by prioritizing efforts to examine ways in which they can do more to address lingering inequality.
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What’s the best part of being an appraiser? Three appraisers share their perspectives.
What’s your favorite part of being an appraiser? Three appraisers share their perspectives in the Appraisal Institute’s latest video. Can you spot the common thread among all three answers?
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What’s an Appraisal? FAQs
What is an appraisal? An appraisal is the act or process of developing an opinion of value. The preparation of an appraisal involves research into appropriate market areas; the assembly and analysis of information pertinent to a property; and the knowledge, experience and professional judgment of the appraiser. What is the role of the appraiser?
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Open the Door to a World of Career Opportunity
Commercial Real Estate Finance (CREF) is a $10 trillion industry, employing 340,000 professionals and growing. There are many career paths to follow - with jobs that fit a large variety of goals, personalities and backgrounds.
Read More
REITs are adding more women then men as directors to their boards,
Public real-estate companies are adding slightly more women than men as directors to their boards.
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What’s a REIT? Watch the video.
REITs, or real estate investment trusts, are companies that own or finance income-producing real estate in a range of property sectors. These companies have to meet a number of requirements to qualify as REITs. Most REITs trade on major stock exchanges, and they offer a number of benefits to investors.
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Things You Can Do to Advance Your Career

Explore Industry Job Openings

Designed for both job seekers, AI gives job seekers the tools they need to find — and land — appraisal positions.
EXPLORE JOBS
Search CCIM Institute's job board and connect with professionals in the commercial real estate profession.
EXPLORE JOBS
Browse a range of job listings and get career advice from members in office, retail, healthcare, self-storage and more.
EXPLORE JOBS

Things You Can Do to Advance Your Career

Join a Student Organization

Full-time college students and instructors can join CCIM Institute as Academic members to grow their commercial real estate network.
BECOME A STUDENT MEMBER

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