Commercial real estate is an important component of the real estate industry and remains a bedrock of the U.S. economy. Because of its complexity and high entry costs, it is not always easy to invest in commercial real estate. This course explains the many avenues to investing in this asset class, including direct ownership, private equity funds, and real estate investment trusts. It also explains how crowdfunding has made commercial real estate investing accessible to individuals with fewer financial resources.

Upon completion, students will be able to:

• discuss the different types of commercial real estate properties and their investment characteristics
• describe the different investment vehicles for commercial real estate properties
• explain how REITs operate and compare the different amounts of investor involvement in management and selection
• discuss the different ways that commercial real estate properties are financed
• explain the steps in the commercial real estate investing process
• recognize the basic legal issues involved with buying commercial real estate and standard parts of the contract used to purchase property

Real estate brokers and salespersons who are interested in learning more about the commercial real estate market in the United States.