At first glance, you might think that a real estate portfolio manager is similar to any financial asset manager. But real estate equity portfolio or funds management differs radically from managing equities, bonds or mutual funds.
Unlike equity managers, who research companies and manage the probabilities that they can fufill their articulated strategies, real estate managers must help define and take advantages of opportunities on the property level. Real estate managers are not only responsible for asset allocation, risk management and transactions, but also for dealing directly with the land and structures on it.
So real estate asset management, unlike traditional money management, requires experienced individuals who can optimize the value of properties. In fact, in many ways, a real estate asset manager is a lot like a corporate CEO, running a company or a facility. In contrast, a traditional money manager might know the stocks of a certain field or sector – but doesnt get involved in the operations of the companies themselves.
Think a career in real estate portfolio management might be right for you? Read on to learn more.
2 Minute Drill – Real Estate Portfolio Management Overview
What does a real estate portfolio manager do?
Here is a list of job duties for a portfolio manager:
What is a portfolio manager in real estate?
A portfolio manager in real estate is a professional who combines their expertise in real estate and finance to oversee and optimize real estate investments for their clients. They can analyze the risks and opportunities of real estate investments to determine when to buy or sell assets. Portfolio managers can also advise clients on their real estate investment portfolios. These professionals can specialize in managing portfolios of specific types of real estate, like residential or commercial properties.
How to become a real estate portfolio manager
Below is a list of steps you can take to become a portfolio manager in real estate:
1. Earn a bachelors degree
The first step to becoming a portfolio manager in real estate is to earn an undergraduate degree. Here are a few degree options for aspiring real estate portfolio managers:
2. Gain experience
Gaining the expertise in both real estate and finance thats required of a portfolio manager career can pose a challenge. One solution to this challenge is to gain experience through internships, job shadowing and mentoring opportunities while earning a bachelors degree. Here are tips for finding these opportunities:
3. Earn a masters degree
Optionally, you can earn a masters degree to expand your real estate investment expertise. This process can take about two years to complete. Here are a few benefits to earning a masters degree for a real estate investment career:
4. Write a resume
Next, you can write a resume that demonstrates your expertise in finance and real estate. Here are a few tips for writing a successful portfolio manager resume:
5. Apply to jobs
After you gain the necessary qualifications, you can use your resume to apply to portfolio management jobs within the real estate industry. To learn about open positions, you can network with other real estate and finance professionals. You can also check online job boards to discover job opportunities in this field.
Portfolio manager vs. asset manager in real estate
Here are a few of the similarities and differences between portfolio managers and asset managers in the real estate industry:
Purpose
The primary purpose of a portfolio managers job differs from that of an asset manager. Portfolio managers focus on the success of properties as investments, while asset managers oversee property management on a large scale to develop business plans and handle property leases.
Duties
Due to the different focuses of asset managers and portfolio managers, an asset managers duties differ from those of a portfolio manager in real estate. Here are the primary duties of an asset manager:
Working relationships
Often, portfolio managers and asset managers in real estate can work together to make decisions about a propertys value in a portfolio. These professionals can often work for the same real estate investment firm or property management company.
Where do real estate portfolio managers work?
Here are a few examples of companies that hire real estate portfolio managers:
Salary and job outlook for a portfolio manager
Here are skills you can use in this career:
FAQ
Is portfolio manager same as property manager?
What is the major role of the portfolio manager?
What is a portfolio in real estate?
What does portfolio manager mean?
