Training Course: Introduction to the Real Estate Finance Industry

I just got back from the intro mortgage banking class. It’s a good class (pretty intense) with some good instructors from the industry. While parts of the class were pretty esoteric (present valuation models of servicing portfolios, for example), the class also provided an overview of the players in the industry, their (love/hate) relationships, and some of their general processes. I recommend that you take the course soon, because I think it gives us an excellent background for our observational research with industry professionals.

The class is intense with lots of reading material. It’s mostly lecture in format; so be prepared to sit for long periods of time. The interchange with instructors and students was open and encouraged. Sometimes this got in the way of the class message, because some FM people like to hear themselves talk. On the other hand it was great to hear the mortgage banker perspective, then the FM response. In the process, you learn a lot about FM’s business, too, which can’t hurt.

If you want more information about the class, I have the notes and the textbook at my desk. I’d be happy to talk with you about it. My advice: enroll and attend. Some last words: the food was good. The instructors were engaging. The shuttle out to Herndon was a little piece of heaven.