Property research in the real world: practical applications

Research plays a key role in businesses involved in the global property market. Effective property researchers provide advice and analysis that informs investment decisions, impacting on the bottom line.

This short course equips you with the skills you need to take your career in property research to the next level. The course takes place at Madingley Hall, a Grade 1 listed building three miles west of Cambridge. Fees include all teaching, meals and one night’s accommodation.

What will I be studying?

The course is divided into three modules:

1. What is property research?

• An outline of property research
• Practical research methods
• Where property research is applied and for whom
• Framing research questions in a property context
• The research and investment process

2. Applied research methods

• Key metrics and variables
• Property data sources
• Global differences in data and definitions
• Identifying key trends and market drivers
• Introduction to valuation methods

3. Property investment and strategy

• The global property market
• The strategy and research process: building a portfolio by country, sector, vehicle and capital structure
• Benchmarking property performance

At the end of the course you will participate in a practical team exercise. You will be using applied research methods to create a market strategy with the guidance of an industry team leader.

Key learning outcomes

• Understand the role of property research
• Learn how to frame research questions
• Understand the key metrics, variables and data sources
• Learn how to identify key trends and market drivers
• Understand the research considerations in creating a strategy

Teaching staff

• Professor Colin Lizieri (Course Director), Grosvenor Professor of Real Estate Finance at the Department of Land Economy, University of Cambridge
• Dr Robin Goodchild,  Visiting Professor at the University of Aberdeen Business School
• Andrew Smith, Chief Investment Officer, Hearthstone Investments plc and President of SPR
• Professor Andrew Baum, Chairman of Property Funds Research.

For more information about this course, you can either:

1. Email [email protected]
2. Call +44 (0)1223 760859.

There is a special ‘early-bird’ rate for SPR members and a discount.

A certificate of attendance will be given to participants who complete the course.

Entry and attendance requirements

The course is suitable for anyone with property research and/or industry experience.  All teaching will be in English, so you must feel confident that you are able to follow lectures and classes and take part in discussions in English.

Virtual Learning Environment (VLE)

The Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) is the Institute of Continuing Education's secure online resource space. You'll be able to download reading materials and find links to relevant external resources as well as keeping in touch with your fellow delegates.