Real Estate and Housing Focused Courses

REAL*1820 Real Estate and Housing
This survey course acquaints students with the theories, practices and principles of real estate and housing. Topics include how real estate assets and markets differ from other assets, government involvement in the housing and real estate sectors, non-market housing in Canada, financing real estate, and development.

REAL*2850 Service Learning in Housing
This course provides an introduction to ethics and social capital as they apply to the housing and real estate industries. Students will be required to participate in a 10-15 hour service learning exercise where they volunteer for a frontline housing agency/provider. They will then share their experiences with their classmates during the final week of classes.

REAL*2820 Real Estate Finance
This course examines the financing of both residential and commercial investment real estate. A mathematical approach is used to examine the impact of various lender and borrower decisions about loan terms (amortization periods, pre-payment options, etc.). The evolution of the Canadian housing finance system is contrasted with that in the United States. New methods of financing real estate other than traditional mortgages are discussed.

REAL*3810 Real Estate Market Analysis
In this course students examine the processes used to analyze supply and demand in the real estate market. The course focuses on using research methodologies to define the scope of analysis; identify data needs; collect information from various sources, including on-line resources; and interpret the results. Applications to different property types are discussed. Current market trends are also examined. As well, the course deals with marketing real estate: listing procedures, advertising, negotiating.

REAL*3890 Property Management
Financial theory is used to examine the diversification benefits of including real estate with financial assets in an investment portfolio. Diversification strategies within a real estate portfolio are also covered. The marketing and leasing of real estate space culminates in a leasing negotiation exercise between pairs of students. Differing property management issues faced by managers of residential, office, retail, industrial and mixed use properties are covered.

REAL*4820 Real Estate Appraisal
This course deals with the basic principles involved in valuing real estate. The market comparison, cost and income approaches of appraisal are covered. The major emphasis in the course is on using discounted cash flow projections to value income-producing real estate. The term project involves the use of a spreadsheet program to estimate property value for a property chosen by the student. While valuation of single family homes is covered, the main emphasis is on investment real estate.

REAL*4830 Real Estate Development Project
This is a capstone course covering the real estate development process and bringing together concepts from all other Real Estate and Housing courses. It deals with the development, redevelopment and renewal of real estate and housing services. Students will complete a phased project that considers all aspects of development feasibility including market analysis, physical constraints, financial viability and government regulation. (First offering – Winter 2015)

REAL*4840 Housing and Real Estate Law
This course lays out the legal principles which guide the expanding and changing body of law dealing with housing and real estate development and forms of occupancy; statutory and regulatory matters are explored.