Stan Melton Chair in Real Estate

​

Certificate in Real Estate/MBA Real Estate Stream

The Certificate in Real Estate and MBA Real Estate Stream provides Bachelor of Commerce and Masters students the opportunity for a broad based education in real estate economics, finance, law and development preparing them for a range of careers in the real estate industry. The courses are a mix of theory and practice involving case studies and/or team projects offering students hands-on preparation for their careers.

 

Real Estate Principles (BUEC 454/610)

This course is an overview course covering selected topics including property rights and land title, urban growth and the markets for land, zoning and land use, market analysis of different types of real estate uses including office, industrial, retail and residential, the analysis of housing markets including price indexes and tenure choice, real estate valuation and appraisal concepts, land leases, transportation, issues of sustainability and the use of green technology in real estate and native or aboriginal rights and land markets.  A basic investment model is introduced providing insight into the valuation process for income producing real estate.  This is meant to be a stand-alone course for those students interested in a broad-based understanding of real estate markets, the role of real estate in the economy, the regulation of real estate markets and basic investment concepts.

​

Real Estate Asset Strategies (BUEC 455/611)

This course provides exposure to theory, fundamentals and methods in real estate finance and investment. The topics covered in the course include real estate investment analysis and valuation, real estate entities and taxation, real estate finance, leases and corporate real estate and the finance of real estate development.  The orientation is toward the analysis of income producing property types. There will also be an introduction to real estate capital markets. Time will be devoted to single family housing market and the home building industry. The course covers a critical set of analytic techniques and concepts essential for students planning careers in almost any aspect of real estate.  It is also a valuable course for finance majors who may become involved with real estate at the corporate level or alternatively as investors, investment advisors or providers of capital.  This course is designed to provide the student with essential tools to understand how the value of income producing real estate is determined, created and influenced.  Students use Argus Software to analyze real estate cases.

​

Real Estate Development (457/613)

This course provides students the opportunity to learn about and experience the real estate development process.  Real estate development is a process during which the entrepreneur typically identifies a site which is underutilized, undertakes the necessary conceptual, design, market, economic, and financial analysis and brings the site to its highest and best use.  The ‘learning’ component is a review of topics related to urban and real estate economics, finance, engineering, architecture and planning which have application in land development decision-making .  Examples of topics included in this component are market analysis of demand and supply of different types of real estate uses (e.g., alternative residential or commercial uses), cost estimation and deal structuring and financial analysis of to-be-built properties. The ‘experience’ component involves working in teams to undertake a feasibility study of a development opportunity.  The students in teams undertake the background research and feasibility analysis related to a site and then make a final competitive proposal to the instructor and a team of adjudicators.​

​

Legal Issues in Real Estate (BLAW 456/612)

Real estate law as it applies to business decisions in real estate.  Property rights and land title, legal aspects of:

1) Real estate transactions including sale and leasing of property

2) Real estate finance

3) Entitlement and land use

4) The environment

Transactional real estate includes lease agreements, purchase and sale agreements, agency, mortgages and deeds of trust, partnership agreements, construction contracts, builder’s liens and condominium law.  The entitlement process includes all aspects of real estate development including land use planning and zoning, infrastructure, acquisition of development permits and building permits, subdivision and the planning process.  Relevant environmental laws and aboriginal laws are included. Prerequisite: BLAW 301

​

For further information on the certificate in real estate and real estate stream, please visit:

https://www.ualberta.ca/business/programs/real-estate-program. 

​