
Real Estate Finance Fundamentals
Learn the primary steps in the real estate financing processes, using examples from many asset types and discussing globally applicable principles.
This program takes place right after Real Estate Development Fundamentals (June 3 & 4, 2025).
Curious about what to expect when coming to campus? Please visit our Campus Learning page.
This short program will present critical “nuts-and-bolts” real estate finance principles and practices in a simple, understandable, and interactive manner that will demystify the real estate financing process—regardless of participants’ prior real estate finance experience.
We will focus on real estate finance fundamentals that are important to either develop and/or invest in varied types of real estate assets, or to enhance your ability to understand how real estate finance fundamentals relate to your primary role as a member of a real estate development or investment team, all with emphasis on understanding how real estate value is created, measured, and managed.
What to Expect

Interactive group exercises and lively classroom discussion
Instructor

David Smith
Founder and CEO, Affordable Housing Institute (AHI)
The Harvard GSD Real Estate Finance Fundamentals course helped both validate and improve the way we assess the financial impact of corporate real estate investment opportunities. We also thoroughly enjoyed the diversity of the course participants, both in terms of nationality and work experience, and look forward to attending other GSD real estate oriented courses in the near future.
Jeff Ammon, Regions Bank
Participant Stories

Adrian Elosua
Co-founder | Vinson Capital

Anthony Leighs
Founder and Managing Director | Leighs Construction Limited

Jake Leonard
Project Manager | Wallick Construction

Heather McGinn-Girón, AIA, NOMA
Founding Principal | Studio Even Odd Architecture and Design

Joanne Thorlby
Operations at Watson Group (New Zealand)

Ikenna Udejiofor
Administrator | Prince George’s County Government, Office of Central Services
2025 Session Participant Feedback
I was skeptical of this course but it was worth every penny. This course was a launching point for me as I started a new journey in real estate. I’ll remember the people and the instructor more than anything, and that’s real value.
David can take a difficult subject and deliver the materials in a clear and concise manner. There were multiple moments in this course where we were able to connect the materials to our current business venture. I would recommend anyone that is interested in the market or field to take the course.
An excellent, insightful, thoughtful course that’s a huge value add.
For practitioners on real estate development wanting to refresh, a very useful and effective course.
– 2025 participants in the program
Registration is closed
Real Estate Finance Fundamentals
June 5 & 6, 2025 | 9:00am – 5:00pm Eastern
On Campus
Tuition: $2,050
CEUs: 14 AIA LUs , 14 AICP/CM, 14 LA/CES
AMDP Elective Units: 2
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Please sign up above if you would like to be notified when the next session is announced.
Discounts & Deadlines
Save 10% when you register for this program and Real Estate Development Fundamentals (June 3 & 4, 2025) at the same time.
Please email us at [email protected] with any questions and to ask about group signup.
Registration Deadline: 24 hours before the start of the program. However, due to a large number of events taking place in the area during this week, we recommend early registration and travel booking.