Investing in Private Real Estate

Gaining an edge in selecting funds and assets thanks to state-of-the-art practice

Program flyer
Enroll now

Next available date: 23 March

Private real estate has become a cornerstone of institutional portfolios — offering diversification, inflation protection, and attractive long-term returns. Yet navigating this dynamic asset class requires more than market knowledge: investors must master fund structures, performance metrics, valuation techniques, and the dynamics driving global real estate markets.

Through a mix of lectures, case studies, and applied exercises, this intensive two-day program provides participants with a structured and practical understanding of the asset class — from its role in institutional portfolios to the mechanics of funds, strategies, and valuations.

How you will benefit

  • Understand the role of private real estate in asset allocation and portfolio construction
  • Explore strategies and instruments across global markets
  • Gain practical insights into fund economics, documentation, and performance measurement
  • Analyze market cycles and trends in Europe, APAC and the US
  • Compare valuation methods
  • Learn how to construct a global private RE portfolio

Program length
2 days

Day 1 09:00 – 17:30
Day 2 09:00 – 17:30

Next steps
We offer carefully crafted learning paths designed to help you dive deeper into various facets of finance. Take the next step in your professional learning path by choosing one or more of our specialized programs, for example:

> Fixed Income Investment
> Project Finance and PPPs

Day 1 | Morning

Introduction to Private Real Estate

  • The place of PRE in an asset allocation
  • Strategies and instruments
  • Funds, their functioning, their stakeholders and their ecosystem
  • J-curve, terms and economics
  • Sector (geographical breakdown, funds raised, invested, etc.)
  • Performance (IRR, TVPI, PME)
  • Time permitting: a small workshop on fund documentation

Day 1 | Afternoon

Real Estate Economics and Market Dynamics

  • Fundamentals of real estate economics (Di-Pasquale-Wheaton model)
  • Understanding how a shock impacts the different markets (rental, capital and construction markets)
  • The four real estate quadrants
  • Role of real estate financing (risks and returns)
  • Real estate metrics (cap rate, vacancy rates, overrent vs underrent, etc.)
  • Discussion of the different real estate sectors and their drivers
  • Cyclicality of real estate: discussion of major real estate boom and busts
  • Secular trends and their impact
  • Discussion of the recent trends in real estate markets in Europe, APAC and the US

Day 2 | Morning

Private Real Estate Investment Market

  • Real estate valuations: DCF, cap rate approach and international differences
  • Discussion of the different real estate styles (core, value add, opportunistic, RE debt)
  • Understanding the real estate value chain in core, value add and RE debt
  • Mapping of the current landscape of RE fund investment managers and funds
  • Funds vs direct deals, club structures and JVs
  • Recent capital raising trends and product and sector offerings
  • Real estate multi-managers: How to construct a global private RE portfolio
  • The art of due diligence (steps in DD, INREV questionnaire, assessment of track record

Day 2 | Afternoon

Business Case
The participants will be divided into groups and will take on the fictional role of a portfolio manager or investment team presenting a new fund to the investment committee (IC) of a pension fund, multi-manager, or family office as an addition to the existing portfolio. The participants must select from various funds and then prepare a 15-minute presentation for IC approval of the investment.

Program preparation

There is some preparatory work required for this program. Pre-readings consist of case materials, chapters of a book and/or a few articles. These materials will be made available on a password protected webpage a few weeks prior to the program.

To ensure maximum benefit from the program for participant and fellow-participants, we strongly advise to prepare prior to attending.

This program is designed for professionals in asset management, pension funds, family offices, and financial institutions who want to deepen their expertise in private real estate investment.

Please contact us should you feel the need to verify your level of knowledge.

Prerequisite
Proficiency in English is vital for following this training program effectively.

Is this program not the right fit for you?
We offer other programs which you might find more interesting or useful, such as:

> Private Equity
> Entrepreneurial Finance: Venture Capital Financing


Faculty

Professor Cyril Demaria

Cyril Demaria

Cyril Demaria is a private markets expert advising investors on asset allocation, funds and direct investments. He is also the author of multiple books on private equity and asset allocation. He started his career in 2000 by investing in software and e-commerce start-ups for a transatlantic venture capital fund. He then proceeded to build his…

Read more

Zoltan Szelyes

Zoltan Szelyes

Zoltan Szelyes is a leading research-based real estate investment expert in Europe with more than 22 years of industry experience. He is the CEO and owner of Macro Real Estate AG, an independent advisory firm specializing in real estate investments for institutional investors and investment managers in Switzerland and worldwide. He manages separate accounts for…

Read more


  • 2 days
  • € 3100
  • Corporate Finance, Investment Management
  • English
  • NEW

Available dates

Need help?

Find your program here or contact us directly for personal advice:
Call us at +31 20 246 7140 or email us at [email protected].

Program flyer

For a more detailed program description and information regarding faculty please download the program document.

  • Join 6,000 ambitious professionals worldwide who already receive our newsletter. Get exclusive insights, stay informed about our top programs, and enjoy free access to AIF Alumni Network Events. All delivered straight to your inbox every two weeks.


Accreditation

CFA/VBA – PL  credit hours
This program is eligible for 12 PL credit hours as granted by CFA Society VBA Netherlands

Enroll now

Satisfied clients