Real Estate Courses

Purpose

This page is meant to show you connections between sustainability and core courses in a particular business major. In some cases, these connections may not yet be a part of the course. We are working on that! If you are a student, you can ask for these connections to be a part of the course. If you are a faculty member, you can integrate them in as you see fit.

Course descriptions are adapted from the Penn State University Bulletin. This is not a comprehensive list of courses in the major. Learn more about this major at Penn State Smeal Undergraduate Education. Penn State students can meet with who teach and do research in sustainability.

RM 330W: Real Estate Risk Analysis

Applies a value-oriented framework to analyze risk in real estate decisions involving purchasing, leasing, renovation, financing, and investment. Emphasizes real-world applications and external risk factors, including economic and regulatory influences.

Sustainable risk management questions to consider:

• How much do sustainable features (i.e. solar panels, LEED certification, electric car stations, etc.) add to the value of property?

• What local regulations may impact a development project with sustainable requirements?

• What are the tax savings benefits to including sustainable features in a development project?

RM 450: Contemporary Issues in Real Estate Markets

Explores contemporary issues in real estate, including historical performance, land use, market valuation, development, and public policy.

Sustainable risk management questions to consider:

• What property attributes are related to sustainability?

• How does a property's sustainability attributes affect real estate values?

• How does properties’ sustainability affect investors’ acquisition decisions?

RM 460: Real Estate Financial Analysis

Provides in-depth coverage of real estate investment and financing decisions in the private market, including debt and equity financing, capital structure, creative financing, risk analysis, and corporate asset management.

Sustainable risk management questions to consider:

• How will environmental regulations change income and expenditures, value, location, and density of commercial real estate?

• How can mortgage lenders incorporate ESG factors in loan origination and securitization

• How will the housing affordability issue affect cities?

RM 470: Real Estate Capital Markets

Analyzes publicly traded real estate, including REITs and MBSs, with an emphasis on globalization and the integration of real estate into capital markets.

Sustainable risk management questions to consider:

• How do different large-scale companies and REITs incorporate sustainability into their investment portfolios?

• How do different REITs focus on different aspects of sustainability?

• What opportunities for economically sound sustainability are available within the real estate industry?

Explore More Sustainability-Focused Courses

Curious about how sustainability fits into your academic journey? Browse at Smeal and Penn State that highlight sustainability in business, society, and the environment.