What Real Estate Modelling Course Should I Choose?
What Real Estate Modelling Course Should I Choose?
Whether you're an aspiring analyst, a career-changer, or a senior professional looking to sharpen your skills, one question comes up again and again:
“What real estate financial modelling course should I choose?”
It’s a fair question. Most courses seem to cover similar topics. So how do you choose the right one?
In this blog, we’ll break down the key things to consider – and compare some of the most popular options, including why the EiP Academy might just be the smartest decision for serious real estate professionals.
Why take a real estate financial modelling course at all?
Let’s get one thing straight: you don’t have to take a modelling course to get a job in real estate.
But the reality is:
Entry-level jobs are more competitive than ever
Interview processes are increasingly technical
Promotions are tied to commercial acumen, not just tenure
Financial modelling is no longer a “nice to have” – it’s a core skill
Whether you’re building investment memos, underwriting acquisitions, valuing assets, or working in development – the ability to confidently model a deal from start to finish gives you a real edge.
But the right course won’t just teach you Excel formulas.
It should teach you how to:
Think like an investor
Analyse opportunities in context
Build models that actually work in a commercial environment
Communicate your insights clearly and quickly
What should you look for in a real estate modelling course?
Before diving into specific providers, let’s set a few key criteria. Any course worth your time and money should:
✅ Be built by someone with real industry experience
✅ Cover not just how to model, but why each step matters
✅ Include property-specific content (not generic Excel or finance theory)
✅ Be up to date with market expectations and tools
✅ Offer support, updates, and practical application
You should also consider your personal needs:
Do you need flexibility or prefer live sessions?
Are you building from scratch or levelling up?
Are you learning for a job, a promotion, or your own deals?
What is your budget?
Course Comparisons
EiP Academy (Excel in Property)
Best for: UK & international professionals who want job-ready skills with real-world context
Created by Lucy Gordon, a former fund-side investment professional and RICS trainer, the EiP Academy is a subscription-based online platform designed specifically for real estate analysts, valuers, investors and developers who want to sharpen their commercial modelling and valuation skills.
What’s included:
On-demand training from fundamentals to advanced techniques
Real-life case studies across different asset classes
Exclusive Excel templates and model frameworks
Monthly live Q&A sessions and networking events
Optional mentoring and feedback
Standout features:
Clear, no-fluff teaching style that gets to the point
UK focus with global relevance
Affordable monthly or annual pricing
Regular new course releases (e.g. commercial lease modelling, debt structuring, DCFs, residual appraisals, etc)
Cost: £89/month or £899/year (save 22% if you sign up before 1st September)
Website: https://excelinproperty.com/eip-academy
Break Into CRE
Best for: US-based learners looking to break into real estate from a non-traditional background
Break Into CRE is a US-focused platform founded by Justin Kivel. It covers many of the same foundational topics – from property valuation and DCF to multifamily and self-storage modelling.
What’s included:
Video courses on Excel, finance, and real estate modelling
Mentoring support via email
Focus on helping people break into the industry
Pros:
Friendly tone and accessible for beginners
Good for building confidence in real estate finance terms
Affordable pricing with one-off cost or bundles
Suited to people with no prior real estate knowledge
Cons:
Very US-specific (cap rates, loan terms, terminology)
Cost: From $99pcm or $799pa
Website: https://breakintocre.com
Adventures in CRE (A.CRE)
Best for: US graduate students or experienced modellers wanting institutional-quality training
Adventures in CRE (A.CRE) is known for its rigorous technical content and comprehensive Accelerator programme, taught by Spencer Burton and Michael Belasco.
What’s included:
Advanced Excel modelling tutorials
Career insights and recruiter-led content
Real estate private equity workflows
Development and equity waterfall modelling
Pros:
Extremely detailed
Strong on institutional and private equity modelling
Great for US graduate students or professionals
Cons:
Dense for beginners – not the best first step
US-centric examples and terminology
Quite expensive for non-corporate learners
Cost: ~$500–$1500 depending on access level
Website: https://www.adventuresincre.com
Bayfield Training
Best for: Corporate CPD budgets and formal classroom learning
Bayfield is one of the longest-standing UK providers of Excel modelling courses for property. It offers a suite of in-person and virtual training programmes.
What’s included:
1–3 day live workshops
Residential development, investment modelling, and REIT courses
Excel modelling for property professionals
Pros:
Recognised name in corporate circles
CPD compliant and RICS accredited
Cons:
Expensive (£1,500+ for a few days of training)
Often formula-heavy, without enough commercial context
No ongoing access or community support
Cost: £1,500–£3,000+ depending on course
Website: https://www.bayfieldtraining.com
So... which course is right for you?
Here’s a quick decision guide depending on your goals:
Goal >> Best option
Learn the basics and start strong >> EiP Academy or Break Into CRE
Break into UK investment, valuation or development >> EiP Academy
Work in US multifamily or private equity >> Break Into CRE or A.CRE
Get advanced with JV waterfalls or developments >> EiP Academy or A.CRE Accelerator
Use CPD budget and attend a live course >> Bayfield or EiP Academy (with supplementary in-person session)
If you want to:
Learn on your own schedule
Build genuinely useful skills
Be part of a supportive community
Save £££ versus other training options
👉 Then EiP Academy is your best bet.
What makes the EiP Academy different?
Here’s why EiP stands out:
Taught by someone who’s done the job – Lucy has modelled £3bn+ of assets and trains for the RICS.
Job-focused – Everything is designed to help you perform better in your role, not just pass a test.
Clear, practical, and commercial.
Globally useful, UK-friendly – Structured to be relevant in the UK and beyond.
Real-world support – Ask questions, get answers, and join the monthly calls.
And it’s flexible. If you're not sure, try the free crash course first to see if the style suits you.
Final thoughts
The best course for you depends on where you are in your career, where you’re heading, and how you learn best.
But here’s the truth most providers won’t tell you:
Modelling isn’t about memorising formulas. It’s about commercial thinking.
That’s why the EiP Academy is built the way it is – to help you become a smarter analyst, investor, or valuer. Not just someone who can drag formulas across a row.
If you’re serious about excelling in property, start here:
