In January 2024, I attended the 7-day Certificate Course on Real Estate Development and Value Add Investments Financial Modelling. Despite having a background in Real Estate, and over 11 years in the industry, the course proved to be exceptionally valuable. In addition to the refresher on real estate as an asset class, the course delved into the principles of real estate investment and development, with a particular emphasis on financial modelling. As someone who is self-taught in excel, I feel far more confident to run more complex cashflows and model various debt and equity structures whilst ensuring my spreadsheets remain “simple and elegant”. The model templates have proven to be useful only a few days after finishing the course! Maria demonstrates an impressive breadth of knowledge and experience in the financial sector, with the theoretical principles enhanced by her practical insight which brought the class to life. Attending the in-person sessions was a highlight as the diverse mix of the group brought together individuals with varied experiences across the financial sectors, providing a collaborative learning environment which enhanced the experience. P.S. just used my new skills to run a development cashflow for a couple of houses I am looking to build! So much better than the cashflows I have presented in the past.