Course coordinator
Mr Alexander Cameron
Course overview
- Study period
- Semester 1, 2025 (24/02/2025 - 21/06/2025)
- Study level
- Undergraduate
- Location
- St Lucia
- Attendance mode
- In Person
- Units
- 2
- Administrative campus
- St Lucia
- Coordinating unit
- Business School
This course is designed to give students a detailed understanding of real estate finance and investment. Topics will include real estate financing strategies, investment decision making, mortgage-backed securities and real estate capital markets. While the course draws heavily on important concepts from corporate finance and investment theory, special emphasis is placed on the distinctive features of real estate as an asset class. In particular, the course examines how these features impact investment choices and portfolio decision making relative to financial assets, such as stocks and bonds, for institutional investors. Since real estate is closely linked with finance and economics, this course will have a quantitative emphasis.
This course explores the role of property as an investment class; Why we invest in property, What classes of property are there, and Why we diversify across those property types. We look at real estate funding arrangements, the impact of sustainability upon real estate useﾠand investment, financial modelling and risk assessment of property investments. The course will allow students to differentiate between the relative merits of direct and indirect property investment within a portfolio. Students will evaluate investment options and criteria, and acquire the tools to effectively evaluate the financial aspects of property projects.
Course requirements
Prerequisites
You'll need to complete the following courses before enrolling in this one:
(FINM2415 + 2416) or (FINM2411 + 3412)
Course contact
Course staff
Lecturer
Mr Paul Walker
Timetable
The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.
Additional timetable information
Please note: Teaching staff do not have access to the timetabling system to help with class allocation. Therefore, should you need help with your timetable and/or allocation of classes, please ensure you email business.mytimetable@uq.edu.au from your UQ student email account with the following details:
- Full name
- Student ID
- Course Code
Aims and outcomes
This course aims to provide students a detailed understanding of real estate finance and investment and the role of property as an asset class. Students will learn how to critically eveluate the role that property plays as an investmentﾠvehicle and to analyse investmentﾠand financing opportunities. The course will examine the differeing roles that direct and indirect property investment has and the mechanisms for financing property transactions.
Learning outcomes
After successfully completing this course you should be able to:
LO1.
Understand factors that impact real estate markets
LO2.
Analyse financial data in order to assess performance in real estate markets
LO3.
Explain and evaluate risks associated with real estate
LO4.
Evaluate techniques for portfolio management in real estate
Assessment
Assessment summary
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Examination |
In Semester - multiple choice exam
|
20% |
29/03/2025 12:00 pm |
| Paper/ Report/ Annotation |
Group Report - Evaluation of Real Estate Project
|
40% |
23/05/2025 3:00 pm |
| Examination |
End of Semester - Final Exam
|
40% |
End of Semester Exam Period 7/06/2025 - 21/06/2025 |
Assessment details
In Semester - multiple choice exam
- Online
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Examination
- Weight
- 20%
- Due date
29/03/2025 12:00 pm
- Other conditions
- Time limited.
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L04
Task description
The exam will be open from 12 midday on 28 March for 24 hours, due by 12 midday 29 March on Blackboard. Exam duration is 60 minutes from commencing the exam.
AI Statement:
The use of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools will not be permitted. Any attempted use of Generative AI may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Exam details
| Planning time | no planning time minutes |
|---|---|
| Duration | 60 minutes |
| Calculator options | Any calculator permitted |
| Open/closed book | Open Book examination |
| Exam platform | Other |
| Invigilation | Not invigilated |
Submission guidelines
Exam will submit automatically after 60 minutes.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to defer this exam.
Late submission
Exams submitted after the end of the submission time will incur a late penalty.
Group Report - Evaluation of Real Estate Project
- Team or group-based
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Paper/ Report/ Annotation
- Weight
- 40%
- Due date
23/05/2025 3:00 pm
- Other conditions
- Peer assessed.
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04
Task description
Group Report - students will form groups of 4 or 5 to complete a hypothetical analytical report about a real life real estate Rent development project.
The Report is to be prepared on behalf of a hypothetical potential investor who is seeking professional advice on the risks, issues and opportunities associated with acquiring, developing and holding/selling a proposed real estate development project.
The students will act as professional advisors to the hypothetical investor and prepare a 5,000 word (excluding bibliography) report that outlines their assessment of the project and its efficacy for their client as a real estate investment opportunity.
The details of the report must include:
- An analytical description of the property and its proposed development attributes including observations on the concept, target demographic, design/layout, and overall viability of the project.
- A discussion on the particular real estate market sector in Queensland which the subject property is part of and a comparative assessment of that market sector domestically and globally.
- A risk assessment of the project identifying the primary strengths, weaknesses, threats and opportunities for the project.
- An overview of the funding mechanisms available to the investor for the development.
- High-level financial modelling of the project that includes financial performance metrics and an assessment of the target purchase price for the project.
- Details of any assumptions required to be made and the basis for those assumptions.
- Bibliography and referencing to Harvard standard.
The student will be required to complete a Self and Peer Review as part of this report.
Details of the specific site will provided in Week 7.
AI Statemenet:
This task has been designed to be challenging, authentic and complex. Whilst students may use AI technologies, successful completion of assessment in this course will require students to critically engage in specific contexts and tasks for which artificial intelligence will provide only limited support and guidance. A failure to reference generative AI use may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct. To pass this assessment, students will be required to demonstrate detailed comprehension of their written submission independent of AI tools.
Submission guidelines
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
End of Semester - Final Exam
- Identity Verified
- In-person
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Examination
- Weight
- 40%
- Due date
End of Semester Exam Period
7/06/2025 - 21/06/2025
- Other conditions
- Time limited.
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04
Task description
Combination of multiple choice and short answer questions.
All topics covered through out the entire course may be examinable.
AI Statement:
This assessment task is to be completed in-person. The use of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools will not be permitted. Any attempted use of Generative AI may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Exam details
| Planning time | 10 minutes |
|---|---|
| Duration | 90 minutes |
| Calculator options | (In person) Casio FX82 series only or UQ approved and labelled calculator |
| Open/closed book | Closed Book examination - no written materials permitted |
| Exam platform | Paper based |
| Invigilation | Invigilated in person |
Submission guidelines
Deferral or extension
You may be able to defer this exam.
Course grading
Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.
| Grade | Cut off Percent | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 (Low Fail) | 0 - 29 |
Absence of evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 2 (Fail) | 30 - 46 |
Minimal evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 3 (Marginal Fail) | 47 - 49 |
Demonstrated evidence of developing achievement of course learning outcomes |
| 4 (Pass) | 50 - 64 |
Demonstrated evidence of functional achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 5 (Credit) | 65 - 74 |
Demonstrated evidence of proficient achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 6 (Distinction) | 75 - 84 |
Demonstrated evidence of advanced achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 7 (High Distinction) | 85 - 100 |
Demonstrated evidence of exceptional achievement of course learning outcomes. |
Additional course grading information
Grades will be allocated according to University-wide standards of criterion-based assessment.
Supplementary assessment
Supplementary assessment is available for this course.
Learning resources
You'll need the following resources to successfully complete the course. We've indicated below if you need a personal copy of the reading materials or your own item.
Library resources
Find the required and recommended resources for this course on the UQ Library website.
Learning activities
The learning activities for this course are outlined below. Learn more about the learning outcomes that apply to this course.
Filter activity type by
Please select
| Learning period | Activity type | Topic |
|---|---|---|
Week 1 |
Lecture |
Lecture - Real Estate as an Asset Class Learning outcomes: L01, L03 |
Week 2 |
Tutorial |
Tutorial - Real Estate as an Asset Class Learning outcomes: L01, L04 |
Lecture |
Lecture - Real Estate Ownership Structures Learning outcomes: L01, L03, L04 |
|
Week 3 |
Tutorial |
Tutorial - Real Estate Ownership Structures Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L04 |
Lecture |
Lecture - Real Estate Ownership and Disposal Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03 |
|
Week 4 |
Tutorial |
Tutorial - Real Estate Ownership and Disposal Learning outcomes: L02, L03, L04 |
Lecture |
Lecture - Real Estate Appraisal (Valuation) Learning outcomes: L02, L03, L04 |
|
Week 5 |
Tutorial |
Tutorial - Real Estate Appraisal (Valuation) Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03 |
Lecture |
Lecture - Real Estate Development Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03 |
|
Week 6 |
Tutorial |
Tutorial - Real Estate Development Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03 |
Lecture |
Lecture - Financial Modelling Learning outcomes: L02, L03, L04 |
|
Week 7 |
Tutorial |
Tutorial - Financial Modelling Learning outcomes: L02, L03, L04 |
Lecture |
Lecture - Guest Lecturer - Portfolio Mgt Learning outcomes: L01, L03, L04 |
|
Week 8 |
Tutorial |
Tutorial - Guest Lecturer - Portfolio Mgt Good Friday Public Holiday - Friday 18 April 2025 - Check Blackboard for announcements about affected classes. Learning outcomes: L02, L03, L04 |
Lecture |
Lecture - Debt & Equity Financing Learning outcomes: L02, L04 |
|
Mid-sem break |
No student involvement (Breaks, information) |
In-Semester Break |
Week 9 |
Tutorial |
Tutorial - Debt & Equity Financing Learning outcomes: L02, L04 |
Lecture |
Lecture - Mortgages Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L04 |
|
Week 10 |
Tutorial |
Tutorial - Mortgages Labour Day Public Holiday - Monday 5 May 2025 - Check Blackboard for announcements about affected classes. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L04 |
Lecture |
Lecture - Guest Lecturer - Developer Learning outcomes: L01, L03 |
|
Week 11 |
Tutorial |
Tutorial - Guest Lecturer - Developer Learning outcomes: L01, L03 |
Lecture |
Lecture - Corporate Real Estate Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L04 |
|
Week 12 |
Tutorial |
Tutorial - Corporate Real Estate Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L04 |
Lecture |
Lecture - Sustainability in Real Estate Learning outcomes: L01, L03, L04 |
|
Week 13 |
Tutorial |
Tutorial - Sustainability in Real Estate Learning outcomes: L01, L03, L04 |
Lecture |
Lecture - Revision Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04 |
Policies and procedures
University policies and procedures apply to all aspects of student life. As a UQ student, you must comply with University-wide and program-specific requirements, including the:
- Student Code of Conduct Policy
- Student Integrity and Misconduct Policy and Procedure
- Assessment Procedure
- Examinations Procedure
- Reasonable Adjustments - Students Policy and Procedure
Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.