Career guide · Updated October 23, 2026
How to get a real estate internship
Real estate splits in two: the investment side follows finance’s early timeline, while brokerage, development and property management hire later. Know which you want.
1. Know when real estate internships recruit
- Sophomore yearLearn real estate modeling in Excel; it is the test at most internships.
- Sophomore spring–junior fallReal estate private equity and investment banking follow the early finance timeline.
- Junior fallBrokerages, REITs and large developers recruit.
- Junior springSmaller developers, property managers and brokerages hire on a rolling basis.
Typical timing — employers set their own dates, so check each one.
2. Build the skills employers check
- Excel real estate modeling
- Market research
- Valuation basics
- Communication
- ARGUS (a plus)
- Attention to detail
3. Take certifications in the right order
None is required, but each shows a skill. Start at the top: the first ones need no background.
- Aswath Damodaran’s valuation classes — NYU Stern. Free · about 30 hours
- Finance and capital markets — Khan Academy. Free · about 20 hours
- Introduction to Corporate Finance — Wharton · Coursera. Paid · about 10 hours
- Excel training paths — Microsoft Learn. Free · about 8 hours
- Financial Markets — Yale · Coursera · Shiller. Paid · about 33 hours
The Finder shows the whole path for real estate, three ways: fastest and free, balanced, and a stretch toward the most demanding credentials. See also every real estate certification.
4. Aim at the right roles
- Acquisitions or investment analyst intern — Models property deals and researches markets.
- Development intern — Supports new projects from site research to construction.
- Commercial brokerage intern — Researches properties and prepares materials for brokers.
- Property or asset management intern — Tracks property performance, leasing and budgets.
5. Use the words recruiters look for
Put the ones that are true for you on your resume, in your own sentences.
underwritingpro formacash flowmarket researchExcelARGUSleasingacquisitionscomparablesdue diligence
How to write a business internship resume
6. Practice the interview
- Behavioral interview questions, which every business interview asks
- Finance Internship Interview Questions
Tips for real estate internships
- Learn real estate modeling in Excel; it is the most common test at investment internships.
- Follow your local market: know recent sales, development projects and vacancy trends you can discuss.
- Reach out to smaller developers and brokerages directly; many hire interns without posting.
Find real estate internships near you →
More on this major: real estate internships, with recent listings and the questions students ask.