The real estate manager: towards a financial knowledge and skills framework for professional development

The real estate manager’s financial knowledge and skills are a critical factor to secure funding for projects. The decision to borrow involves a series of complex considerations related to current available resources, expected income, perceived needs, cost of borrowing and risks. The growth of financing options means that real estate managers have to be financially knowledgeable and skilful to make the best decisions. The aim of the study is to investigate the types of knowledge and skills required by the real estate manager and develop a financial knowledge and skills framework to access funding for real estate projects. The methodology adopted is a desk review of relevant literature and information from interviews and online survey. The study found that the real estate manager needs different types of financial knowledge and skills to access and effectively use funding from different sources. The study provided a matrix of financial knowledge and skills needed by real estate managers, which will act as a guide for training needs and professional development.