HREFC


Historic Real Estate Finance Certification

Interior-Header-Conference.png

Specialized Training

The Main Street America Institute, with the generous support of The 1772 Foundation, is pleased to offer the National Development Council’s Historic Real Estate Finance Certification series to Main Street professionals who are interested in deepening their knowledge of and participation in real estate development transactions, particularly in the utilization of Historic Tax Credits.

Participants in this two-course training program will be equipped with the real estate finance and development techniques needed to accomplish Main Street revitalization and preservation goals. To influence the development process in a commercial district, a thorough understanding of financial transactions, including Historic Tax Credits and other tools, is essential. NDC, with more than 40 years of experience in translating the world of development finance into classroom training courses, has created a customized program designed to meet the unique needs of Main Street revitalization and preservation professionals.
Learn more about this year's experience in the Historic Real Estate Finance Certification FAQs.

Part 1: Historic Real Estate Finance Training

HRE 247-Historic Real Estate Finance takes a systematic look at the real estate development process from the perspective of the key players – lenders, developers, investors, and Main Street managers. Participants will analyze a variety of historic real estate projects in the context of the rates of return and collateral required by the financing partners and determine the appropriate amount of public sector financing needed to make projects feasible. Financing tools and techniques, including federal and state tax credits, will be structured to maximize the amount of equity attracted to close financing gaps.

Specific topics will include:
  • Real Estate Financing Process
  • Debt Capacity and Lender Underwriting Criteria
  • Return on Investment
  • Appraisals
  • Taxes and Real Estate
Who Should Attend: The content of this course is specifically designed for Main Street programs and professionals who are interested in increasing their capacity to engage in development projects involving historic commercial district properties. Please note there are no prerequisites, but the course necessitates the use of arithmetic and algebra. If you have concerns about brushing up on basic math skills, please email us.

Read about 2018's program here.

The Details

When: June 5 - 9, 2023 | 10:00am - 5:00pm EST

Where: Virtual (access will be provided via an online course page)

Price: The standard price of HRE 247 is $1,575. With the support of the 1772 Foundation, the course is available at two highly subsidized rates: $250 for Accredited Main Street programs and $500 Main Street America General Members. To receive a discount code for registration, log into The Point and view the discussion board post titled “Discount Codes for Historic Real Estate Finance Certification Series or email msai@savingplaces.org.

Registration: The registration for HRE 247 will close on Wednesday, May 24, 2023.  
Please note: If you were registered for this course in 2022, your registration has automatically rolled over. If you have any questions regarding this process, please email msai@savingplaces.org.

Certification: After completing both Part 1 and Part 2 of the training participants will receive a certification from NDC as a Real Estate Development Finance Professional, along with a plaque for display.  AICP members can earn Certification Maintenance (CM) credits for this activity. More information about AICP’s CM program can be found here.

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

Part 2: Real Estate Development Finance: Problem Solving and Deal Structuring

HRE 347 - Real Estate Development Finance: Problem Solving and Deal Structuring integrates the real estate finance skills learned in the previous course with the creative demands of deal structuring.  Participants will apply a process for solving problems in order to overcome the myriad obstacles, both financial and non-financial, to the successful structuring of historic preservation projects in Main Street and downtown commercial districts. Special emphasis is placed on issues and opportunities for structuring federal Rehabilitation Tax Credits including how the program works, how it attracts equity, and how it can be used to leverage other financing sources. 


Specific topics will include:

    • Problem Solving and Negotiating
    • Deal Structuring
    • Syndications
Who Should Attend: The content of this course is specifically designed for Main Street programs and professionals who are interested in increasing their capacity to engage in development projects involving historic commercial district properties. Please note: HRE 247 (see above) must be completed prior to participation in HRE 347.

Read about 2019's program here.

The Details

When: September 11 - 15, 2023 | 10:00am - 5:00pm EST

Where: Virtual (access will be provided via an online course page)

Price: The standard price of HRE 347 is $1,575. With the support of the 1772 Foundation, the course is available at two highly subsidized rates: $250 for Accredited Main Street programs and $500 Main Street America General Members. To receive a discount code for registration, log into the The Point and view the discussion board post titled “Discount Codes for Historic Real Estate Finance Certification Series or email msai@savingplaces.org.

Registration:
Registration for the HRE 347 will close on Tuesday, August 29, 2023.
Please note: If you were registered for this course in 2022, your registration has automatically rolled over. If you have any questions regarding this process, please email msai@savingplaces.org. 

Certification: After completing both Part 1 and Part 2 of the training participants will receive a certification from NDC as a Real Estate Development Finance Professional, along with a plaque for display.  AICP members can earn Certification Maintenance (CM) credits for this activity. More information about AICP’s CM program can be found here.

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is best suited to participate in this course series?
This course is specifically designed for Main Street programs and professionals who are interested in increasing their capacity to engage in development projects involving historic commercial district properties. Please note there are no prerequisites, but the course necessitates the use of arithmetic and algebra. If you have concerns about brushing up on basic math skills, please email us.

How will the virtual version of the course differ from the in-person version?
The main difference will be that participants will not be physically visiting examples of projects in a host city. Examples of success that highlight course lessons will instead be included through the virtual format. While the virtual version of the course will reduce travel costs and allow participants to complete from the comfort of their own homes, the course content and level of course participation necessitated to complete the project within a week will be the same as the in-person version.

Is it better to take the virtual version or the in-person version?
Both versions of the certificate series will equip participants with a thorough knowledge of Historic Tax Credits, real estate finance, and development techniques to accomplish Main Street preservation and revitalization goals. Please note that participants must provide their own travel expenses to attend the in-person version, whereas that is not the case in this virtual version. For a look at the program’s in-person experience, read about the 2018-2019 Part 1 and Part 2 courses.

Will I be able to step away from or miss a session of the course? 
This is an intensive course, which concludes with a final exam, and a make-up day will not be available. The instructor will be available throughout the course for questions, but we recommend that participants do their best to minimize any outside distractions to the best of their ability while participating in this course in order to focus on the content as much as possible. 

If I participate in the first course, HRE 247, do I have to participate in the secondHRE 347?
In order to receive the Real Estate Development Finance Professional Certification participants must complete both Part 1 and Part 2 of the training series. After completing both Part 1 and Part 2, participants will receive a certification from NDC as a Real Estate Development Finance Professional, along with a plaque for display.  AICP members can earn Certification Maintenance (CM) credits for this activity. More information about AICP’s CM program can be found here. In some circumstances, participants choose not to complete HRE 347 or take the second course in a subsequent year. While we encourage participants to complete both courses within one year, there can be flexibility.

Will the course sessions be recorded and available later? 
No, the virtual course sessions will not be recorded by the National Development Council. Students will have the ability to “capture” what the instructor is presenting through the GoToTraining virtual learning platform, but students must initiate this feature themselves.


Will there be course assignments? 
Yes, there will be case studies and end-of-day assignments for each day of the course, concluding in an exam on Friday.


Can more than one person per Main Street program register for this course at the member rate? 
Yes, up to three people per Main Street organization may register for the course at the reduced rate for Main Street America members. Each person must register and participate in the course as an individual and the discount codes would apply per person taking the course.

Will these courses be offered again next year?
We hope to offer this certificate series in 2024, but we cannot be certain of any future course details at this time.


Courses and Schedule

MSAI engages, prepares, and connects participants through both online and in-person educational components, providing a convenient and engaging learning experience.

LEARN MORE


Policies & Pricing

MSAI offers a convenient and affordable framework for local leaders across the nation. Check out detailed information on participation, policies, pricing and payment. Still have questions? Reach out to us at msai@savingplaces.org.

LEARN MORE


Contact Us

We are here to help! To learn more about how MSAI can support your professional development, please contact us at msai@savingplaces.org or 312.610.5611.


Email Us