Real Estate Investing Fundamentals

About this course

The foundation of every real estate strategy taught in the Academy. You will learn the four sources of real estate return, the vocabulary investors use, how financing changes outcomes, and how to evaluate a property before you ever make an offer.

What you will learn

• Explain the four drivers of real estate returns
• Calculate NOI, cap rate and cash-on-cash return
• Compare strategies: rentals, flips, multifamily and commercial
• Build a personal real estate investment criteria sheet

1. Module 1

   Introduction

   3 lessons
   • Welcome to Real Estate Investing FundamentalsVideo · 9 min · Free preview
   • Course Roadmap and Completion RequirementsWritten lesson · 6 min · Free preview
   • How to Get the Most from This CourseWritten lesson · 6 min

2. Module 2

   Core Principles

   4 lessons
   • The Four Sources of Real Estate ReturnVideo · 9 min
   • Net Operating Income and Cap RateWritten lesson · 6 min
   • Cash-on-Cash Return and DSCRVideo · 9 min
   • Knowledge CheckQuiz · 4 min

3. Module 3

   Deal Structure

   3 lessons
   • Choosing a Financing StructureVideo · 9 min
   • Down Payment, Reserves and LeverageWritten lesson · 6 min
   • Ownership Entities and TitleVideo · 9 min

4. Module 4

   Financial Analysis

   3 lessons
   • Building a Pro FormaVideo · 9 min
   • Estimating Expenses RealisticallyWritten lesson · 6 min
   • Valuation with Comparable Sales and IncomeVideo · 9 min

5. Module 5

   Risk Management

   2 lessons
   • Identifying Property-Level RisksVideo · 9 min
   • Market and Liquidity RiskWritten lesson · 6 min

6. Module 6

   Real-World Examples

   2 lessons
   • Example: A Single-Family Rental UnderwrittenVideo · 9 min
   • Example: When the Numbers Look Too GoodWritten lesson · 6 min

7. Module 7

   Case Study

   2 lessons
   • Case Study: The Midwest DuplexCase study · 10 min
   • Case Study Debrief: What the Numbers MissedWritten lesson · 6 min

8. Module 8

   Final Assessment

   2 lessons
   • Final AssessmentQuiz · 4 min
   • Applied AssignmentAssignment · 7 min

Member reviews

• “Professional, concise and free of hype. Recommended for any member.”

  OLOlivia Lawson · Sep 12, 2026
• “Great instructor. I rebuilt my underwriting model after the financial analysis module.”

  SSSydney Sato · Sep 12, 2026
• “Solid course. I would have liked one more real-world example.”

  NINolan Iverson · Sep 4, 2026
• “Great instructor. I rebuilt my underwriting model after the financial analysis module.”

  IPIsaac Patel · Aug 22, 2026