All agents have to complete real estate continuing education, but the best don't stop there. Our industry is ever-changing, and the most successful agents are the ones who never stop learning.
That’s why we’ve put together this collection of deep-dive resources just for you. These resources go beyond what's covered in our Commercial Updates: Opportunity Zones and Tax Credits CE course, giving you deeper insights, fresh perspectives, and actionable strategies to apply in your day-to-day business. So dive into these expert-approved reads and keep pushing your business forward.
1️⃣ Double Net Leasing
This podcast episode explores a creative Opportunity Zone investment strategy: using pre-construction double net leases to qualify for OZ benefits. The guest, a commercial broker, explains why traditional triple-net leases don’t meet OZ rules and how double-net leases can “offer a shortcut to OZ cash flow,” with a 6-step process outlined and three real case studies of success.
This resource is valuable because it provides a concrete, novel approach for OZ investors, complete with practical examples of projects and outcomes, offering insights beyond the standard OZ fund strategies.
2️⃣ Opportunity Zones Impact and Trends
For a data-driven perspective on Opportunity Zones, this 2023 EIG brief analyzes IRS and development data to assess how OZs have performed nationally. The emerging evidence suggests OZs achieved broad reach and significant investment in distressed areas, with nearly half of all OZ communities receiving investments by 2020.
It highlights large-scale capital deployment (at least $48 billion by end of 2020) and positive economic effects unique among U.S. place-based policies. Real estate professionals will find this insightful for understanding the actual outcomes and trends in OZ activity (e.g. which communities benefitted, how OZs compare to older programs), offering a grounded look at the initiative’s impact and future direction.
Amelia Sandhovel
3️⃣ Inflation Reduction Act Tax Incentives
This article breaks down the major tax credits and deductions from the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) that directly affect commercial real estate. It explains key provisions like the expanded Section 179D deduction for energy-efficient buildings, the Section 48 Investment Tax Credit for installations like solar panels, and new credits for EV charging stations.
Crucially, the piece discusses how these incentives have become more generous or usable (e.g. 179D’s value increase and broader eligibility), providing practical insight into how owners and developers can take advantage of them. Real estate professionals will value the clear explanation of these updates and examples of their application, helping them leverage green building incentives and plan projects under the latest tax law.
4️⃣ Strategies to Revitalize Distressed Communities
Offering a big-picture look at economic development in struggling areas, this 2021 Pew report examines why many “place-based” programs (enterprise zones, tax incentives, etc.) have historically fallen short and suggests how to improve them. It notes that governments have spent hundreds of billions on geographically targeted development programs that often failed to benefit the communities intended.
Backed by a review of 100+ studies, Pew recommends data-driven targeting of truly needy areas, regular monitoring and updates to keep programs effective, and focusing on strategies that channel benefits to local residents (for example, prioritizing industries offering good jobs to people without college degrees).
This resource is valuable for the fresh policy-level insights it provides – real estate professionals involved in community development or public-private initiatives can learn how to better align projects with community needs and see case examples of what works to spark equitable revitalization.
5️⃣ Creative Financing Techniques
This comprehensive guide (written by an experienced investor-coach) dives into unconventional financing methods for commercial property acquisitions. It emphasizes the importance of structuring deals in ways others don’t, especially when traditional bank loans aren’t feasible.
The guide explains techniques like seller carry-back financing, master lease agreements, wraparound mortgages, and more, which let investors purchase properties with less cash or credit. As the blog defines, creative financing is any non-traditional method that allows acquiring real estate “without traditional loans or using large amounts of your own money,” including options such as seller financing, wraparound mortgages, or crowdfunding.
Through step-by-step scenarios, it shows how these tools can solve common challenges (e.g. buying distressed properties banks won’t touch, helping a seller defer capital gains via installment). Real estate pros will find this resource useful for its practical tips on deal structuring – it’s an engaging primer on thinking outside the box to get commercial deals done.
Elizabeth Elly
6️⃣ Sustainable Buildings
This report by JLL offers a forward-looking analysis on why investing in sustainable and green buildings makes financial sense for commercial real estate. It highlights three driving factors: mounting climate change risks, rising tenant and corporate demand for eco-friendly spaces, and impending stricter regulations and financing conditions.
For example, the report notes that many companies are willing to pay a premium for green-certified offices, and that demand for sustainable buildings to meet low-carbon goals is reshaping lease markets at scale. It also points out the long-term cost of inaction (from physical climate damage to buildings to difficulty obtaining capital as lenders prioritize ESG).
This resource is valuable because it provides data-backed reasoning and examples that can help professionals justify green initiatives in their projects, illustrating how sustainability contributes to resilience, tenant satisfaction, and even investment performance.
7️⃣ Public-Private Partnerships
This article explains what public-private partnerships (P3s) are and how they can fuel real estate development. It describes a P3 as a contract where a private entity finances and often operates a project for the government, sharing risks and rewards. The piece outlines benefits: for example, P3s let governments tap private capital to fund projects in exchange for future revenues, transferring substantial risk to the private sector.
This can spur economic growth and job creation in communities while easing public budget constraints. Importantly, the article provides real case studies of P3s in action – such as a major university partnering with a developer on a $345 million student housing and retail project that revitalized neighborhoods.
Another example is an airport using a private developer to redesign a terminal in exchange for a share of new retail revenues. These stories and insights give readers a practical understanding of how P3 deals are structured and the impacts they can have, illuminating an innovative financing avenue for large-scale developments.
8️⃣ Commercial Market Analysis
Focusing on market research fundamentals, this 2024 guide walks through how to perform a thorough commercial real estate market analysis. It stresses why due diligence on market conditions is essential, especially amid rapid post-pandemic changes.
The guide covers steps like examining local economic indicators, demographic trends, supply and demand in submarkets, and how to leverage technology for data analysis. Notably, it discusses current shifts – for instance, record levels of remote work have reduced need for office space, while e-commerce growth is driving demand for warehouses and data centers.
It even references high-profile investment missteps (like certain office portfolios suffering losses) to show the risks of poor market analysis. By outlining the process and tools (including AI) to evaluate markets, this resource gives real estate professionals a deeper understanding of market analysis techniques to identify promising opportunities and avoid pitfalls in today’s evolving landscape.
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9️⃣ Risk Management and Due Diligence
Written by real estate attorneys, this blog post serves as a checklist of risk management and legal steps in commercial property transactions. It emphasizes meticulous due diligence before any purchase: confirming clear title (no liens or easements), verifying zoning and land-use compliance, and conducting environmental assessments to uncover any liabilities.
The article then discusses how to structure deals for legal and financial safety – for example, choosing the appropriate ownership entity (LLC, partnership, etc.) for liability protection and tax purposes, and negotiating purchase agreements with contingencies that safeguard the buyer. It also covers ongoing compliance (building codes, ADA requirements) and the importance of proper insurance and well-drafted leases as legal risk mitigation tools.
For real estate professionals, this resource is a great reminder of the critical legal considerations behind every deal. It provides actionable insight on protecting your interests and avoiding costly mistakes, making it easier to navigate the complex regulatory and contractual landscape of commercial real estate.
Klafehn, Heise & Johnson P.L.L.C