This series is beneficial to those involved in investments such as the purchase, sale or brokering of residential or commercial transactions. Topics covered are suitable for novice and seasoned developers.

Participants must have intermediate or advanced knowledge of Microsoft Excel 2007. Students can sign up for individual courses or take advantage of the series discount. The first course, Fundamentals of Financial Modeling, is a prerequisite for the other two courses; courses meet from 6 to 9 p.m., Mondays and Thursdays.

Fundamentals of Financial Modeling will introduce the means of evaluating the profitability of all types of business investments from the lease or purchase decision of a new copier to the development of a major real estate project. Students will discuss the concept of money’s time value, develop the mathematics used to quantify it and automate the calculations in Excel. Students will then interpret the results to arrive at a final investment decision. A solid grasp of algebra is required for this course; this course will be Nov. 2 and Nov. 5.

In Financial Modeling of Residential Real Estate, students will apply the fundamentals from the previous courses to explore investment opportunities in residential real estate, such as purchasing or renting a single home or investing in a major development project. Class discussions will include size and timing of significant cash flows, benefits of leverage, types of funding and other considerations to reach a final decision. Through examining case studies, students will learn the difference between a good and a bad deal and how one can quickly become the other. This course will meet on Nov. 9 and Nov. 12.

Students taking the Financial Modeling of Commercial Real Estate Investment class will explore investment opportunities in commercial real estate, such as purchasing or leasing a single storefront or investing in a major development project. Discussions will include the size and timing of significant cash flows, benefits of leverage, types of funding, and considerations such as cap rate and debt-coverage ratio to reach a final decision.

Students will learn the difference between a good and bad deal and how one can quickly become the other. This course will meet Nov. 16 and Nov. 19. Instructor Douglas Deckmann, MBA, is a principal of Wells Drive Investments, which provides financial consulting services to small and medium-sized businesses specializing in the real estate industry.

For more information or to register, call 302-854-6966.