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Real Estate Developer skills for your resume and career

Updated January 8, 2025
6 min read
Quoted Experts
Jonathan Everett,
Jonathan Everett
Below we've compiled a list of the most critical real estate developer skills. We ranked the top skills for real estate developers based on the percentage of resumes they appeared on. For example, 13.6% of real estate developer resumes contained financial statements as a skill. Continue reading to find out what skills a real estate developer needs to be successful in the workplace.

15 real estate developer skills for your resume and career

1. Financial Statements

A financial statement is a report of an individual or a company that includes all the information about the declared assets, the use of money, income, and also the contribution of shareholders over a certain period.

Here's how real estate developers use financial statements:
  • Developed formats for all financial statements in Single Family Accounting including Cash Operating Statements and Development and Construction Budgets.
  • Combined the above business financial information with personal financial information to complete Personal Financial Statements for the Owner.

2. Property Management

Property management is the regular oversight of commercial, residential, or industrial real estate by a third-party contractor. Property management includes the day-to-day care of the property, fixing minor and major issues, and monitoring the security of the property.

Here's how real estate developers use property management:
  • Sustained electronic property management and accounting systems ensuring all accounts were processed timely and in accordance with contracts terms.
  • Coordinated the design and distribution of an original promotional product to promote tenant awareness of property management services.

3. Due Diligence

Due diligence refers to the process of auditing, investigating, or reviewing done to confirm the authenticity of relevant facts. In addition to this, it also refers to the evaluation of a party's financial records to determine whether one should enter into a transaction with the said party or not.

Here's how real estate developers use due diligence:
  • Investigated and analyzed real estate sale, acquisition and development opportunities, including acquisition due diligence.
  • Performed site selection and due diligence for acquisitions of residential and commercial developments.

4. General Contractors

A general contractor is a person who has the job of overseeing a construction project after a contract has been signed between the property owner and the contractor. A general contractor is also called a direct contractor and provides all of the labor, material, equipment like tools, and transport. Most of the time, a general contractor also hires multiple subcontractors to do all or different parts of the construction work.

Here's how real estate developers use general contractors:
  • Prepared all budgets; executed all contracts (architects, designers, general contractors, real estate brokers).
  • Negotiated contracts with general contractors once a site was approved for development.

5. Payroll

Payroll is the sum of all the compensation that an organization has to pay to employees at a specified time. Payroll is managed by the finance or HR department while small business owners may handle it themselves. Payroll isn't fixed as it varies every month due to sick leaves, overtime, etc.

Here's how real estate developers use payroll:
  • Converted new payroll software effectively allowing streamlining for growing company demands with no adverse impact.
  • Calculated payroll deductions and processed payroll.

6. Real Estate Development

Here's how real estate developers use real estate development:
  • Conducted market studies and financial feasibility studies to analyze the potential success of proposed residential real estate developments.
  • Provided real estate development expertise to retailers, which included identifying prestigious locations.

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7. Construction Management

Here's how real estate developers use construction management:
  • Promoted through various divisions of the organization focusing on construction management.
  • Full range of development duties from site selection, zoning approvals, site entitlement and construction management.
Select Skills To Add To Your Resume

8. Construction Projects

A construction project is an organized process of constructing, redeveloping, renovating, or otherwise improving a building, or structure. The project phase begins usually as a broad criterion that is then made with the help of a brief, feasibility analysis, funding, and planning. The majority of construction projects are one-time jobs.

Here's how real estate developers use construction projects:
  • Develop budgets for proposed construction projects and tenant improvements; perform construction cost analysis for real estate locations.
  • Executed and planned multiple construction projects while delegating construction tasks to experienced contractors.

9. Development Projects

Development Projects include all contracts, constructions, and projects that may develop an area for housing or commercial construction. These projects frequently require multiple departments to prepare the space for construction projects, including how the construction will take place, who will finance the project, and whether any refurbishments or renovations will be needed.

Here's how real estate developers use development projects:
  • Managed commercial and residential property, land development, and commercial development projects.
  • Analyzed market and financial potential: for potential acquisitions and development projects.

10. Bank Accounts

Here's how real estate developers use bank accounts:
  • Maintained bank accounts - cash transactions including check cutting as well as domestic and international wires.
  • Reconcile monthly bank statements for seventy bank accounts and sixty-eight investment accounts.

11. Oversight

Having oversight of someone means to monitor a process or a situation. If someone has oversight of something, they are responsible for the completion of the project. Oversight is usually given to experts as they monitor their juniors or newbies as they go through a project.

Here's how real estate developers use oversight:
  • Directed and coordinated the total company financial planning and budget management functions - including total oversight of the budget management program.
  • Total oversight of 50+ vendors and as many as 50 on-site personnel at different phases of the project.

12. Market Analysis

Here's how real estate developers use market analysis:
  • Created business plans for new business ventures utilizing capital budgeting, capital structure and market analysis.
  • Executed investment decisions based on modeling and market analysis for commercial and residential opportunities.

13. Financial Reports

Here's how real estate developers use financial reports:
  • Prepare and analyze individual and consolidated financial reports.
  • Provided senior executives and investors with financial reports regarding trends, variances, and performance for the company's entire portfolio.

14. Square Feet

Here's how real estate developers use square feet:
  • Led staff of 9 employees to maintain structural maintenance for over 80,000 square feet of commercial properties.
  • Assumed sole responsibility for all job cost reports and corresponding inventories for 270,000 square feet.

15. Office Buildings

Here's how real estate developers use office buildings:
  • Performed general maintenance on commercial office buildings (Summers 2008-2009) * Remodeled interior finish for new tenants
  • Owned, purchased, managed and built office buildings and flex space.
top-skills

What skills help Real Estate Developers find jobs?

Tell us what job you are looking for, we’ll show you what skills employers want.

What soft skills should all Real Estate Developers possess?

Jonathan Everett

Assistant Professor of Practice, Virginia Tech

I would venture to guess that many successful real estate professionals would say real estate is a people's business. In the classroom, we often discuss how one of a real estate developer's biggest responsibilities is assembling the right team. Most real estate professions require immense communication amongst a multitude of parties. You have to understand the motivations of each party, how to communicate with each party, and how to choreograph several moving parts, so every action is pushing towards an aligned outcome. This requires the ability to listen, articulate, negotiate, and adapt.

What skills stand out on Real Estate Developer resumes?

Jonathan Everett

Assistant Professor of Practice, Virginia Tech

While there is a multitude of skills Real Estate professionals need to acquire, personal experience and conversations with colleagues and industry professionals lead me to conclude one is critical; an adaptive, curious, resourceful mindset that can venture into the unknown. Real estate is evolving, like many industries, and being able to thrive in an ambiguous and changing environment is a critical skill employers will appreciate. So how does an individual demonstrate this skill on a resume? This could be accomplished by highlighting experiences that demonstrate this mindset. It could also include obtaining relevant educational or industry certifications that demonstrate an appetite for continual education or learning new skills. One of the beauties of real estate is you can often find a job that fits within your interests or skillset - there are opportunities in law, finance, property management, sales, appraising, planning, engineering, construction, and much more. However, rarely (arguably never) are you going to see two identical scenarios. Consequently, resourcefulness and a willingness to dive in and construct the puzzle are critical.

What hard/technical skills are most important for Real Estate Developers?

Jonathan Everett

Assistant Professor of Practice, Virginia Tech

I think regardless of the job role, having a proficient understanding of Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint is critical. Additionally, familiarity with job-specific software is a plus. From what I have seen, most facets of real estate have specific software packages or platforms they utilize, whether the function is for property management, financial modeling, etc.
As a former banker, I am likely biased but would argue financial acumen is important. Whether an individual primarily works with consumers or commercial clients, real estate professionals need to understand what matters to capital. On the commercial side, even though an individual may not be responsible for creating a pro forma or financial statements, many real estate jobs require at least a basic understanding of the mechanics and interpretation of a pro forma.
Sales experience or training is also a plus as most jobs in real estate either directly or indirectly involve sales.
Additionally, having an understanding of real estate law, contract law, appraising, management, construction, and land planning will also serve one well.
Lastly, we are in the age of data. Learning how to work with and make informed decisions utilizing data is a valuable skill set.

What Real Estate Developer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?

S

Stephen Buckman

Associate Professor, Clemson University

The soft skills and the ability to think analytically. I come across so many students that could slap a proforma together but can't really tell you what it means. You should be able to explain a deal on the back of a napkin in five minutes. But this really goes back to my first point of spending time outside of the 9-5 work day and going to functions etc.

List of real estate developer skills to add to your resume

Real Estate Developer Skills

The most important skills for a real estate developer resume and required skills for a real estate developer to have include:

  • Financial Statements
  • Property Management
  • Due Diligence
  • General Contractors
  • Payroll
  • Real Estate Development
  • Construction Management
  • Construction Projects
  • Development Projects
  • Bank Accounts
  • Oversight
  • Market Analysis
  • Financial Reports
  • Square Feet
  • Office Buildings
  • Financial Analysis
  • Site Selection
  • Project Completion
  • Capital Improvements
  • Journal Entries
  • Business Plan
  • Tax Returns
  • Yardi
  • Condominiums
  • Residential Properties
  • Business Development
  • Office Space
  • Real Estate Portfolio
  • Lease Negotiations
  • Financial Institutions
  • ROI
  • Real Estate
  • Real Estate Market
  • Residential Real Estate
  • Market Research
  • Management Company
  • Development Process
  • Cam
  • Financial Models
  • LLC
  • Construction Process
  • CPA
  • GAAP
  • Bank Reconciliations
  • Travel Arrangements
  • A/R
  • RFP
  • HR
  • A/P

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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