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Introduction
In the intricate world of real estate finance, there are many layers to peel back when it comes to understanding the industry. Mike is a Certified Financial Analyst who is currently in the role of Real Estate Finance Specialist at the Canada Mortgage & Housing Corporation (CMHC). He graduated from Western University in 2015; a challenging time to enter the job market. Mike wanted to find a way to stand out, so he secured his real estate license in 2016, which helped progress him into a role at MNP, a leading accounting and business advisory firm in Canada. From here, Mike used his learnings to ideally position himself in a more real estate focused role, moving towards Commercial Banking at TD. He spent three years learning more about the lending side of the bank, ultimately helping him build upon skills required on the real estate side, joining CMHC’s team as Specialist.
What is a Housing Specialist?
As a housing specialist, Mike is involved in financing projects, ensuring their completion from start to finish. CMHC engages with developers on both profit and non-profit fronts, providing construction financing and takeout financing mortgages. On the non-profit side, CMHC works closely with the federal government and other organizations to manage shelters and supportive housing, emphasizing social outcomes like affordability, accessibility, and energy efficiency through initiatives like the National Housing Co-Investment Fund (NHCF).
What are Initiatives Between CMHC and the Government?
Firstly, the federal government will carve out a budget and introduce overarching policies for the program. From here, CMHC will use interpretation to curate a solution that aligns with the program’s aims. By diving into the specifics, CMHC determines who their target market is, which area it will reside in, which type of build, and more, to plan and strategize before the budget given is spent.
Challenges with the Housing Market Today
The emphasis is placed on providing high-quality, affordable housing units to individuals and families in densely populated areas. To do so, funding must be secured with cooperation from all levels of government, to build homes at a pace that will satisfy the demand. It is difficult to find a common ground to satisfy all stakeholder demands and needs, but that is what makes the job interesting and engaging. As it is also a lengthy process to secure a loan in this space, the expedition of procedures is necessary to successfully complete projects that satisfy all stakeholders.
The Opportunities within Real Estate
Experience, experience, experience! In order to transition into more in-depth roles, it is vital to learn about the industry from various perspectives, such as an agent on the front lines, as well as behind the scenes in a field such as finance. In real estate, each project is different, so it allows for a breadth of experience and learnings within roles that allow for further growth and development. Although the market is very related to the external environment, Mike believes that it is important to constantly stay up-to-date to have the ability to properly speculate and come to conclusions that will strengthen your strategy to build a business.
In Conclusion …
Mike's insights underscore the close-knit relationship between financial expertise, government collaboration, and stakeholder satisfaction within the real estate market. It's a sector that demands constant adaptation and a commitment to staying up-to-date. Navigating the complexities of the real estate market requires a strategic approach, a dedication to learning, and a continuous effort to strengthen one's business strategy in the ever-evolving landscape of real estate and social government spending.
