The Real Deal
What is Real Estate?
Land, and anything permanently attached to it, like buildings
Which type of home is designed for just one family to live in?
single-family residence
Who is in charge of keeping a construction project on track and organized?
construction manager
If you own a home and rent it out to someone else, what are you doing
real estate investing / acting as a landlord
What is the name of the safety training course most construction workers need to complete?
OSHA certification
Why is real estate considered a good investment over time?
It tends to increase in value and can produce steady income
What do we call a building where several families live in separate units, like apartments or duplexes?
multi-family housing
What’s one reason construction projects sometimes get delayed?
weather, material shortages, unexpected issues, or budget problems
What does it mean to “flip” a house?
buying a property, renovating it, and reselling it for a profit
What do we call it when a beginner works alongside a pro to learn on the job?
apprenticeship
What makes location such a key factor in real estate value?
it determines access to jobs, schools, resources, and affects demand
What’s a key advantage of mixed-use properties for both tenants and owners?
they provide multiple types of spaces (like retail and living) in one location, and reduce vacancy risk
Name one common challenge every building construction project faces
cost overruns, timeline delays, legal issues, or unexpected events
What’s one smart thing to do before investing in a property?
pay off personal debt / research the area / understand the risks
Name one skill that’s important for working on a construction team.
communication, time management, teamwork, etc.
Explain how zoning laws affect a real estate investor's ability to generate income from raw land.
Zoning laws control what can be built; changing to a “higher and best use” zone (e.g., commercial) can increase income potential
Imagine you are comparing commercial and storage facilities. Which would likely involve a longer negotiation process and why?
What is commercial, because of lease complexity, tenant build-out, and higher costs
A school is building a new science wing. Identify two unpredictable risks the project team should plan for.
structural issues, weather delays, contractor errors, budget overruns, or material shortages
Compare how renting and flipping differ in risk, timeline, and required involvement
flipping has higher risk and shorter timeline with heavy upfront involvement; renting is long-term, more stable but needs ongoing management
Explain how being part of a union benefits a construction worker during a project negotiation.
the union advocates for fair wages, safety, and training, and can help the worker negotiate terms through a Business Agent
A friend buys a cheap house in a rural area hoping to flip it for profit. Identify two economic risks they might not have considered.
Low buyer demand, slow market appreciation, lack of infrastructure, or unexpected renovation costs with no quick resale
Raw land doesn't generate income,but under what conditions could it still be a smart investment?
if you anticipate zoning changes, urban expansion, or agricultural use that creates future income or resale value
You are tasked with reducing delays in a city bridge project. Explain one planning solution and how it addresses delay
Critical path planning, buffer time, pre-fab materials, or logistics modeling to reduce disruption and improve efficiency
You want to build a team to support your investing journey. Name 3 roles you'd include and why each is essential
real estate broker (finding deals), contractor (renovation), and attorney (contracts/legal protection)
You’re applying for a site supervisor job. Name three skills or credentials that would make you a top candidate, and justify one
OSHA certification, leadership skills, time management, construction experience, tech literacy