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Brian, Acquisitions Associate at Witnick Real Estate Partners: Advize Career Interview
An Acquisitions Associate at Witnick Real Estate Partners offers a glimpse into the exciting world of New York City real estate.
The career path begins with a finance background and a strategic shift from wealth management to real estate, highlighting the tangible and cash flow-driven appeal of the industry.
Daily tasks involve deep dives into property analysis using strong Excel skills – absolutely critical for success! – and contribute to decisions on multi-million dollar acquisitions. The biggest challenge?
Finding those "good deals" in a competitive market, but the reward is tangible: creating spaces where people live, work, and shop, and potentially reshaping entire neighborhoods.
Networking is key, and a proactive approach to learning is essential, especially mastering Excel and financial modeling early on.
Aspiring real estate professionals should set sights on analyst positions and internships, showcasing demonstrated skills and a genuine passion for the field, ultimately building a strong track record that inspires investor confidence.
The career professional's deep understanding of finance, gained through dedicated study, makes them a valuable asset and a great resource at the firm.
This is a dynamic role where every day presents a new deal, a new challenge, and a real opportunity to impact the city landscape.
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Brian McNulty
Acquisitions Associate
Witnick Real Estate Partners
Bentley University
Bentley University - Masters in Finance
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Finance
Real Estate
Real Estate
None Applicable
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Career Path of an Acquisitions Associate at Witnick Real Estate Partners
Brian, an Acquisitions Associate at Witnick Real Estate Partners, pursued finance in both undergraduate and graduate studies and initially interned in wealth management at BNY Mellon, but realized it was "a little bit more of a sales role", so after also recognizing the appeal of real estate's tangible and cash flow aspects, transitioned to an analyst role at Mark Simcha Capital Corporation, a debt broker, for two years before landing at Witnick. Now, at Witnick Real Estate Partners, the Acquisitions Associate analyzes "value add multi-family properties in Manhattan and Brooklyn" to assess their acquisition potential.
Main Responsibilities of an Acquisitions Associate at Witnick Real Estate Partners
As an Acquisitions Associate at Witnick Real Estate Partners, Brian's primary responsibility is "underwriting, commercial real estate properties" through gathering property information like rent rolls and expenses to project cash flows and determine the building's value, ultimately leading to a bid if the purchase price aligns with their valuation. If Witnick proceeds to bid on the building, Brian also helps to "understand whether or not it's in the condition [they] thought it was in" to make sure the building is worth the valuation price.
A Day In The Life Of An Acquisitions Associate At Witnick Real Estate Partners
An acquisitions associate at Witnick Real Estate Partners begins the day by consuming news, both broadly and then focusing on real estate specific and New York City related updates, before tackling emails and new deals to underwrite. Responsibilities also include managing interns and "put[ting] together the reports that...send to our investors" at the end of each month or quarter.
Most Important Skills For An Acquisitions Associate At Witnick Real Estate Partners
Brian, an Acquisitions Associate at Witnick Real Estate Partners, emphasizes that strong "Excel skills" are paramount for success in that role, with the ability to "build very dynamic model[s]" being essential for analyzing real estate deals, as he spends "90 to 95% of the day" working in Excel. While real estate knowledge can be acquired through experience, proficiency in Excel is non-negotiable and significantly impacts hiring prospects.
Favorite Parts Of Being An Acquisitions Associate At Witnick Real Estate Partners
Brian enjoys the dynamic and unpredictable nature of being an Acquisitions Associate, noting "every day is different" because they are constantly underwriting multiple new deals, typically "four to six" daily, and refining models as new information emerges. This role's appeal lies in the potential to work on deals that could lead to significant acquisitions, such as a "$100 million" purchase, making each day unique and impactful.
Biggest Challenges For an Acquisitions Associate at Witnick Real Estate Partners
Brian, as an Acquisitions Associate at Witnick Real Estate Partners, identifies the biggest challenge as "finding good deals" amidst intense competition in the New York City real estate market, where many are vying to buy a piece of the city. Success requires getting creative enough "to make things work" in a highly competitive environment.
Favorite Parts Of Working In The Real Estate Industry As An Acquisitions Associate
Brian enjoys real estate because it offers diverse investment strategies, such as buying and holding or complete renovations that can "change effectively the whole, the building and maybe even the neighborhood." Unlike simply "growing a number on a screen," real estate allows for the tangible creation of spaces that impact people's lives positively by providing places to "live, to work, to shop."
What Type Of Person Thrives In The Real Estate Industry According To An Acquisitions Associate At Witnick Real Estate Partners
Brian, an Acquisitions Associate at Witnick Real Estate Partners, believes that those who "thrive in this industry are people that are well connected," emphasizing the importance of networking with lenders, brokers, and investors to gain a competitive edge, as "so many people do deals with people that they know or people that they like." Strong relationships with brokers, for example, can provide early access to deals and opportunities.
What an Acquisitions Associate at Witnick Real Estate Partners Wishes They Had Known Before Entering the Real Estate Industry
Brian wishes someone had emphasized the critical importance of Excel and proactive preparation before entering real estate acquisitions. To compensate for a lack of formal real estate education and internships, Brian took online financial modeling courses, which proved invaluable in demonstrating competence during job interviews and provided comfort and preparedness when "underwriting deals" in the role.
Entry-Level Positions For Aspiring Acquisitions Associates
Brian from Witnick Real Estate Partners suggests that aspiring real estate professionals should target analyst positions, which involve underwriting new deals and assisting senior staff; internships are also valuable, with Witnick typically having "two interns at any given moment". Demonstrating relevant skills, like Excel proficiency, a real estate education (through coursework or a master's program), and previous experience are crucial for landing these entry-level opportunities, showing that "they actually put in the work and the time".
Significant Career Lesson from an Acquisitions Associate at Witnick Real Estate Partners
For a successful career in real estate, building a track record is critical because, especially when raising money from investors or securing loans, "proof of success" and experience are paramount to earning trust; high net worth individuals and companies want assurance that you're a worthwhile investment. Essentially, a solid track record built through smaller deals or significant contributions at a company demonstrates the knowledge and expertise needed to handle millions of dollars effectively in a competitive environment.
College Experiences That Helped An Acquisitions Associate At Witnick Real Estate Partners Succeed
Brian focused on genuinely understanding course material instead of rote memorization, stating they "thoroughly took time to actually understand the topics," which now allows them to recall and apply knowledge effectively, making them a "go-to person" for finance and modeling issues at Witnick Real Estate Partners. The career professional believes this deep understanding has proven valuable in their career.
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